I started with a 99 yamaha r6 and never had riden a dirt bike before it. was hard to get used to the clutch release but got the hang of it quickly. though a sport bike is not a good bike to take a road test on. they dont make very good circles or figure 8s. so if you go with a sport bike, find someone with a 250 or a 500 to take the road test on. never took the msf just a lot of hours out riding with some friends and then took the test at the end of the year. just make sure you get some good gear and wear it. other than that enjoy and ride safe.