I cant give you any byers advice but bike advise I can. I have been riding myself for 4 sesons and started off on a fz 600. From what I have learned its the grandfather of your bike not to bad for a beginner. Then I upgraded to a 95 fzr witch is my current bike that I currently still have and for 800 $ I couldn't pass it up. I can tell you I and pretty happy with my current bike and I upgrade between the to was superb brakeing and performance. Would I like to have a more modern bike yeah who wouldn't but a 600 for myself is plenty enough bike to get in trouble if pushed to hard. Sorry for my rambling just think your really going to enjoy the upgrade.