Topic: OK I know what youre thinking.....

[eldar]

As a beginner, you should be more concerned with learning to ride then wether or not the bike impresses you, after all, once you learn to ride, your definition of impressed will most certainly change. What is more important, a reliable bike that will work, or a bike that is too much for you and may end up not being fun cause it scares a person?
IS it better to have a bike you can grow with and even use for years as a simple errand bike, or is it more important to have a bike others think is cool?

It IS better to have a learning bike that is not too big and easy to ride. You can always move up. I guess I dont know anyone who started out with a 1300 or something like that.

Sure it is my opinion but it is also close enough to be true.

[heffay]

ok... i see where we got off eldar... 
you're version of impress: cool factor
my version of impress: it gave me an overall good feeling therefore, i was impressed
everything else you say is spot on. 
btw, ernie's report was more of what i was meaning by feeling impressed with the bike.  although, i've never felt entirely comfortable on a cruiser and i always attributed it to that.  i am more at home on top of the front wheel than trailing it.

[Serenity]

I never felt that safe on the virago, bit to big.  Hocker thats a really nice thing to offer, I wish I was heading to kansas....Eldar I agree its about being safe and feeling safe, I think that can be said for anyone.

[eldar]

I to dont care for the chopper thing. honda makes a 599 that is kinda like a stripped rocket and at this time that is the closet thing I have found to our bikes.

[Uncle Ernie]

Don't know how big you are, but a 500 or 550 would be a great bike you could ride forever. There's more of them than the 400s (just not as cool).
Besides the MotoMorini, you might try an older MZ (another killer thumper).
Yamaha XS650
Kawasaki W650
>A great all 'rounder is the Suzi GS500 and 550. <

[jdigga]

I learned to ride on my XS650.  It was just the right size and easy to handle. Plus it's easy to work on.