get a yamaha 125 cc, or if you want get a 250, one of the few companies that still make 2 strokes. i personaly like 2 strokes better, a 2 stroke whit the same amount of cc's as a 4 stroke will go faster.so if u buy a 125 2 stroke it will go about same speed as 4 stroke 250 cc. a 2 stroke also excelerates a bit different. now on a 2 stroke u should do twice the amount working on your bike as the amount of time u ride it (if u want it to last) and i think the work is fun! u probably wont know how but dont worry, go buy yourself a nice manual on the bike and start reading. (how i know all my shit today ) my first bike was a 1996 honda cr125r, and i bought a manual and tought myslef how to fix my bike. with a 4 stroke u do not need to do nearly as much maintnece, but when u do the parts u have to replace of fix cost far more, and its a biotch to do. and 4 strokes are heavier. one of the best reasons to get a 2 stroke over a 4 stroke is the fuuuuccking sound! 2 stroke sounds amzing
Stay away from street legal for now.
While I do love 2-strokes at the track, a 4-stroke will be easier to learn on and is more acceptable at different riding areas than the 2's.
Honda or Yamaha. And buy a used one in good shape.
I prefer Yamaha but I raced on them for nearly 40 years, so a bit biased.
At 5'6" you'll probably need to start out on an 85cc to gain some experience on balance as most of the 125s sit rather tall for a beginner and can be awkward to handle at stop or slow-speed.
i was 15 when i got a my cr 85r Big Wheel its a 2 stroke its nice because its got a lot more power than a 4 stroke but not to much to scare you. its a lot of fun to ride on the track and trails. its also fast enough so you wont get left behind.
I would start with a 250 four stroke a 250 is mid size so you learn how to handle a bit of power without scaring yourself and a four stroke is a lot more mellow (a 250 four stroke= a 125 two stroke) two stroke power all comes on at once in the top end and a four stroke is even onset the whole way up I suggest probably a yamaha xt 250 one of my friends has one I've ridden it and it is extremely mellow they also have a very short seat height and are come street legal so if you want a street bike on a whim you have it I hope this helps!!!!