If you're going to try it on your own, without a club and instructor, then buy an Aerobird Challenger. Ugly as sin, but at $150 (or less) you get everything you need to try flying.

Do NOT buy anything that's only 2 channels, do NOT buy anything that costs less than $125 complete. If you do it may not fly, and if it flys it will fly like crap.
Dennis-