Hi Sweatpea and welcome. As has been said it is difficult to say what is and what isn't a "Good First Bike," I asked the question and it is a debate that will run until the end of time as there is no certain correct answer.
I did listen to what people had to say - to a degree.
Initially I wanted a 749 and that is what I set about looking for. As time went on I still hadn't found "The One" and a mate of mine told me about a Monster S4 one of his mate's had for sale.
I went to see it, HEARD IT
and that was it, I wanted it, right bike at the right price and I forgot it was a 916 engine underneath.
So I then passed my test about 3 weeks after buying it (and have only been riding since April 07) and geared up to take her out for her first time.
I was SO nervous before hand, I didn't know what to expect I was bricking it. But I pulled off and realised that all my thoughts about it being a brute and too fast, too heavy to handle etc went away!
It is a dream to ride, the comfort (being 6'5" this is an important factor) the handling, the SOUND
everything I liked.
I think you'll be fine as long as your sensible, that was the main factor for me, if I knew I couldn't have trusted myself I'd have never had a bike to begin with.
I'm just taking it easy, getting to know the bike, still a little hesitant to lean over too far as really don't know how low I can go but I'm enjoying it, taking is easy and the attention the bike gets is always nice as well...would be nice if the rider got some attention now and again lol.
Stu