Any advice on a first bike?

by Lexi
(St. Louis, MO)

I am 5'5" and 118 pounds. I have been riding dirt bikes since I was four, so I am extremely comfortable on my 2006 Honda CRF 250X (with the two-inch lowering kit to make the height manageable).

Now that I am going into my second year of college, I am looking to move to the street, primarily as a commuter. I plan on taking a MRTC. I'm not a nervous rider and am very comfortable with my current bike, but I want to get a bike with the right size and power for a beginner street-rider. I've read a bit online different makes and models that people recommend, but I am not sure which ones to look at.

I'm looking for a bike that is affordable (college student, remember!) and smaller for my size, but with enough power to get me out of hairy situations. I'd like to try to find a bike with a seating position similar to my dirt bike. Any ideas?