There have been a lot of great points made here but I would like to add by saying lets not forget, or you may not have known, that the k8 (2008-2010) GSXR 600's have all three power modes fitted to them. These are the only years of the 600's that have all 3 power modes. In Power mode "C" The bike s cut to 40% power and the throttle and power band is smoothed out. The bike is much less frightening and it becomes just fine for a beginner to start on.
This is the largest reason why my first bike (as ridiculous and stupid as it may sound) will be a K8 Gixxer 600. Another reason why is that I think that it would be smarter financially to skip the much approved and recommended "beginner" bike being a 250 or 300cc and go straight for a 600cc. I hear from many that have lost money by starting on a 250 and getting a 600 later and they all say that they "Grew out of" experience wise their 250 in only a few months and they did not think.