This is my first bike, and I was a little nervous about anything over 500cc. That all changed the second I put it into 1st and took off. Three weeks later and 600 miles, I am glad that this was my choice. The bike is very easy to operate, handles great, and has enough get-up-and-go for this first-timer. As a matter of fact, my wife wants to start riding also and keeps eyeballing it...