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Originally Posted by cadre
It's not that it's all that hard to find cheap starter bikes, it's that you want a bike that's not really the cheap starter type. If you want to save money, go older. And the CBR600 by the way, is no easier as a first bike than the GSXR. The Katana can work though. And I know a few people who have started on SV650s. But really, these bikes aren't all that much bigger than the Ninja 500 for example. I think you just want a bigger engine and are using your size as an excuse (no offense, it actually happens a lot).
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I sat on a Ninja 500 yesterday and it was pretty nice. The first Ninja I sat one was much more cramped and uncomfortable, though I didn't get the specifics of the bike. Perhaps it had a smaller frame, or was from a different year, though it seems to be that Ninjas have changed minimally over the years.
I don't think I am necessarily using my size as an excuse.. I have long arms and am a taller guy, and almost every Yamaha I sat on was uncomfortable, whereas the sportier Suzuki's and Honda's were much more comfortable to sit on, and feasibly ride. I'd likely prefer a bigger engine as well, because if I am dropping upwards of four grand on a bike, I'd like it to be something I can grow into instead of out of; and while I'm not cocky or ignorant, I know I'm a very good and observant driver, and that if I did get a bike, I wouldn't drive it like a reckless speed demon solely because I possess the ability to do so. This is mostly driven by the fact that I enjoy life and have no desire to end mine prematurely or become a paraplegic at the cost of being a moron for a few hours on a motorcycle. Accidents are accidents, but one can certainly take means to reduce the odds of this happening. Not buying a bike in the first place is likely a great way of reducing such odds, but at the same time, I think a bike would present a nice change of pace from driving a car every day.
That being said, I've found more uncomfortable sport bikes than I've found comfortable ones, and I credit that to my body type, primarily because I gather that's the primary factor in determining one's comfort on a given bike. The bigger engine sport bikes have proven to be even more uncomfortable for me, because in my experience, they require more leaning, and more weight being put on the hands and lower arms while in the process of riding. Thus, I think a hybrid sport/tourer is going to be ideal for me. Given that I'd prefer riding for more than an hour at a time in comfort, I gather I may not be that interested in a full on sport bike anyway. They look fun, but they don't seem like they would be nearly as comfortable as a bike with a more upright riding position.