I'm a girl, looking for the perfect beginner's sports bike...?

I'm fairly young, so I need some advice on a good beginners bike, not too fast, and not an overload to handle. I'd eventually like to move up to a higher performance bike once I gain the experience, but of course, we all have to start somewhere, and i'm not for getting in over my head, or getting hurt.

I'm 5'8" and 130 lbs.

I was looking at something like a Suzuki Katana 600, or GS500?

Respectable, useful, and honest advice only please.

Isn't that an oxymoron? Sports-bikes are all out performance bikes, high on the learning curve, not safe for beginners.

I guess there are sheep in wolves clothing, bikes that have the plastic but not the fire breathing engine or aggressive riding position. But isn't that a bit pretentious and impractical?

Form follows function.

The Honda CBR-125 is a considerably good bike for the entry-level rider. It looks very sporty yet under the hood its got as much power as a kitten. Its also quite light so it shouldn't be difficult for a beginner to handle, but mind you after a week or two the bike will seem more like a toy than anything!

The Kawasaki 250 just came out with a new body style. The older body style was real boxy, but the 2008 body is more sporty. I think it's around $4500 out the door. I am about the same size as you, and I just got a 2008 Suzuki DR-Z 400. It's kind of like a supermoto bike, but it is SUPER easy to ride.

A USED 600 anything is fine. Don't buy new until you are very well qualified.

Both of those are good choices. Also consider Suzuki SV650 and Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 500.

I personally went with a USED GS500 ... take my advice and DO NOT buy anything above 500cc ... since it's not that great of a beginner's bike... my friend bought a katana 600 and crashed it very soon after buying it... :( ... so my advice is to take a safety course and buy a used GS500 or Kawasaki 500!

Good luck riding and welcome to the riding world :)

Have a safe and fun riding season!

Kawasaki Ninja 250.

Good Luck

the suzuki SV650 should be just fine for a beginner,its not a heavy bike and with loads of torque(V2 engine)

My wife got a Suzuki SV 650 for her first bike and loves it. The seating position is better for a 1st time rider. Its not too much to handle and has plenty of power. You can find a used one for under $3,000.00

also consider the R2, you can find it on ebay for 2k right out of the box...

shipped to your house...

it's inexpensive, light, and good looking (alot like a CBR600RR)

perfect candidate for a beginner...

I would say a 500 or 600 is good.... something that is light in weight so if you drop it you can pick it up. New or used get frame sliders. Sit on the bikes and see what feels comfortable to you and if you are able to put your feet down. See if you can handle the weight.

I learned on yamaha yzf600 it was a heavy bike... sheessshh but not to torquey, and a friendly throttle bike. still looked sporty. or even the honda cbr600 not the 600rr but the cbr600 is in the same family as the yzf600 sv650 and katana.
personally the katana is an ugly bike....