OK wow. I was searching for an answer about my friend's civic trouble when I ran across this thread. It made me register. I admin sportbike forums and have been riding dirt and street bikes for years. GENERALLY, this is how things are... 17 y.o. + new sportbike = early grave.
1) The fact that you've got hours and hours of dirt bike experience will help you balance your bike and get it moving. Congratulations. Being out in traffic is a whole other skill set that you do not have. Take the class. It's under $100 up to age 21 and it WILL save your life.
2) You want to be a GOOD rider? Start small and work your way up to a faster bike. Starting on a smaller bike will teach you how to use momentum, which is much more important than the "point & squirt" you will surely learn on a liter bike.
3) Don't be fooled into thinking the 600s are slow. When I was riding a 600, I was passing most literbikes through turns, including the big bad Hayabusa. And that's in the canyons AND on the track. YouTube "motofabio - Big Tujunga" for a peek. 600s do 140+ mph and 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds. Any faster and you're gonna wheelie an flip it, no matter what size engine. Physics. Sure the big bikes are gonna be faster on the freeway in a straight line. Big whoop.
The single biggest danger to a person your age jumping on a sportbike is your attitude. Riding is 80% mental and 20% bike (if that). Think you know a lot? You don't. Think you got it all under control? You don't. Think you can handle any motorcycle right out of the box? You definitely cannot.
Gonna stop there. I could go on, but that's enough for a first post here. Best of luck on two wheels. Keep your head in check.
