Cali_Ed - I started with a 250 myself, for the same reason you're talking about. It wasn't bad, fun little bike, a Honda VTR 250. I outgrew it quickly though and went to a CBR600 (which I owned for 10 weeks before a lady totaled me out on it). Then I had a couple of 750 Suzukis, and gave up riding after I came to Houston.