Yamaha Kawasaki

First, all of the big motorcycle manufacturers make reliable bikes, and they have all produced bikes with problems or various types. Honda is the manufacturer that outsells the others and has a rep for producing reliable bikes. But Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki all have models that can last 75,000+ miles trouble free. The key is maintenance. From your description of what you need in a bike, you may want to consider a cruiser type motorcycle. Choose a bike that feels right for you and weigh any advise with that in mind. Take and pass a MSF course. Often people buy the bike before the course but fight the urge, do look around at all types though. The following may not be a popular statement, but analyze what you will use the bike for, what feels good, if you will be riding alone or in groups, and, here it is, resist the urge/advice to go too large. A first bike should be bought with the knowledge that it will most likely have some minor mishaps to occur, drops, fall over etc. In your course you'll get a feel for swerves, weaves, controlled stops, panic stops, and so on and can better assess the size and weight bike you are comfortable with until you get some riding experience under your belt. Displacement is not as key as center of gravity and weight, though a powerful bike can factor into novice mistakes that are common to every new rider (i.e. misapplication of the throttle or just plain giving it too much gas). You should respect the bike but not have a real fear of it. If you are not intent on the highway riding as you mention toward the end of your text you might even consider getting a similar bike to what is used in the MSF courses. There is good reason they use Honda rebel 250's and virago or v star 250's. They are very reliable and fun bikes. They are pretty susceptible to wind blast and turbulence on the highway though. Something in the 500 - 750 cc range would be middle of the road. They would be a better selection for highway use but may pose a challenge in the beginning for a new rider because of added weight and the wheel base especially at low packing lot or slow Traffic speeds and a water cooled bike may be more reliable if it will be used in bumper to bumper city Traffic. You really need the MSF course and research any bike your considering. Hope this helps. Ride Safe!