I am also of the opinion that you should start small with a metric cruiser for a year or two and then move to a bigger bike. Newbie's tend to drop bikes at slow speeds, in gas stations, parking, etc. Even a small drop can cause a lot of dollar damage to a new bike.

But more important then the bike is YOU. It takes awhile to become a skilled rider. My rule is one riding season to attain real basic skills, and two riding seasons to become a skilled rider. From what I remember, the shorter time you've been riding, the more likely you are to get into an accident. So do yourself a favor and get a smaller, easier to control bike, learn to be a good rider, and then move up to whatever you want. You are worth it.

 

Go to a dealership...look and sit on the bikes you like...rent or test ride the ones you've narrowed it down to...check the price and your finances...take it home. Simple.

 

You are right picking and purchasing the bike should be the easy part, figuring out where to put your gas cap during fill up and what oil to run is where the difficulty starts LOL

 

That goes without saying. And don't forget what patches to wear or not.

 

FWIW, I rode dirt bikes a lot as a kid, and my first 'real' street bike was a sportster 883. I had ridden some of the bigger bikes, but wasn't comfortable with them. I think starting out on the smaller, more manageable bike really helped. YMMV.

 

To add to that, if you have your M license, some of the dealerships have Demo Days where they bring in a truckload of bikes. You can ride yourself silly trying everything out.

 

Welcome to the forum from Malaysia..never buy a bike before actually test riding it first.

 

Regarding which bike for a newbie, I'm in the smaller, lighter, less expensive camp. If you have an opportunity for some off road/dirt riding, that will certainly accelerate your skills. If you will be taking the MSF intro course, they will be supplying the bike [I don't know of any intro course that they don't - and it will be a smaller, lighter, less expensive bike; probably in the 125-250cc range]

Once you get out on the road, don't be intimidated but ride like everyone is out to get you. "Defensive driving" on steroids. Be safe and enjoy.

 

Let's not forget Helmet/no helmet? Skid lid or full face?

 

It is mandatory that you start with a minibike, preferably a honda Z-50 minitrail.
Welcome to the forum!