Quote Originally Posted by lightspeed
If you are speed-addicted like most sportbike riders, dont waste your time or money on a slow, little bike, unless you really want a slow, little bike. In Atlanta, you need the power to get around stupid-ass SUV's who dont pay attention. I wouldnt get anything smaller than a 600. The newer 600's are so fast that you could probably be fully satisfied with that forever. I would not suggest anything smaller though.
My first bike was a cbr600f4, but within 6 months I bought a gsxr750, then a hyabusa in another 6 months (and no, not because I wrecked them...I had them at the same time, until I sold the others) I just got addicted to the speed and wanted more and more. I did get tired of the hyabusa quickly (too big, more clumsy handling,) but I stayed with liter bikes. Granted, a modern 600 is more bike than any rider can fully use, esp on the street, but you cant argue with displacement when it comes to modern sportbikes (in a straight line.)
If I was you, and you have the money, get a new gsxr750. Thats probably the best combination of speed and handling you are going to find.
The bike only goes as fast as you turn the throttle. As long as you can handle the way a sportbike feels, you dont have to haul ass all the time. Just ride it as cautiously as you want.
Take this from someone who spent a lot of f'ing money figuring this out on their own. Buy the biggest bike you can possible stand, and grow into it. Dont waste thousands of dollars trading around.

u know if you posted this on some of the motorcycle forums like georgia sport bike you would get flamed sooooooo bad right now...AKA squid.....dude if you wanna learn go take MSF and get urself a goo starter...bikes will sell fer the same price u bought em for....leanr how to ride safely and right...then come the expireience you can choose your bike that you want...you'll live longer to enjoy that you did it in steps