New rider needing advice

I have read the new rider sticky and i am a bit confused now. The main point of the article is to discourage new riders from choosing a 600cc bike as their first bike but the recommendations at the bottom are mostly older 600s. Is there some major difference between older and newer 600s?

basic info- 20 year old male 5'8" 140lbs but can lift a 750cc 600lb bike (picked up a friends toppled bike). I have previous dirt bike knowledge but as i have now read it doesn't really mean a hill of beans.

Also i have a few bikes i have been looking out while trolling craigslist and would like some of the experienced riders feedback and advice on these bikes.

1. i am not particularly fond of the ninja250s. I have a few friends who own them and they claim i will be "run over on highways". Are they exaggerating?

2. I do like the buell blast for its looks and 70mpg and the fact that it is a 500cc. However a few experienced (by which i mean riders in their thirty to forties) claim it to be a "bitch bike" when i expressed my interest in it to them. Why does it carry such a negative connotation? I have also read mixed reviews on its reliability as well. Can anyone clear these up for me?

3. I have found a 1992 Cbr600 (a 600 actually recommended in the sticky) for $800. the seller took the tank and fairings off to paint them but never did and is such selling it like a project bike. It is apparently in decent shape and runs but needs brake lines an clip-ons. It has a clean title and 36k miles on it. Should i be skeptical of the seller or is this a good deal that i can put together with the help of an experienced friends dad?

4. i have a budget of <$2000.

So please any and all advice is welcome and if you have another recommendation for a beginner bike that i have overlooked please feel free to suggest it.  

I believe the Buell Blast was more appealing to women because it came with a lower seat option from the factory, which helped most women reach the ground easily. Because of this option women tended to like this bike. I do not have any experience with the bike as far as reliability, but the particular CBR600 you mentioned as an alternative sounds like a lot of unknowns.

Your comment, “I have previous dirt bike knowledge” is vague and not clear at all. Did you ride dirt bikes for 10 years, or did you borrow your friend’s xr100 for a few rides? Yes, there is a difference between dirt and street, but your experience on dirt does translate into your total riding skill. I’ll assume for this post you have very little experience.

Since you are starting out, you might consider going with the Ninja 250, or the new CBR250 from Honda. Both are great bikes to start with and the smaller 250 bikes can help you become a better rider. If you want something a little bigger, go with the Blast or a Kawasaki 650R. And yes, an old CBR600 from the 90’s is very, very different from a new CBR600RR.

Lastly, best to disregard advice from people who give knee-jerk opinions on motorcycles and offer no evidence to support their claims, like “that’s a chick bike” and “you’ll get run over on a 250”. I’m not sure what the speed limit is where your friends live, but the Ninja 250 will go well over 100 mph.

Make sure you buy some quality riding gear too.  

Thank you very much for your advice. By previous knowledge yes i ment i have owned and rode one for much of my teens. The only problem with the new cbr250 is once again the funds i have available.
The information i have from the seller of the cbr is that the engine is good and runs without a hitch, the tank and fairings are in good condition but have been removed because he wanted painted but he didnt have the money to get around to it. He did mention that it needs brake lines and clip-ones.
I will start looking for 250's now that that has been clarified. =)
And i will most certainly look into to gear now to.  

As one of the post noted the 600RR and older F2/F3 are much different and I'd agree with that poster's bike suggestions. As previous owner of an CBR600F4i (which I loved) I'd recommend that bike to a rider with at least some experience. When I returned to riding over 14 years ago I selected a Ninja/Ex500 Kawi. A great beginners bike that was very rider friendly.

The older 600 you described sounded a bit suspect and may cost you more than if you found a good clean one for around $2K unless you're good mechanically.

No matter what you choose take the appropriate riding classes and take time to improve your skills.

Good luck.  

Dirt experience is valuable insofar as it means that you know what it feels like when the tires are slipping and you know something about how to react to that slipping.  The biggest hole in your bike handling skills that dirt experience doesn't fill is front wheel braking.  Dirt riders use the front brake far less.

IMO, the best type of street bike for street beginners is a dual sport single.  If you try to go quickly while riding trials univeral tires on pavement you will get lots of experience with squirming rubber while running at lower speeds.  Second hand 250cc through 650cc dual sport singles are within your budget too.