What kind of motorcycle should a new rider buy?

i would recommend you start off on a naked 125cc bike. buy a second hand one and if pos take someone with you who knows a bit about bike mechanics so you don't waste your money on something that's gonna break as soon as you get it home. check the bike for rust scratches caused by a crash or any damage. i would also recommend you put on a engine guard to protect the bike and its engine if you have a crash. a great 1st bike is the Honda cbf125. its relatively cheap, does over 100 mpg and is very reliable.

According to Timberwoof's Motorcycle FAQ: "The common wisdom is that you should buy a used bike for $1 to $4k depending on what you can afford. A 'naked' standard bike?one without expensive fairings?won't suffer much damage when you drop it. When you have a year or two of experience, then you'll know more about what kinds of motorcycles there are, how you ride, and what you really want. Check out www.beginnerbikes.com."

AnswerI would also recommend a bike no smaller than 550, but a "UJM" or universal Japanese motorcycle, not a sportbike. Examples would be the Suzuki gs line, Kawasaki KZ line, etc. A heavier bike is actually more forgiving, and the sit-up UJM's have very neutral handling. They're only slightly harder to pick up than a small bike if you drop them.

Additional comment:

I agree totally with Timberwoof's answer... don't buy anything that you will cause you too much grief if you tip it over... There is an old saying that holds true... there are only two types of motorcycle riders ones that have tipped their motorcyle over and ones that are going to tip their motorcycle over..

I would suggest... motor guards and cheap mirrors...also.

An automatic 50cc to 150cc then graduate up.

the best which you think is