There are worse bikes to start one (liter bikes, latest supersport 600's), but there are certainly better bikes to start on.

Everyone that's dumping on the 250/500, of course bikes like that will be boring on the slab! Where a 250 really earns its keep is in the twisties--not because it's a great handling machine, but because it teaches you things you'll never learn on a F4i. Things like conserving momentum, proper braking, quick transitions--in the end, starting on a 250 will make you faster, and i regret not starting on one (started on a F2) because these are all things i'm fighting to achieve on the track.

Anyway, the f4i is just as capable as a 600rr on a track. Simple stuff like new rearsets will make an f4i into a great trackbike.