Yep, that's a good way to actually begin riding. Start off with something that you can afford to get banged up.
Say what you will, you're a beginner. It takes a whole 'nother set of skills to develop, mostly being alert and defensive 100% of the time. Strongly suggest a motorcycle safety course, even if it sounds *****.
Every time I saddle up, I ride away with the firm thought planted between my ears that every ****ing cage driver out there is out to kill me.[/b]
All that said, I'm a rice burner kinda guy. Harleys are too big, too expensive, too heavy, and too much. I just want to ride, I don't have a personal statement to make. Rice burners are generally more reliable than their American competition - though I'll say that Harley has come a long way since their AMF days.
BTW, I ride a 2003 Honda 919 - Honda doesn't import them anymore. It's a naked bike meaning it's not a crotch rocket and it's not a cruiser - something in between. With 100 bhp at the rear wheel, plenty of low-end torque, fuel injection and water cooling, it's got over 11K on it and all I've ever done to it was lube the chain, change the oil, the tires, and the chain (once). Oh, I added some coolant once.
This bike has more power than I'll ever need, but it's fun to know it's there.