Alan, like Craig has already said I think your best bet would prob be a suzuki bandit 600 and use that for about a year to build up your confidence and a years NO CLAIMS then try and see about something with a little bit more ooomph if you want.
I enjoyed my bandit, then a couple of years later I traded it in for an R6 just after they first came out and it was just awesome... Then its been a long time since then before I got the GSXR 600 in 2005 and had to start all over again with no NO CLAIMS, but it wasnt too bad.
Doesnt matter what you end up with Alan because practice makes perfect, Im lucky enough to have ridden some very very nice machines in my time, rangeing from bandit 600s all the way through to R1s, ZX12Rs, Hyabusas, TL1000Rs and RSV1000s the bigger bikes will probably make you really sh*t yourself!! I almost did the first time I rode an R1 the front wheel just does not like staying on the ground... :p
What ever you do, DO NOT GET an ER5 that has to be without doubt the WORST bike I have ever EVER ridden!!
Three bikes that I would like to have a go on that I have never ridden before are a Ducati 999, MV Agusta F4 and a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure. :p
Welcome to the NMS mini and bike squad, I will be back on a bike as soon as I can :D ENJOY :D
