As someone that has been riding for longer than some of yall have been alive.....I like Tarzanman's suggestions the best.
He is absolutely on point in saying that biting off a bunch just to save money may very well be your ticket to an even more expensive hospital room.
I rode an EX500 for many years. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Back then, it would certainly more than keep up with 600's and just about anything while cruising around. It had it's drawbacks, but the pros way outweighed the cons by far. I bought that bike brand spanking new back in 1989. I put lots of miles on that bike. I used to ride it down to Daytona and then to Myrtle Beach every single year for many years. It had enough power to keep up, get me out of trouble if need be, and more importantly it started and ran like a top everytime I turned the key on the ignition. It even uses a spin-on type oil filter right up front. Oil changes take all of 15 mins. Tires are cheap. I even used to buy race scuffs when I was broke. Rode the tires off that bike. I liked it so much that when I bought my RR, I gave that bike to my dad. All the fairings are still intact and the paint looks as good as new. Bike runs perfectly still. We go riding together all the time.
MSF classes are a must for any beginner. I took them, on my own EX500, after I'd already been a semi experienced rider and still found a lot of things that I learned or brushed up on. For a rookie, it's a great idea.
Riding with idiots will only make YOU an idiot. Motorcycles are so easy to go fast on, that even the most mature and experienced riders find it hard to not twist that right hand every once in a while. Rookies SHOULD NOT FOLLOW. Testosterone will quickly write a check your booty can't cash. I've seen it happen.
Get a decent first bike that is dependable and inexpensive. Spend your money on top notch riding gear instead. If you ever go down, you'll be glad you did. Remember that the only thing between you and the cheese grater asphalt is what you're wearing, period. I've gone down and I've had road rash. It's NOT fun at all. I learned my lesson about dogs and about riding gear that day.
Anyway, be safe.
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