That's true, it's still a pretty dangerous machine but much easier to handle than a busa. For example, a 08 R6 makes around 40lb-ft of torque, while the 13 busa makes close to a 100. So it's around 2.5 times more powerful.
R6 is a track focused bike & makes all it's power above 8k rpm, below that it's pretty tame & easy to handle. So if you don't push it to the max you won't get in trouble. Busa, with all that torque, any gear, any rpm you twist the throttle & it's going to land you in trouble.
Having said that i agree 100% with your advice, my first bike was also a GS-500. I kept it for 6 months learned the basics then upgraded to an R6 once i knew what i was doing.