Need advice on first bike--'95 CB1000 vs modern streetfighters

I've read all the forums that say its a bad idea to get 600 and 1000cc sports bikes if you have no riding experience. The thing is, I'm 6'5" tall and 220lbs, and I think a 250 or the like would be way too small for me. I don't want to look like an orangutan on a tricycle! Even 600s feel a bit small for me.  What I really want to get is a Triumph 675 or a GSXR 750, but I can guess from previous posts that the experienced riders on this forum will advise against that. So, what about a 1995 Honda CB 1000? It's a bit heavy but I don't think it's as powerful as current 600s, it has no fairings to damage, it has a more upright riding position, and it's big enough that I wouldn't be uncomfortable on it. Other bikes I'm considering starting on are the triumph street triple, and the ducati monster 696. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks! btw I'm 31, love speed, but will definitely respect my limits and take a responsible approach to riding (taking the rider courses and learning gradually).  

well in my opinion they can be wrong, if you have discipline. I started riding at 23. I was 6'4 240lbs. and I started on an 82' cb 900 bored over by 30. I really had no business riding that type of bike but I respected it. I did make some mistakes, however none of them causing any loss of flesh or broken ones or equipment. just take it slowly and when you get comfortable pay even more attention to what your doing, because thats when the mistakes happen at least for me they all happened when I got too comfortable.Oh and no one loves speed more than but remember at 31 you dont heal as quickly. I'm now 38 and on my third bike TLR 1000. yeah it's a little small but it's a lot of fun. So good luck , have fun and pay attention!  

Thanks for the advice! I'm actually leaning towards getting the monster though, after seeing a beautiful pearl white one in a parking garage the other day. It seems like a relatively easy bike to control and everyone says they're fun to ride. If I can manage to avoid crashing, I'll sell it next year and buy a daytona 675 or gixer 750.  

Im 21 in august and the only riding experience i have is on street bikes. i got my first 99 F4 in sept. '05 crashed (over ridding the headlight, then riders fixation...inexperience) in nov. '05 then got an 01 gsxr 600 in June 2006 and upgraded again in aug. '07 to and '06 gsxr 1000. Im 5'6 about 150lbs and all i have to say is if you can control yourself you should be fine on a 1000 but if you cant control yourself even for just a second dont even think about it.... have fun be safe.  

I like your idea of getting the Monster first and selling it in a year - very smart.  Try to get a used one if you can - that way you'll hardly lose any money between your purchase and eventual sale price.  

It's definitely a better first bike than the 675 or GSX-R750 because it's more upright and easier to handle.  After you get an aftermarket slip-on exhaust for it, you may not want to sell it!

My first bike was the naked SV650 (similar ergos) - it was way more fun to just jump on that bike for cruising around town than on my current bike (R6).  

I started on the GSX-R600... I respect me bike I been riding now for a month and a half. It's all about respect, respect for how much you paid for the bike, how much you love yourself, and how much you respect the power... I ready to move u in my opinion the 600 is very powerful. However, after awhile you'll want a bike that can stand up to anything on plant earth that the law will allow on the streets. I want the hayabusa now. Though it's the safest bet, you be bored if you start to small.  

Thanks for all the advice so far. I have my motorcycle safety course next week and am getting really excited about riding. I've been riding my cousin's 2007 R1 around and I love it. Anyway, I'm leaning towards getting a 2002 cbr f4i at this point. Although it feels pretty small, it's cheap enough and I hope it will be a good starter bike. I figure if I get bored with it (or it's just too uncomfortable because of the small size), I'll just sell it next spring and get something bigger.  

IF you think you're getting bored with your F4i, try taking it to a track day event.  You'll find that bike a lot of fun on the track.  Also, swap the stock 16 tooth front sprocket with a 15 and +2 on the rear if you need a little extra boost. Lookup 520 conversion kit to see what I'm talking about.
Also, new spark plugs can make a nice performance gain, too if they haven't been changed.  

Use Grip Roads & use bmw bike.  

Thanks again to everyone for all the advice. I was going to get an f4i, but I ran into a great deal on a 2004 cbr 600rr, so I got that instead.  I really love the bike and am taking it easy on it and practicing turns, stopping, countersteering, and other skills I learned during the motorcycle safety course. Next spring, I'll consider a triumph speed triple.  

Thanks, I'll take my cbr to the track as soon as I get more comfortable with it. I would love to take a racing course as well.  

wow. im 5'10''...thats no 6'5" but i would never recommend  anyone to ever get a 1000 cc bike PERIOD. First of all in my opinion You loose a lot of handling. For me i enjoy riding turns and leaing my bike as hard as   possible. with the daytona...ive ridden it, the rear end is really high obviously it can be lowered,  a guy i ride with CAN NOT turn is for his life. He is really short which i think is the problem. The bike is meant to handle well with the low front end but i would not recommend that again. I dont think it offers wat u want in a first bike. With the gsxr ive ridden one once. they handle VERY VERY WELL most first bikes happend to be gsxrs. With that note, i hate gsxrs and would never ride one. Thats all im gonna say about that cause im sure im gonna piss some people off. Again, most *** bags that cant ride start with 1000cc bikes. Have u looked at the Kawasaki 636 i think they disconnected in 05'. There great bikes and handle well  also the cbr 600!!! i <33 the cbr f4i..hope i helped  

also have u looked at the kaytona?? i honestly dont know much about it but a guy i ride with had one and hes 6'9"...he likes it. ive never ridden it so i wouldn't know   much about the handling