I have done conseridable research on the honda 250 nighthawk.It appears one would be hard pressed to find a better beginners bike.As a commuter bike its performance is simply awsome.it not only keeps up with the traffick on the morning commute,but gets 100 mpg while doing so.It would be hard to find a bike which crashes so infrequently.it would also be hard to find a bike with lower maintenence costs,or higher gass milage,or lower insurrance premiums.It has the capacity to carry passengers on short trips[within 10 miles].The one drawback to this bike seems to be no tachometer.