well, i have to second the "peeping tom" thing chili just said, but i thought i'd see what you gu...whoops, almost said guys... chicks are doing in here. anyway, i am a 15 1/2 year old 5'8" guy and i started last year at christmas on a 2001 TT-R125L, and it got me hooked. if you only asked earlier, (or if i peeped more ;) ),dang it, i would have had a deal for you, because i sold my TT-R about 3 weeks ago to a german guy for $1600. i was even brave enough to *try* and race it in the 80cc beginner class, and if i didn't get off in the whoops and break my clutch lever i woulda won too. (yeah right :p ) anyway, i was 5'7" and 127 pounds when i started riding, and it was a great bike for me. you made a great choice. just do yourself a favor, don't get the 03 models, especially if you are concerned about weight, they have electric start, which they did NOT need to begin with, and a remote-reservior shock, which really doesn't improve action, THAT much, and it's a hundred bucks more. if you drop your goggles on the kickstarter it will start, for cryin' out loud, j/k. the TT-R is a great choice, plus it helps not to be intimidated or scared your first time out, and i have gotten *ahem* pretty good because i wasn't afraid to take the bike to it's limits, and actually beat a few of my friends on 80's on makeshift tracks, blah blah blah, you'll for sure be doing the same. i even admit it, another chick on a tt-r125L and her friend on an XR200 beat me on the track i beat the 80 riders on. :eek: chicks can ride great, because of their natural slimness. the only reason i'm not a beergut-contest-contender is because i also ride BMX and play football. anyway, off the subject.
I am vouching for the TT-R, because i was the same weight and hight, but less skill level than you when i first rode, and it was a great choice.
have a great Christmas, and i hope you get the bike!!
-Rob