Going to take MSF soon.

Im 23 and only road a dirtbike 1 time in my life.  I don't think I went past 2nd gear lol.  But since I live in AZ the weather is nice year round minus the heat in the summer.  I really want to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

I am going to take the MSF test it's $275 around here to take it.  But im pretty sure after I complete it I can just go and get my motorcycle linsence without taking other tests.

The begginer bike I would like to get is a Ninja 250R just like everyone else on this forum.  I don't really need much speed im just going to go to work and back 3 or 4 days a week with it.  Im pretty sure I can get 70mpg with it.  My commute is 15 miles one way and its pretty flat.

One question though they don't have auto clutchs do they?  I drive a manual trans car so I know how everything works I just don't remember if you have to push in the clutch everytime you shift on a bike.  

No... vast majority of motorcycles utilize manual gear selection with just a few exceptions. There are aftermarket add-ons that will give you an auto-clutch but... shifting is part of the fun and challenge of riding, right?

And no, you don't have to use the clutch to upshift but for a novice rider, better to learn with the clutch. If not done smoothly, clutchless upshifting can shorten the life of the transmission. For downshifting, definitely use the clutch.

Cheers.