Check out the Suzuki 650 or 650S. Middle range in power, not too twitchy in the throttle/brake response (one thing that often shocks newer riders). Since you've been riding Dad's cruiser, you'll need to make sure you spend plenty of time getting the feel of whatever bike you choose.

The SV has TONS of aftermarket stuff available for customization. Reliable. The 650S has a sportier riding position with clip on bars, the non-S model has a continuous bar. You can probabably pick up a gently used on for not a lot of cash... so if you decide you want something different you won't lose a chunk of money, as you would if you bought new and changed your mind.

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ATGATT: Becuase walking away in disgust beats riding away in an ambulance.
Admitted BMW MC snob.

I mean more as far as acceleration goes. Definitely love the GS, but as long as I do a lot of freeway riding and keep riding a lot, it will not be my only bike. To be fair if I am doing the kind of freeway riding that would make me feel bored with the GS, it would probably be time for a cruiser.

The GS might be plenty in the curves, but I'll still buy that Speed Triple some day .

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-JV
Xbox LIVE!: "Vlad is Rad"
PSN: "Vlad_is_Rad"
SCII: "Volodya" (code: 314)

Ahh, the Speed Triple. The bike most rated as the best Hooligan bike out there

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One thing you can count on: You push a man too far, and sooner or later he'll start pushing back.

I agree with Lion Lady about the Suzuki SV650 (S), its a great "do everything" bike, I personally like the Yamaha FZ6 better cause I own one, and the Kawasaki 650 Ninja is also a great alternative.
but,, I understand most new riders want a cruiser bike instead of a sport bike, I LOVE the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 cause its a cruiser bike that uses the exact same engine as the 500 Ninja, and nobody can't go wrong with the Honda 750 Shadow (great bike)

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2009 Yamaha TMAX
2008 Suzuki King Quad 750AXI
2011 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 DC Trd Sport, 6 sp manual