ALL '08 Ninja 250's are sold out until November, unless you get lucky with a batch. I would recommend a Buell Blast. They are 500cc. Took a training course on it and loved the torque feeling. It is very light and designed for handling. I read it's got %75 more torque than the 250 and it gets around the same gas mileage if not better. M.S.R.P is $4,500. Af far as a course, I would call every single resource you can right now because as far as I know, all of the safety courses, which apply for a discount on most insurance, are booked into Novemeber of this year.