What would be a good beginner street legal bike ?

I moving further away from a job I like and want to decrease the additional drive time. A motorcycle seems the best way, but what kind ? A dirt bike with street tires, or just stick to a street bike ? The main goal here is to cut thru traffic, because work starts at 5:30pm which puts me in the thick of rush hour, and not spend an hour on the road with the increased distance to be traveled. Any ideas and thoughts, anyone ?

how far is your job? i like the 2001 Suzuki Marauder VZ 800

I would go with a small bike. something between a 350 and 500. Good on gas...easy to maneuver.