def take the MSF course, easily worth it.
prob go with a 600 or 750 as a starter cuz you will outgrow anything smaller within your first year. just find one that feels comfortable to you. as for price range, i bought new, my roommate bought used its whatever you can afford really. i dont buy into the whole “everyone drops their first bike” thing. take the msf course and dont be an idiot and the only reason you should drop your bike should be if someone hits you or road condition related (which with experience becomes less of a problem)