Best Starter Bike?

I'm a new rider and I've had experience riding dirtbikes, but I've never ridden on street. I've taken a course, passed. The bike I rode was a Honda Rebel. Now, I'm looking at getting a SV650S or a Kawasaki Ninja 600, but I'm a bit nervous if it's not a right bike for me to start with on street. I'm looking for Street Bikes, not the cruisers or anything. I'm only riding the bike on street to school, work and possibly to friends' house, not going to go on the freeway for a few years until I'm fully in tune with the bike I get. Please let me know if a SV650S or a Kawasaki Ninja 600 is the best choice for me? Or recommend something different.

So far, I've heard that the two bikes I've mentioned on this post, are great starter bikes but I'd like to hear more from out there.

The Ninja 600 is way to much bike. The SV650 is an excellent bike but even so will run like a scalded dog. Be careful and get the SV. Its up to you NOT to ride over your head. Get a helmet. take a riders course. Have fun, be safe, no passengers until after 1000 miles.

i started out on a ninja 500r
i have ridden dirt bikes and mo pads allot when i was young
a 600 4 Cylinders is not a starter bike by no means
an 650sv is a starter bike but ...... not a beginners bike
it is very easy to wheelie on
i was thinking of a ninja 500r it is a good bike fast (not to get run over on ) and easy to ride ( has a mellow power band )
but what is not a starter bike is the 4cylinders

if you are not in tune with the bike it will hart you

If a SV650 S suits your height and posture I can't think of anything better. It's a sweet package (especially the motor) and good value for money. Also economical in traffic and cheap maintenance.

Maybe I'm biased: I have had a V Strom 650 (same engine and shares a lot of parts) from new and only getting bored with it after 3 years.

As said previously: don't assume a 600 sports bike is tame: far from it and not recommended for newbs of any calibre.

The SV 650 would be a very good choice. Stay away from the Ninja. Even though it's a 600, these bikes are serious performers for experiences riders. You don't want to end up an organ donor too early. Look for bikes with one or two cylinders until you get a few years experience under your belt and are ready to move up. Riding on the street in traffic is far more complex that dirt bike riding. You have to watch out or you'll get run over by the nuts out there. You may also want to look at a Buell 500. It's a good bike and priced right.

Whatever you choose, BE SAFE and careful, do the maintenance, and keep it covered or in the garage. That way, if you decide it is not the bike for you, you are in the best position trade it in. A crotch rocket? ...... Really?

If it was me and I was going to look at 650 I would look at Hyosung 650 there are 3 styles made. The motor is basically the same as SV650 They use to make susie motors and they are cheaper and just as good a motorcycle. Also they are not cheap Chinese junk.

I started out on a cruiser - a Shadow VLX (600 ccs). It's just about the perfect bike. I know you said you don't want a cruiser, but explore all your options before you choose. :-) Good luck!

If you buy a bike you'd better be SURE you aren't going to use it for something it wasn't made for. Everyone wants a fast bike but the "cruisers" are good bikes for the long haul. Think ahead and realize that you WILL be on the freeway sooner than you think. The temptation is there and you most likely will succumb to it. I rode for a little while in deserted streets but withing a few months I hit the road for a weekend of biking. When I decided to go back riding I bought a bigger bike and now I ride a couple hundred miles every Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather.