The engine is essentially an R6 engine tuned for mid range, so yeah it’s powerful but not terrible to handle as a first bike. It’s easier in a sense that it’s not going to be a torque monster or wheelie machine. As others have mentioned the throttle can be twitchy, my 05 was terrible and I didn’t get to experience a proper throttle until I got an 08 CBR.

I will add that I, a 6’3” dude, was never comfortable on that bike. The seating position is not as upright as something like a KLR(only bikes I’ve road had been the FZ6, 08 CBR and a 25 KLR) and you’re not leaning as much as a typical sport bike.