I initially thought I'd want a 250cc bike when I first started looking into riding. Most of the bikes I saw at the dealerships were very intimidating. But I was warned not to buy a 250cc bike because I'd outgrow it in no time at all. I believe they were correct.

I bought a 27 year old 500 cc Honda with water cooling and a driveshaft for my first bike.

I learned on the 250cc bikes the MSF people provided. If I'd started on my 500 cc bike, I probably would have quit shortly after starting. The 250 cc bike is an excellent size to learn on.

Notice I talk about learning vs owning. Even though I actually learn something new pretty much every time I get on a bike, the MSF class taught me how to crawl. The 500 CC Honda has taught me how to walk and even trot a little.

When I finished the MSF class, I'd never ridden faster than 20 MPH, never used a turn signal, and never ridden on a city street. I corrected all those deficiencies with my first ride on my GL500 (not taken until I had a motorcycle endorsement). When I got home, I had to go to bed for a nap. Hypervigilance had exhausted me.

I'm pretty relaxed on a bike these days though I still keep a sharp eye out for others and try to keep a lot of gap between me and the next guy. BUT.... after 18 months I'm still not bored with my bike.

I've dropped it. It's a beast to get back up at 500 lbs. But at least I didn't have to hang myself, which I would if I'd dropped a $15,000 Harley.

500-600 cc is plenty of engine to go anywhere you want to go. I ride down the interstate all the time and never have trouble keeping up. And with a 10,000 RPM redline, I can out accelerate most cars easily.

I am going to disagree a bit with 600cc being a good first bike for someone who has not ridden before.

There is a reason why most motorcycle courses use 250cc bikes for their classes. They are lighter, more maneuverable and easier to pick up if dropped. If someone has not ridden a motorcycle before, go find a small used motorcycle and use it to learn. You may start shopping for a bigger bike soon after, but use the smaller frame to get over the learning curve.

And take a motorcycle course. Many states require it, but take it even if they don't. The training you get there will be invaluable, particularly the first time you have an emergency and the training kicks in.

This question has been asked over and over again, and honestly, the real answer is: IT DEPENDS.

I rode a couple dirt bikes growing up, but never considered myself a motocross guy or really even a dirt bike guy. I loved riding, but only had an old 70's dual sport or my friends new motox bikes to ride around.

I decided to get into motorcycling last summer, when I was 20, and went from site to site trying to find a good "beginners bike." Answers ranged from anywhere from an XL250 to a CBR600. Truth is - it's up to you to decide.

I took the MSC (Motorcycle Safety Course) at a local high school before a bought a bike. Although it seems pretty boring and I always wanted to go faster, it DOES teach you need-to-know fundamentals that even "experienced" riders seem to forget. Learning how to countersteer and panic stop on a little Suzuki 250 in a parking lot is much easier than on a ZX7 on a highway.

Go take a Learner's Test, get your license and ride as many bikes as possible before you buy your first bike. I rode everything I could get my hands on - XL650s, Suzuki 250s, CB500s, even went to a couple dealerships in my area just to sit on bikes and find one that was comfortable.

In the end, I found a sweet deal on an older Honda VFR700F. Insurance is cheap - $120/year with only liability. (I'm 21 years old, male, no tickets). Granted, it seemed like a monster the first time I rode it, it had more hp than my first car (an 89 Civic), but after a week or two getting to learn the bike on back country roads, I am in love with it.

If I had not taken the safety course, or rode other bikes, I would not have bought the bike I have. If it were not for the safety course, I would have not felt confident on a larger, more powerful bike and may have laid it down. If I had not rode other bikes, I may of settled for a smaller bike which I could not have taken the trips I have taken on my bike.

Money - the other issue. If we all had large amount of money, the best way to learn would to be 250 to 450 to 500 to 600+, but no one has the time or money to do all that purchasing and selling.

Also, remember to always dress for the crash. I haven't wrecked - yet - but I always wear a helmet and gloves. I need to wear and jacket and riding pants, but I don't have the money for them yet - so I am a bit of a hypocrite.

This question depends upon what style of bike you're looking for. i.e. a 600cc sportbike is still going to be a lot faster than an 800cc cruiser.

For a sportbike, something around 600 to 650cc should be reasonable to start on. Anything more powerful might be too much bike.

For a cruiser, 600-900cc would be a good starter size. Anything smaller than 600 in a cruiser and you won't even last one season before wanting a bigger one.

For a first bike, pick up a used one. You can usually find good deals on Craigslist. The likelihood of you dropping it while stopped is pretty high for a beginner. In addition to saving you money, you'll learn the limits of your riding ability if you're not in constant fear of dropping your new $10,000 bike.

Don't be surprised if you start getting the itch for a bigger bike, even after the first season. On the other hand, don't try to shortcut your way straight to your dream bike before learning the ropes.

Biking's a life-long sport, so don't rush the important stuff, like learning your bike's limits and how to deal with bad drivers. Also, do yourself a favor and get a good helmet and a proper biking jacket.

Take a motorcycle safety foundation class first their web site is www.msf-USA.com . You learn on little 125 to 250cc bikes like the Honda rebel or a little ninja. then you can decided from there. That is the best way to go really because most states have made it mandatory anyway and if they haven't they will use the course as your test anyway and you save money on. Your insurance as well it's just my oppion find out how comfortable yo are in class then chose a bike.