The MSF course will be a breeze, and you will learn a lot. But, your learning doesn't stop there. They make you "Parking Lot" safe. It's up to you to apply what they teach you, on the streets. Search Google for riding tips and safe practices, then ride with some experienced riders. You will learn a lot just riding with others. The Buell Blast and the Suzuki GS 500 are both great starter bikes. You don't need to upgrade from them, but will probably want to after riding for two or three years, and once you've become a better rider. Don't be in a hurry to get a hotter bike. It's all about the journey. The Kawasaki Ninja 250, and the newer 300 are both great bikes to start with, and also highly recommended. Many others will tell you you'll be fine starting on a 600 if you keep your senses about you. The 600's are much closer to racing bikes than an auto off the showroom floor is to a race car. Those things will kill you before you can blink if you are careless and overly confident. Do yourself a favor and start on something similar to what I suggested, for the first couple of years. They will also be much cheaper to insure. For example, my 500 is a couple hundred a year. The Ninja 1000 would cost me $750 a year, and I'm no young pup. Before I forget, start on a used bike. You are going to find your first bike laying on it's side on the road or parking lot, maybe more than once. It happens. Don't scuff up a bike you are making payments on. Dents, scuffs and scrapes, and broken plastic happens. We all have had to pick up a bike from the ground at one time or another. For any that haven't, they haven't been riding long enough. Get a bike with some wear so that you won't cry when you scratch it. The less plastic, the better, unless you just want to learn how to fix it later. How do I know? Don't ask. One more thing. Post a new question, asking about riding gear for a beginner, helmet, pants, jacket, gloves, etc. You will get professional level advice from those who have forgotten more, than I will ever know. . . .