I need some advice

I am a 16 year old male, 6'2 200lbs. I've been looking into taking the MSF course and then saving up to buy a sports bike. Now, I know I want a bike somewhere between 600-750cc. Because I want something that I can start off with, but I dont want to out grow it. And I know alot of ya'll probably think 16 is too young. But in my family, riding motorcycles are a common thing for the males in the family. Anyway, I also wanted advice on what kind of gear to buy. I live in florida, so you can guess what the weather is like. I am going to save and buy a sports bike in the price range of 2-3 thousand dollars. So maybe that will help. I am open to any manufacturer, I'm not really partial to any specific one. So please, give as much advice as you can handle. Greatly appreciated!
Anthony

You are going to be cramped on a 600cc (and probably even 750cc) bike. Take the MSF course, then I would probably buy a used SV1000, get used to the power and the feel of the bike. Then sell the SV, and buy a 1000cc sportbike. This will be your safest and best bet.

Gear, look for a brand name helmet (Arai, HJC, shoei), get a nice jacket (perforated leather or mesh with kevlar), and then decide if you really are going to be wearing more gear than that before buying more.

hmmmm.... and you dont think a newbie on a 1000 is suicide like everyone else?

My dad is 6'4" and is fairly comfortable on his VFR800 Interceptor. If he didn't have so many back/back-related problems, he could probably get away with a 600 such as the F4i which is a relatively relaxed bike.

I wouldn't go for the 1000, to be honest. There are other options, although they won't be perfect, they can last you for a few years until you find a bike you can really be comfortable on.

Cool, thanks.
Anybody have any ideas on the bike i should get? Like the model and manufacturer. Greatly appreciated.

hmmmm.... and you dont think a newbie on a 1000 is suicide like everyone else?

I do think a newbie on a 1000 is suicide, I am one of the main arguers for that point here. But that is why I suggested getting a SV1000 (or 650) first, they do not have nearly the amount of power as the 1000cc sportbikes, although the sv1000 is damn fast still. However you are a pretty big guy, and you are not going to be able to start out on a really small bike and be totally comfortable. Have you thought of maybe starting on a cruiser, then moving into a sportbike when you are ready? Cruiser will give you a hell of a lot more comfort riding, and you can find good ones for about your price range.

Well, I'm really leaning towards a sports bike, dont want to get distracted with cruisers. Plus I dont want to save up and buy something I truly dont want. I have found nice reliable bikes in my price range, lots actually. Just wondering about narrowing it down to bikes that people have rode or own and can tell me a little about. Thanks for the advice everyone. Feel free to give more (till your blue in the face) I am checking this message board on a regular basis so hopefully i can ensure a quick response on my part. I am going on a trip tomorrow, but i will try to get to a computer to check this board as much as possible. Thank you all, I really really appreciate the insight.

for instance, check this out
http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/5/4/69960254.htm

I've really been thinking about getting a katana. cc's i'm not 100% sure of yet but they seem comfortable. A friend of mine has a katana 650 and I rode on the back with him and it was a very comfortable ride. He let me check out the front seat ( not driving) and it seemed nice. What do ya'll think about a katana? Good...Bad??? Give me your advice.

While the Katana (or Kat as you'll sometimes hear) is often "bashed" for it's lack of power as a 600, it's still 2 wheels with a lot less weight than a car, and it will still MOVE. Some generations are not known for good service, but off the top of my head, I couldn't say what years are good/bad/or ugly.

The Suzuki Katana has a VERY relaxed seating position. Heck, if you want to hunt for a bike, you could get a Yamaha Seca II. It's VERY upright for me at 5'10", and while my dad wouldn't pick it for a bike of his own, he can ride it without wanting to die from being cramped up on it.

The R6 is going to be a VERY bad idea b/c it's a small bike to start, and it only gets worse as you get taller.

The F4i was a very comfortable bike, IMHO. Again, I am 5'10" and I would really consider it for my next bike (being realistic).

Yamah Seca II, very beautiful bike, and your right about it being upright. But i like it. The only thing i disliked was that the 90s models (which i didnt look at anything newer) dont have the full sports bike cover. Its not covered on the sides near the bottor. But very beautiful and will consider this bike when my wallet is full. Thank you saturntangerine you have been very helpful. If you can think of any sports bikes 90's models 2-3 thousand, 600-750cc, bikes like the seca II, please let me know. You seem to know alot about this. Thank you very very much!

The Seca II has an optional "lower fairing" so it doesn't look QUITE as naked. Just something to remember.

Very cool, so is the optional lower fairing something that I just have to look for on the bikes that consider. Or is it an accessory that I have to buy?

have any pictures by the way?

The lower fairing is sometimes already on the bike, and sometimes you have to find one to purchase. MY Seca doesn't have the lower fairing, but I like it just the way it is. There is another Seca II in my hometown that has it, and it looks good as well. I'll see if I can dig up some pics somewhere. Now, it's not a full fairing by any means, but it covers up a lil more of the front end than just the half fairing that is on all of them.

Oh, I almost forgot. If you are interested in this bike, though it is a 600, it's very forgiving stock. Now, I have the full 4-1 Vance and Hines exhaust, I rejetted the carbs, and I removed the stock airbox, and there is a NOTICABLE change in the low end (I haven't adjusted the carbs properly to have a good top end yet). So, it's possible to get a lil more power out of it if/when you want it.

The Seca II goes by MANY names. It is known as the Seca II, XJ600S, and in Europe, the Diversion. I searched a long time before I found one, but luckily b/c they are sort of the "odd duck" of the Yamaha family, the demand is relatively low, and so are prices. I found a pic of the Diversion (the Seca's name in Europe) with a lower fairing.

http://www.tcpsa.com/yamaha/xjs600b.jpg