My first bike was quite collectable – an Aprilia Moto 6.5 designed by Phillippe Starck. Not an easy bike as a first bike as it is a single cylinder 650 engine (so loads or torque….
My second bike was a Hinda CB600FS (and half faired hornet) and I would highly recommend them.
My latest day-to-day bike is a kawasaki ER6F – again really good bike, great fun on the A and B roads too – again highly recommended as a first big bike.
Best of luck with your first purchase Nathan.
Bungle (aka Geoff)