Thread: I'm a girl, looking for the perfect beginner's sports bike...?

I'm fairly young, so I need some advice on a good beginners bike, not too fast, and not an overload to handle. I'd eventually like to move up to a higher performance bike once I gain the experience, but of course, we all have to start somewhere, and i'm not for getting in over my head, or getting hurt.

I'm 5'8" and 130 lbs.

I was looking at something like a Suzuki Katana 600, or GS500?

Respectable, useful, and honest advice only please.

The Honda CBR-125 is a considerably good bike for the entry-level rider. It looks very sporty yet under the hood its got as much power as a kitten. Its also quite light so it shouldn't be difficult for a beginner to handle, but mind you after a week or two the bike will seem more like a toy than anything!

Isn't that an oxymoron? Sports-bikes are all out performance bikes, high on the learning curve, not safe for beginners.

I guess there are sheep in wolves clothing, bikes that have the plastic but not the fire breathing engine or aggressive riding position. But isn't that a bit pretentious and impractical?