I am in the market and intend on take a training course when I return from my deployment, as well. I was looking into the insurance cost of certain bikes I was looking into and weighing the pros and cons of the difference of a Ninja 500 and the Ninja 600. When I asked for a quote on insurance for the 500, I was very pleased with the $600/year, they said. This is including medical and a few other things that I won’t need because I’m in the military and it is covered for me. So, I’ll be able to knock some of that down, also. However, when I asked about the 600, it was a significant difference. My yearly went up to nearly $2500/year. That would increast my payment to nearly 4 times the first. What I did learn was that even thought the Ninja 250 and 500 are in the sport class of bikes, insurance companies aren’t classing them in the sport range. Not entirely sure why but, who am I to argue, right? So, after that and reading on these forums, I’ve decided on the Ninja 500. Not that the 250 wouldn’t be enough for me but, I have a lovely wife that I wouldn’t mind showin off on the back with me every so often, too. I just wish I could get the Ninja 500 with the same fairing as the 250. Damn, that’s a great looking new style.