What would you say is a good bike to buy after passing your test, within the 250cc standard/commuter category?

I would like to find something that is reasonably easy to ride, preferably small and lightweight for use around towns and fast enough to take on dual carriageways (probably ruling out most 125ccs) but not scarily fast, bearing in mind I've never ridden before.

I've tried searching on the Internet for 0-60 times for the type of bike I'm looking for but can't find this information anywhere. I think about 7 seconds would be ok. I was looking at Honda CB500 but this is quite a large bike for a first machine and also quite fast at about 5 seconds, however the CBF125, which is quite new and therefore expensive, is about 12 seconds, the same as my car! Are there any 250cc bikes that would meet my requirements? I see the Kawasaki Ninja is meant to be a bit slower than the Honda CB500 but it is still 5.5 seconds and is a sports bike, which I don't really fancy much (surprisingly to most riders on here I expect!). Any ideas?

Honda do a CBF250 or was that what you meant when you said CBF125 as the 125 is a CBR125 (or CG125)? Nowt wrong with the CB500 as a first bike after doing your full test. Remember although it may be capable of accelerating faster than your ideal, doesn't mean you have to do that. If you want to reach 60 in 7 seconds instead of 5 then just don't accelerate as hard. You'll use less petrol that way too!

I'm upgrading from a 125 to a Suzuki GS500 F soon, and would thoroughly recommend it as an easy handling commuter with a reasonable turn of speed (about 45bhp so not too intimidating for a novice, like myself ), having just test ridden one. Very comfortable bike and relatively cheap too, especially with the 2 years free servicing deal on at the moment. Honda still do a CBF 250 single with about 20bhp haven't ridden one of these but might be worth considering if you want a mild machine.

i guess i'd recommend the cb5, but then that's what i started on too, the gs500 is good too, but then thats what I learnt on...

My main advice to anyone looking to buy a bike, of any size, is to look at as many as physically possible, sit on em all, and see which one speaks to you. Sounds a bit spooky, but its true.... bikes is like people, you find yer soul mate more by listening to your heart than yer head...

now where'd me wine bottle go.... hic!

ER5, GS500, all good bikes, test ride a few and see what your comfy on! after your test of course

Thanks for all the replies to my original post. I did mean CBF250, sorry about that. I took a look at some pictures of the Suzuki GS500 and I think it looks quite good, although I don't like the way the seat seems to stick out really high at the back! The seat is reasonably high compared to some of the others though which should be good for me as I'm slightly above average height at 5ft10/5ft11. I think the advice about trying a few out is good and I'm thinking now of visiting a garage this Saturday to do this! A couple of things which might put me off are the riding position as I want something where the handlebars are high enough so that you're not doing your back and wrists in in a crouched over position all the time but not so high so you feel like you're riding a Harley; and also manoevrability, but looking at the Suzuki's specs it is only about 175kg...think this is light for a 500cc bike? Anyone else with any advice please let me know. Cheers everyone.

in the same boat myself i have my test in a few days ( 14th feb ) so ive been looking round drooling and have it down toa few bikes for suitable first bikes.. these being

honda cb250 r reg 1500
suzuki gs500e s reg 1500
kawasaki er5 1500
yamaha fzr400 1000 ( think its an m reg )
royal enfield 500 bullet ( possibly the new bullet electra x )

and me head wont help me think haha

If you're going for your DAS. Chances are you'll sit it on a ER5 or GS500. The 500's are very good bikes. Plenty of power, so you don't have to work every gear but usually quite civilised with the output. I'd hang on, until you've had a chance to expereince the bikes during your training before you opt for the bike to go for.