I started with a Katana 750 in April, took the MSF class May of this year, and have since been riding any of the three listed below:

'00 Katana 750
'04 GSXR 750 - regeared for better accel.
'06 ZX-14R

While the article is probably true, and good advice, the other things said about self control and ability to handle the physical size of the bike are key. Self control, aka throttle control, is the key to not getting hurt.