Im not sure where you live but in San Francisco you dont need any equipment or any skill to take the intro riders course. There are also no books to buy. The course consists of a weeknight in the classroom where they go over the rules of the road and the parts of the bike. Then there are two weekend days (all day both days) where they put you on bikes that they provide (and helmets, you just need boots, gloves and a jacket) and then they teach you how to ride. No experience necessary. You just need a learners permit or a drivers license. If you pass the course they give you a certificate that you take to the DMV and it allows you to take the written part of the motorcycle license test without having to do the riding skills part of the test.
I had no experience and it was so worth it.

Good luck with this!