This might serve as future reference for newbies (like me) who'd like to know how much the actual expense of a bike can come up to be before purchasing it...
$2,000 Feb/6/09-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 ~ brought from an ad on Craiglist. Less than 2k miles, spotless, completely stock, Kawasaki extended warranty until 2011.
$105 AllState 1 year liability insurance (the NC state minimum), might add more features later.
$140 MSF course at a community college nearby. With certificate of completion the driving test at the DMV is waived.
$111 Registration, License plate, Title transfer and other minor stuff at the DMV.
$30 Motorcycle half-cover. It keeps my seat dry, and I don't have to wait for the exhaust to cool- just cover it and walk away.
$120 Bell Sprint Mako '09 Helmet - fits larger than other brands I tried in Small size. Decided to keep it for "practice"... once I'm put it on I forget it's...