theres also the V-Star classic thats 650cc and a damn nice looking bike. personally I’m looking at the V-Star 250 for my first bike, and after I ride the heck out of it, get the feel of only having 2 wheels beneath me, and so on and so forth, then I’ll move up to the next bike, having recouped almost all the money spent on the 250 due to 250’s having amazing resale value. yeah I won’t be able to take it for cross country road trips comfortably (though if you’re determained people can and HAVE crossed the country on all manner of bikes, even some lady I heard about on another motorcycle forum doing cross country trips on a 7- or 90cc scooter from the 60’s)
every time I look at a thread talking about getting a 1000+ cc bike as their first bike, I’m reminded of when I picked up a Schwinn mountain bike. I had to sign a waiver stating that I understood that just because my BIKE was capable of taking the rough and ready mountain trails, that didn’t mean that I was able to, and should ride to my level of experience. the difference being that on a mountain bike (or high end street bike) it’s largely only speed and location where you’ll run into trouble, not the bike itself. however the bigger bike you get, the more out of your depth you’ll be, and most people have the tendency, if even just a little, to try to push the limits of what they’re on. with a 250, there’s not nearly as much limit to push as the 1000+ and thats another reason to start smaller.
I started driving on an old 83 escort, I know I’m a safer driver than I would have been if I’d started in a new ford mustang. and I’ve never met anyone who won’t speed at least a bit if you put them in a fast car, unless they’re already terrified of driving to begin with.