are we talking first big bike, i would always go cheap and naked, if or when dropped minimal damage, hornet bandit etc, not exciting but 6+ months and probably sell it for what you have paid. If wanting something a bit more sporting, older cbr600, ZX6R etc, again cheap and cheerful. Pete
Cbr600F for about £1500 is about as safe as you can for a mid sports bike. Cheap insurance, loads of bits for sale and quick whilst not going to scare you Assuming your doing direct access to a big bike and your on a Honda site Street triple not a bad start ut a little more money VFR800 if you want a physically bigger bike, similar to a 600f in power bit slightly Comfier
It might be best to 'classify' beginner. A raw 'first-up' beginner? Male or female? The recommendations for 600s is correct, but for a first-timer or young girl/woman (or lightweight male for that matter) I would consider one of the 250s or 300s. Shame there is that they're about the same price as 600s, but much easier to get used to handling, pushing along driveway, U-turns, etc.
Had a 52 plate CBR600F4i fantastic bike, a good place to start.As Shutty said fast enough but not scary parts are plentiful, good build quality, very comfortable if you don't go for the FS version. Oh and pretty cheap https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/cbr600f/2000/
