*Ahem* I'll chime in and give you advice, but I would be surprised if you follow it.

1. NEW RIDER
As a new rider. A 600cc bike is not a good match for a first bike. There are a couple of different reasons, but the primary reason is safety. A modern, 600cc supersport motorcycle (GSXR, R6, 600RR, ZX6R, etc) is both more powerful, and more difficult to operate than other, more new-rider suitable motorcycles (GS500, 250R, etc).
There are people who disagree, but I have found that those folks are generally more ignorant about proper/skillfull riding technique. There are some people who start (too) big and eventually learn about proper technique, and the majority of those riders usually say that they would start smaller if they had to do it all over again.
This is an often argued, endlessly debated topic among motorcycle riders... however the fact is that riding a motorcycle IS dangerous, and it is better to start out being as safe as possible. You WILL drop your bike and/or have a minor accident learning (among all the riders I have met, I am one of only 2-3 people that never dropped their bike learning), so don't be fooled into thinking that 'taking it easy' on an advanced machine will necessarily save you from any mishaps. The difference is that a new-rider friendly motorcycle will give you more leeway to correct mistakes (and we ALL make them), and punish you less for incorrect inputs to steering, throttle, or braking.
I will close this part of my post by saying this: When I was still learning, there are two curbs, and one *minivan* that I would have most likely hit had I been on an R6 (my 2nd bike) instead of a GS500 (my 1st bike). I wasn't riding irresponsibly or anything.... there are just growing pains in learning that you have to get through. Start small until you are ready to start learning on a bigger bike. I rode my first bike for ~8 months and ~4000 miles before I stepped up. Remember that your first bike is just that... your FIRST bike. I've been riding for almost 4 years and I'm on my 4th bike (R1).

2. THE BRANDS
Despite what you may hear, there are very, very minor differences between 97% of supersport motorcycles, and even less differences between the big 4 japanese bikes. Distance from a dealership is a more important factors as to parts availability than brand. That being said, parts for japanese bikes are almost always cheaper, and less maintenance is required on them than their German, Italian, American, and British counterparts (though, that has been changing in the past 2 years or so).
Even an intermediate rider would have difficulty discerning the differences in handling/performance between a GSXR or CBRR. The differences simply don't exist for a new rider because a motorcycle's performance is 95% the skill of the rider and 5% the bike. Go to a track day or amateur race and you will sometimes see a rider on a 600 absolutely destroying riders on 1000's. Happens all the time.

3. GETTING BORED WITH 600s
Another phrase that is often argued about amongst riders. The only people I have ever heard utter that phrase are straight-line speed junkies. If you are a speed junkie, then you should AVOID getting a street bike and learn to ride track only (or you will end up in the hospital, in jail, or worse). 1000cc and 600cc bikes both have their strengths and weaknesses. I just went from an R6 to an R1 about 6 months ago. Even though I do like the additional power of a 1000cc engine, it takes more work to get the motorcycle to do what I want and I have to pay extra attention to my throttle control and how I have loaded the suspension. T
he R1 does not, and will not ever corner or handle as well as an R6. The same can be said for any 1000cc vs 600cc bike. I still have my R6 (its for sale!), and ride it occasionally to keep it in working order... and every time I do I notice how much more freedom to maneuver there is on it.
As for power, even though a 1000cc engine is stronger, a 600cc bike is faster than 98% of the cars on the road. *Even A 500cc bike* like a GS500 is faster than 90% of the cars out there. A GS500 will keep pace from a dead stop off the line with a Corvette till ~ 60-70mph or so... and that bike only has a 40hp engine!

4. BIKE COST
Try to buy used. Less expensive, and just as good if you do your homework (sometimes better, even). Trust me when i say you'll have a lot more fun riding and getting gear for a bike you don't owe any money on than your buddy who is giving the bank $300/month to finance his hobby (which he might not even do during the winter when its cold). Its just less fuss, less paperwork, and insurance is cheaper on used bikes.

5. IN THE END
Go with a smaller bike to start out on. If looks are important to you (which is understandable) then give serious consideration to the:
1. Totally awesome 2008-? Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2. Fully faired 2004-? Suzuki GS500

Other bikes which are a bit more powerful than the first two, but still moderately new-rider friendly
3. 2006-? Kawasaki Ninja 650R
4. Yamaha FZ6R
5. 2001-? Suzuki SV650

-EDIT-
Ducati bikes are expensive to own. They are considered luxury bikes by many. More maintenance is required and parts are expensive. I'd join to Duc message boards and ask around before you commit to getting one.