I totally agree about the MSF course, tell them you need the Beginners Riders Course. They have motorcycles suitable for beginners (typically 250-400cc range), all you need to have is a helmet, leather gloves, over the ankle footwear, long sleeves and pants. They provide the rest.
I somehow managed to survive street riding for many years before I ever knew of it's existance, wish I had known back in the 60's when I was a teen learnning to ride.
http://www.msf-usa.org/
Another place with some excellent reading on the two wheeled world is found at
http://www.msgroup.org/TIPS.asp
Good luck and let us know how you make out with the course and what you decide to buy.