Well from being an experienced rider for about 4 years now i have seen that alot of dudes have given great advice. So i will just add to some of that. First off if you are a beginner the best thing to do by far is take the safety course. I had the chance to take them but i never did because in new jersey getting into these courses is like not impossible but you wait a long time because they always fill up real fast. Luckily i got to ride with a few experienced riders that taught me everything that i need to know. Some of them actual trainers at the safety course. I did go for lessons though for the actual test there was a company that taught you what you need to do to pass the motor vehicle test and also i rented a scooter from them to take the test. No longer new jersey will let you use a scooter and now you either have to use a 250cc bike or your own whichever you have. I saw somebody mention about gloves,helmet,jacket,boots. Pants you can wear jeans cause mostly everyone does because on the street i dont think your a moto gp star but i do see some that do so im not knocking them. I wear them when i race up at pocono race way in pa but i use a full leather suit. Next is the type of bike you want to start off with as a beginner. I started on a 600 and i think that was a wise choice by my part. If you start off with a 250 up to a 500 you will grow out of it quick so personal opinion start off right. I have also seen kids walk into a store to purchase a higher cc motorcycle, 750cc,1000,etc thinking they can handle the machine only to kill themselves in a week. The key to riding any motorcycle is that you need to respect the machine. If you don't then thats where you put your life in danger. I have had many friends go down and i have seen and helped out in many crashes. Example of some of the crashes were shattering knee caps, broken vibrates in back, severe road rash on top of my buddies back why cause he had no JACKET!!! broken wrists, legs, you get my drift. Now some of them were not respecting the bike and taking it to the next level and some were avoiding other drivers on the road from being cut off etc. So the moral of some of that is what i stated before just respect the machine and watch your surroundings like other drivers because they hate bikes and reason behind that some of the "show off" riders out there give the safe riders a bad name. I played the show off game before and im lucky to still be around doing stand ups on the highway and topping your bike out at 175 isn't all what its hyped up to be save it for the track or a empty parking lot you can mess around in with noone around. Because your not taking your own life you could be taking somebody elses as well. Ride the bike the way its suppose to be riden. Safe riding, hope all goes well, and hope some of my advice will be put to good use not just for yourself but for others. Enjoy!!
One more thing i saw you mention something about 04 05 or 05 06 bikes that your looking for.
Cbr is more of a track style bike. Handles well even better with a steering dampener but for long rides very uncomfortable but it has alot of potiental though.
Gixxer's i ride a 05 600 and absolutley love it. Long rides its great, the power is there, comes with steering dampener already built in, has all good qualities in one.
Kawa im a fan of them i saw someone mention a 636 very good bike i have a few friends that ride them. I can't shed to much on them because i never road one so maybe you can do some research.
Yamaha is a good bike. I have road both the 6 and r1 def has alot of potenital, comfort is good, handling depends on the years but nothing that a steering dampener wouldn't fix.
Ducati great bike!! but you gotta have the money to spend so thats all im going to say.
So there is some knowledge on that. Good luck
