Guess who's on top again...

http://www.moto123.com/motorcycle-news/article,top-10-best-beginner-bikes-in-2015.spy?artid=175659

One view on a lot of pretty decent motorcycles...

in Canada.

Several of those are far more 'second step' than beginner in my eyes.

I think something like this (Estrella 250) is good for a beginner to find their feet, learn gears etc'. Nice and light but stylish with an upright position for traffic observation.

http://www.bikescatalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Kawasaki-250-Estrella.jpg

Just my 2 cents :)