First Sport-bike Recommendation?

I'm a 16 year old boy looking for suggestions on an entry level sport-bike.

Since I'm planning to go to college in my native Southern California weather is not really a problem.

I'm asking this early because I plan to buy it after senior year once I've saved up enough from working.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. A sport-bike; naked would be fine but preferably covered engine, even though trial bikes and cruisers can be good they are not at all what I'm looking for.

2. I live in California and as you may know everything basically relies on freeways and highways which mean two things:
-Mileage; good gas mileage is a must 30 mpg
-Power; 400-650cc I need a bike that doesn't red line on the freeway, I don't want to get crazy with Hyper sports but I want to feel like I'm riding a sport-bike especially one that I won't get bored with after a year or two.

3.$3500-7500 Used or New; It doesn't matter how great it is, if I can't pay for it what's the point.

Thanks for everyone who takes the time to give me a thoughtful answer to my painfully specific question!

phobosnos - i live in LA, and i dont move slowly...believe me... rofl... no-one who owns a bike here and actually KNOWS how to ride move slowly. traffic is just an excuse for people who are scared for squids.

get a suzuki SV650. great bike.

A Suzuki SV650 is a nice first bike, as would be a Yamaha R6, Honda 600 F3, 600 F4i, 600RR, Kawasaki ZX6R, Suzuki GSXR600, Suzuki Katana 600, Bandit 600... basically any 600cc sportbike made from 1995 on would suit your requirements nicely.

A 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 is a nice choice as a beginners bike as well, completely redesigned in 2008 and under $4K brand new, check it out.

Suzuki SV650
Ducati 748, Ducati 749, Ducati Monster series (690 area)
Suzuki GSX650F
Honda 599
Honda CBR600F4i
Yamaha FZ-6
Yamaha YZF 600R
Kawasaki Ninja 650R
Kawasaki Ninja 500R

Sit on all these bikes if you can. You will learn about their different types of engines, handling, price, and ergonomics. It's what you feel comfortable on because in the end it's not the bike, it's the rider.

I'm a Ducati Enthusiast so I'm trying to be objective

anything 600 cc or less would be a great starter...

get what you can find for your first bike, it isn't supposed to be perfect, and you will likely drop it a couple times anyway...

keep the revvs low, and learn how to ride before pushing your limits...

good luck...

Well, if your in LA, you will be moving very slowly... wouldnt want a bigger 450-600cc engine unless you had some open roads. My suggestion would be a Ninja 250. They are hard to find, but worth it if you do find one.

The SV650 definitely gets my vote also.

Good choices listed so far but check your insurance first some bikes can be cheap to buy but horribly expensive to insure

Really, you should be fine with anything like a Kawasaki Ninja 500 or Suzuki Katana from 600cc to 750cc. I think 400cc is a little unrealistic, small, and just plain uncommon for a sports bike. Good thing you are looking above a 250 though. I would stick around in that 600 to 750 range. That way, even if you do get tired of the bike (you want something more powerful), it would be better than being stuck with a 250 or 500cc. I don't think any bike will be "red-lining" on the freeway. As long as you are riding properly (shifting the gears like you're supposed to) then you'll be fine. A Ninja 250 can handle it self on the freeway well past 100MPH. Do I recommend it? No.

But really, anything you find between 500cc and 750cc (or even 800) that is a sport (full cover or naked) bike, go for it. I would suggest a used bike though.

Good luck.