Maybe 2-3k a year MAX. I would just use it for local riding mostly and fun. I hope I don’t get into track days… :naughty:
I love the z750 and z1000
I hope 2-3k isnt enough to bring out reliability issues but if your gettting an abused exotic for a good deal, it very well could. Me personally I hate wrenching on stuff (i always break something else) but i doubt you’ll keep it for more than a year or 2 and for that reason, i guess my last recommendation would be get whats cheap, and you like. You can always upgrade and all of those bike would be fun at the track which is WELLLLLL Worth it
z1000 is my fav naked bike. always has been. But it might be a little much for a first bike 
SPEED TRIPLE [my personal bike]
DUCATI MONSTER S2R
TRIUMPH SPEED FOUR
TRIUMPH STREET TRIPLE
SUZUKI SV650
ok so now after doing all that i must say i do agree with everyone who did suggest an sv650. i really love those bikes. they sound awesome with just a slipon and a fairly quick for what they are. plus not having much expierence it will be a fairly forgiving bike to learn on with maint and parts being on the cheap. on the down side they hold thier value pretty well. i remember (mind you this was almost a year ago and that gas crisis was going on) i was looking for one for myself and couldnt find a decent one i liked for less than 4k. so i waited a few months and still right around 4k. then i just said fuck it if im going to spend 4k i may as well just spend a bit more and get what i wanted.
either way be safe.
Other than the SV650, those are pretty much the bikes that I was looking at. I was thinking a Monster 620 since they aren’t too powerful or the Speed Four since it’s not as new, expensive, or powerful as the Speed Triple. Your bikes looks awesome, but I definitely think it is more than I want to start with.
I have heard people say that you really can learn on any bike if you are responsible. That being said, I don’t want to have too much power and I am looking for a bike that will be agile and good to learn on as well as being good looking and not breaking the bank. I will look into a SV 650 but it may be more expensive than the Duc or Triumph and my guess is it may be a bit more powerful (especially compared to the Monster 620).
Keep the ideas going guys. I appreciate all the input as a potential newb biker. 
after a quick check of ebaymotors it seems like you can get an 06/07 sv for right around 3k. i couldnt find any monster 620s or speed fours on there to compare pricing with but i think you wouldnt be able to get a similar year/milage/condition italian/brittish bike for 3k
now for some hp specs on a few of these bikes.
first the sv and monster are both v-twins (incase you werent aware)
04 monster 620 is about 60hp
05 sv650 is about 72hp
speed four is an inline 4cyl that puts out about 98 hp.
street triple is an 675cc inline 3 making about 107hp as compared to the speed triples 1050cc inline 3 making 131hp
granted all those numbers are factory ratings but if you are concerned about power and overall cost i think the sv is right in there with what you are looking for in a starter bike.
What about a Buell? Before you shoot the idea down, take a look at the XB9 Lightning. It was my first bike and the bike I learned to ride on. Handles very well. It’s quick, but not insanley fast, probably camparable to an SV650. However, it still retains some of that exotic factor that comes with the duc or triumph, because you dont see them everywhere. Ask willybeen about the riot we had test riding them a few summers back, he wont deny the fun factor.
you know i have never ridden a buell but i must say they have always been intreuging (sp?) they do seem to fit in just the price/power range (vtwin w/70hp and around 3-4k depending on year/milage) you are looking for and they def look cool. esp the xb9 city.
oh and the perimiter breaking is so fucking trick looking
I work at a triumph dealer.
But its to early for me to say anything of use right now
I dont have any old photos of mine handy, but it looked kinda like this one
omg a boo ell ee!!! siq
I found an 03 Triumph for $3500 clean title never laid down etc but the higher hp has me a little concerned. I occasionally see an 02-04 Monster slightly below $4k in nice condition with low miles and I might prefer the look and the lower power will help keep me in check. It sounds like a newer SV will be lower powered and cheaper so it is definitely going to be worth a look. Thanks for all this great info and input. :tup:
I will look at that as well. I had thought all of the Buell bikes were more performance oriented and higher hp. Any idea on pricing?
^inexpensive. esp for an older model.
It was a riot to ride, the dirtbike bars made it a little weird feeling at first, and power felt a little on the down side compared to an SS600, but right along the lines of the other bikes you were looking at.
Jons xb9r was hot.
lol, i’ll never forget the day i met you on it :dreamy: pop-a-stoppie in front of mighty… lol <3
God the old frames were ugly… This is for jon, dont buy this…
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/989669454.html
2003 firebolts are a bad idea as there were a few design changes that were very crucial to reliability and confidence.
After owning a buell and riding a few. I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone. Where riding a CBR/GSXR/R1 is like riding a precision machine, riding a Buell is like riding a washing machine.
lol interesting.