Welcome! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Im a big fan of starting at the bottom and working up. If I were you I would go for a 600 to start with as itll get you used to the power and you will learn more. They are plenty fast enough these days. The other thing is if you go for an 1100 as your first bike what do you do after that? There really isnt much else thatll be faster! I ride my R1 with mainly R6's & CBR600's and even if we are having a blat around quiet roads they hold their own. To some extent they are quicker because they are lighter and easier to manage. A decent R6 or CBR will still try and tear your face off under acceleration I had been riding 8 years until I bought something bigger than the 600 I owned and back then they were nowhere near as quick as they are today.

Oh and fairing or no fairing (unless you are gonna ride a goldwing) if its raining you are gonna get wet! ;D

Your insurance company will also take you more seriously if you start small and work up!

Just my opinion!