There are countless tales and stories of people who've been in accidents and/or died that tell a different story.

I think the conventional wisdom is 'why take the risk'? You won't lose more than $500 on a 'starter bike' (lots dont' lose any money at all), and its not like bike shopping is a bad thing. A new rider should have 80hp tops.. and the lighter the bike is, the better.

Not knowing how to operate a bike is only part of the problem with tryign to start on a powerful bike... the real danger is when you *think* you have a couple of trips under your belt and *think* you have it down that you come into that corner too hot or roll that throttle too much. Yes, you can take it slow at first, but you're supposed to do that on a starter bike anyway.

The problem isn't the learning curve... the problem is the forgiveness curve for *when* (not if... when... even people who have never dropped their bikes have had close calls) you screw up.