You can afford a Gen1 busa in your price range, but compared to the FZ's I've seen on Craigslist and whatnot you're looking at a $2000-$3000 difference between the two - with the 'busa being more expensive. It's all about the right tool for the right job. Hayabusa's are nice long distance cruisers, but I've put 500 miles/day on my Hayabusa and 500 mile days in on the SV too... the Hayabusa is smooth as silk, with power on tap, the SV is a hooligan bike, a thumper, that has a lot more riding personality that begs you to have fun with it. The FZ's are probably a mix right in between the two, the buzzy I4 engine doesn't really do anything for me (even in the Hayabusa) - it's just bland. Tons of power, but bland. So, it all depends on what type of riding you plan on doing, and what 'image' you want to have Hayabusa - 1) You're a trendy black guy, or 2) You're a n00b squid that had to have the biggest and baddest bike because that's what everyone said was the fastest or 3) You drag race, enjoy long distance cruising, but don't want to be a Harley fag, Goldwinger, or ride a touring bike. If you plan on hitting the twisties, the Busa is a pig compared to the other bikes... not saying it can't be done, but it's like using a belt sander to do the job of a Dremel. SV - Hooligan bike, loves torquey vtwins, economical and cost effective without having to have an all-out sportbike like all the kids. Dare to be different. Love the sound. FZ1 - Less hooligan than the SV, but likes more power and 'buzz' Zed1k - Image is everything, I look badass, and the bike is badass enough to back me up unless we're on a sanctioned racetrack and you're on a fullon sportbike. No offense to anyone if my stereotypes end up being complete mischaracterizations. Insurance-wise: My Hayabusa + the SV1k cost around $450/yr for me, but I don't carry collision on either of them, just liability and comp, so if I f*(k up, I pay for it. Out of that $450, the Hayabusa is around $420 of that, then with the multibike discount and adding the standard, it really only added about $15-$30 to my policy IIRC. I think the FZ would insure similar to the SV as they'd both be considered "standards" (not sportbikes, like a 'busa, 600, or liter bike would)... if you quote them alone, without collision (that's always the expensive part next to liability), I think at your age you'd be around $80-$150/yr depending on your carrier.