Buy yourself a used smaller displacement bike (250-500cc).
Beat it, flog it, drop it and do all the other things that newbies do.
Then after a year or so get yourself your dream bike.

Buying a new MTS1100 will just bring you a world of pain (mentally, emotionally and possibly physically). I've been ...

$10000 sounds a little high to me. I would be more inclined to ante up the extra dough for a new 2006. The full 2 year warranty would be a major factor in my decision.

I just bought a new '06 non ohlins model for the equvalent of about $9900 USD. I had an opportunity to purchase an 06 demo ohlins ...