Quote Originally Posted by lightspeed
I could also effectively argue that not having enough bike is just as dangerous, especially in a place like Atlanta where everyone drives 80 MPH. I remember borrowing my buddies ninja 250 one day and riding on I85. I was more concerned with getting run-over than anything else. Sometimes you need to be able to accelerate out of danger.
In my opinion, a 250cc bike has no place in the fast lane on an Atlanta highway (though I know people who will argue otherwise). However, a GS500 / EX500 is just fine for commuting...however your argument is partly moot. Of the (stock) cars on the road, only a Corvette (or faster) will out-accelerate a 250cc bike in low gear.

The problem (as you large-cc-starter-bike-proponents routinely ignore) isn't whether its possibe to learn on a big bike.... the issue is learning safely without killing/maiming oneself. A 600cc/1000cc is not a safe way to learn. You cannot be competent about riding or the learning process of riding and believe modern 600+cc bikes are suitable for beginners. A new rider should give themselves as much leeway as possible to correct new-rider mistakes. Sportbikes are unforgiving. Only narrowly experienced/skilled riders with 3-inch chicken strips on their rear tire fail to grasp this fact.

Your experience can't apply to the OP. You had moderate (at least) experience on a motorcycle and did not have to familiarize yourself with the controls on the bike, feel of riding, and the behavior of the motorcycle all at the same time when you got a street bike.