[The Black Knight]

I'll have to also recommend starting on something small. I realize the OP isn't interested in any kind of "sportbike" but honestly, you're going to get way more for the bike than what you pay for.

Especially with the offerings from Kawasaki. You can't beat the prices for the used 250's and the new 300's are slick looking little bikes.

I'm going to also echo what others have said as well. Buy used and don't worry about dropping the bike. Invest in good riding gear(but not too expensive) and be prepared for the inevitable and that is, you're going to end up going down sooner or later.

Once you've got a season or two under your belt. Then upgrade to a better bike and also better riding gear.

You can snag good helmets for under $200 and a riding jacket, gloves and pants for all under $500. Boots are about the only thing that will cost you, but there are companies out there making entry level riding gear that will save you money.

Helmets like KBC, HJC, Skorpion, Nolan, Z1R, AGV and others all offer good entry level helmets. Not that Arai, Shoei or Suomy don't but chances are you'll pay $300+ for any of these three companies entry level helmets.

Same goes with riding gear. Joe Rocket, Cortech, AGV, Teknic, all offer entry level riding gear that's affordable and will keep you safe. Again stay away from higher end gear companies like Dainese, Alpinstars, Spidi, Rev It Up!, and even Joe Rocket's race level gear.

Boots, are pretty simple. Sidi would be the company I'd recommend but they also have entry level boots to boots that will drop your jaw in terms of price and performance. But Joe Rocket, Cortech, Gaerne(hard to find) all make good entry level boots.

And also, if you want the max protection, it means wearing your gear "AGATT"(All Gear, All The Time). Normally in town when commuting to work, I wear my helmet, jacket and gloves(street riding gloves). It's mainly just easier so I don't have to change from my full suit at work.

In the mountains or at the race track, I'm in my full suit, boots, gloves(full gauntlet race) and race helmet.