Just a couple of questions

Hi, as I was researching topics around motorbikes and considering my limitations, I decided to post here. I ask you all to be brutally honest with me, because playing Mr.Softie can cost me a few limbs and my life, and thats just negative reputation for you

But on a more serious note, I'm a small male in stature, 5'4. I do consider myself a very good bicycle rider, but now I want to take the next step onto Motorcycling if I can. I've mounted a few bikes in my times, and I've found myself sometimes overwhelmed by just the size of it all. For starters sake, am I capable of safely handling the bike during stops and in movement in terms not to my skill, but to my physical limitations? I've read about flatfooting and how it can make or break a rider, but I read too many conflicting articles, so I'd like something very definitive.

And then I'd just like to know what are good starters with my height considered. Thanks alot!  

HEY I'M 5'4" too!!!! i ride a zzr600 and i love it.  find the bike you like and have the seat shaved...it'll cost like 100-150 to do but it will make it easy enough to support the bike.  ergo's wise you are pretty much the perfect height though...  

I'm also 5'-4" and I ride a Suzuki GSX600.  I'm looking into getting the seat shaved because when I stop I can only get the balls of my feet on the ground.  I got advice from someone else on this site who said to look into uphostery shops for shaving the seat.  He said that anything else that you try to do will comprimise the handling of the bike, but if you are going to do something else, look into the possibility of lowering links.

When I was learning to ride (I'm still learning   ) I had a little Suzuki GZ250, which is more like a cruiser than a sport bike.  It was good to practice on, because it handles well, it's low to the ground, and it's very light. Not only could I get both feet on the ground, I could actually extend my legs out and touch the pavement near the front and rear wheel.  But, going from that to the Katana was a huge change.  If I had to do it over again, I would not have gotten a small cruiser to start on, because then when I went to what I really wanted, it was quite intimidating.