Welcome, it sounds like you have been given some good advice, although its probably not what you wanted to hear.

 

Welcome Kyle, have fun stay safe and never become a moderator, they will eat you alive.

 

Take the MSF course, and get you a 600. Just my $0.02. If you can get a sweet deal on a 900, then go for it. Just remember to keep the damned throttle closer to closed than open. It's a heavy bike though, so it's going to feel awkward until you get used to it. Just don't go thinking you're Valentino Rossi, and you'll be fine. It's going to cost a lot more to insure a 900 though. Insurance on sport bikes is frakin' rediculous. Welcome to the KF family.