I wouldn't recommend buying a brand new bike for your first bike. As they say, there are those who HAVE laid their bikes down and those who WILL lay their bikes down.
I just started riding last summer. I bought a 1990 Suzuki VX800 for $1500. It was a great first bike in that it wasn't too small where I got used to a little bike. It was a good size, still only about 500 lbs and rode very easily. That being said, if I had it to do all over again, I'd get something newer with less problems. I had the bike about 11 months and put a mere 600+ miles on it because I had so many problems with it. Fortunately, I unloaded it the first part of July (about broke even on the price) and bought a 2000 V-Star 650 exactly one year to the day that I bought my other bike. I've had it three weeks and have already put 550 miles on it, and that's having been out of town for a week and not being able to ride.
Here's my advice:
#1 - Take an MSF Bais rider course. In most states this will satisfy your requirement to get a motorcycle license. This is good on two accounts - (A) you won't need to find a bike for the test and (B) you will be able to test ride bikes when you are shopping for them. Find a local course at
http://www.msf-usa.org/
#2 - Buy a slightly used bike in good condition. I found both of my bikes on CraigsList. There arre tons of decent used bikes out there. Bikes like the 650 V-Star are basically the same bike from 1998 to present, so you might as well save some money and get something a couple years old, maybe with some accessories already and that is already broken in.
#3 - Buy some safety gear before you start riding. It will be well worth your money. Helmet, full finger gloves, boots and riding jacket at a minimum.
#4 - Once you start riding, realize you're still a new rider and be humble and aware of it. Go to a large empty parking lot and practice slow speed drills (cornering, turning, braking, etc.) Anybody can ride in a straight line - it's the slow speed stuff that will get you into trouble. Do them to get the feel of your bike and do them fairly regularly. I like to hit the high school parking lot on my way out if it's been a little while since I've ridden.