What is a great beginner motorcycle? Reliable, comfortable, and has some style. Any suggestions?

I have just recently decided to explore the possiblity of owing a bike. I was leaning towards a cruiser since I heard they are great beginner bikes. I am just not that familar with them. I have heard nothing but great things about owning one and thought now might be a good time to get one. Any advice will help and be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I have just recently decided to explore the possibility of owning a bike. I was leaning towards a cruiser since I heard they are great beginner bikes. Probably nothing bigger than a 600cc. I am just not that familar with them. I have heard nothing but great things about owning one and thought now might be a good time to get one. Any advice will help and be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
P.S. I'm in the U.S.

When you first get on a bike and start riding let me tell you what your MAIN concern will be....unfortunately this only happens AFTER you bought the bike so by then its too late to change it so listen up my 2 wheeled brother and take heed of my advice.

Rule #1
If you plan on riding streets only the lighter the bike the better and if you are wanting a bike just for fun and not commuting to a job etc.. then a Ninja 250 is best

Rule #2
However when getting a bike that will be riding on the freeway
you need a bike with weight at least 400lbs or more as a lighter bike will blow around a lot on the freeway and you'll regret getting that like bike. You want, in that instance something heavier such as the Suzuki Katana 600

Rule #3
Now when it comes to freeway riding its completely and totally a different world than basic street riding. You must, have, at least a 600cc powered bike to feel safe on the freeway (and to be safe). On a 500cc bike or less you just don't have the get-up-and-go and move away from the semi truck-power that you need so minimum 600cc if you plan on riding freeways.

So there is no 1 right answer. The guy that wants to ride on the streets around their city is better off with a Ninja 250 thats light and great on gas.

The guy that wants to commute 30 miles on a freeway is better with a bike that is 600cc or more and heavier.

So ask yourself those questions...am I going to be riding on the streets? So go lighter...If you will be going freeways get a suzuki katana used, dirt cheap.

Best used bike Ninja 250cc For streets
Best freeway bike lowest cost Suzuki Katana 600 or 750cc

Depends on the CC your looking at and what country your in.

I would go with a honda or yamaha..

I picked up an almost new <125 miles on it> Yamaha V Star 1100 cruiser last year.
The wife and I love it.

The 600 will be ok for one person, but not two on it. It won鈥檛 have the power.

I thought about a smaller cc bike <crotch rocket> type, and thought a bit. Then I decided, if I buy a small cc bike now and later in the season I upgrade to the bigger, or I just buy a bigger now and won鈥檛 have to try and re-sell the smaller to buy the bigger. So I just went to the bigger and will probably keep it for several years.

Ride safe and with pride

Cruisers:
Honda Rebel
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Honda Knighthawk
Kawasaki Eliminator 125
Yamaha Virago 250


More sporty:
Suzuki GS500
Honda Hawk
Kawasaki Ninja 500

Look at the Honda ShadowAero 750. Believe me its the perfect bike to start with. And you might just keep it around for a very long time. Its hard to get tired of this bike. Its balanced so well that it is very easy to handle. Good luck.

honda shadow or the yamaha v-star both great beginner bikes.

cruisers are NOT comfortable
cruisers are heavy and underpowered

go with a standard, bike like a Suzuki GS500, or SV 650
or a Yamaha FZ6

the Ninja 25cc is a sport bike as for cruisers the Honda Shadow 500cc is a great starter bike for a beginner make sure you get all the safety gear as far as helmet,gloves and boots that cover your ankles as well as taking a MSF course in your area

I got a Honda VLX deluxe 600 for my first bike and love it. It has enough power to do anything you'd want it to, other than long term touring perhaps. Also, even though it's not fuel injected, the engine will start under almost any conditions. I drove mine on a 15 degree morning and it was fine, I was astonished. Mine was used so it was a good deal and seems to be holding value really well. There aren't as many customizing options as with bigger bikes, but I've been able to make it look as custom as I would want. The only downside is that the stock seat sucks. My butt would get numb after about 20 minutes of riding. I replaced it with a Mustang and its just about perfect.

Most importantly I have yet to drop this bike in 8 months of beginner riding and I attribute that to the nice low center of gravity and relative lightness. It's real easy to get back under control if you lose your balance a little as you come to a stop. Additionally you can twist the throttle as hard as you want and never feel like it's going to come out from under you.

Overall a fantastic beginner bike with plenty of chrome and accessories to keep you entertained.