Best motorcycle to buy?

Honda CBR 250, Rebel 250 and a Kawasaki Ninja 250. These are the most popular bikes for beginners, not American but of the best brands available.

American Manufacturers, mainly Harley, and Victory, do not make an inexpensive bike. The cheapest harley will run 8k new, and the cheapest Victory will run around 12k new. The used market is a different story. Victory Vegas, their smallest bike can be had for around 7k, and sportsters run 3-5k used. A harley is not a good choice for a first bike, because you will be spending more time working on it and on maintenance than riding. A victory you just have to put gas in and change the oil.

That being said, the best learner bikes are the honda shadow, and the kawasaki ninja 250. These bikes are known for their ease of riding, cheap insurance, cheap infrequent maintenance, and capability. Either of these bikes are the best option for new riders, especially young one's whos insurance will be sky high. Hope this helps.

The one you are most comfortable with, it's on 2 wheels not 4.

American bikes are expensive kid. Go read some motorcycle magazines so your not completely lost.