Yep. I agree with Jimmy here. The Suzook SV650 has probably been the best all-round naked "beginner bike" out there for eons now. Or maybe even a nice used GS500.
And I also agree with Greybeard. I'd advise your friend to stay away from any bike with plastic wrapped around it, as odds are that that plastic will eventually have a "nice little" crack or worse on it after he makes his almost inevitable "initial mistake" and drops it. And so, I'm not so sure that Beemer would be such a good idea there, Nathan.
