I've also been looking at getting a bike, nothing new. Gas mileage doesn't really have anything to do with it, I just like riding. I've been learning to ride on a 2002? kawasaki zzr600, and I LOVE the bike. I think the sound is great, I can sit upright and comfortably. I don't like to follow the bandwagon with Gixxers and all, and the ZZR is not really seen around too much as opposed to a GSXR, so I like it. Would you guys consider it a good first bike? My buddy is thinking of upgrading to a newer bike, and I'm trying to buy off of him. It has been dropped which is fine by me, as I'll probably drop it at some point.