I own a 1999 Ducati 900SS.
The 900SS and 800SS are not horribly different from each other. Neither is the power. 0-60 is supposedly a wonderful 3.3 seconds with a 5 second 0-100 time. However, to pull this off you'll have to likely have the skills of valentino rossi, but it's at least fun to brag.
Top speed is geared from the factory to 134mph.
Good idea starting out on a smaller bike FIRST. Oddly enough i too started on a ninja 250, and i think had i started on my 900ss i'd probably have murdered myself.
They are not top speed fast like their inline 4 cylinder japanese competition, but they are full of torque and VERY QUICK.
Keep in mind these bikes are VERY expensive to upkeep. Either learn to do the maintenance yourself, or get ready to deep dish your pockets.
The handling is indeed pretty good. They are fairly heavy for what they are, but the feedback through the suspension is fabulous. I'd be happy to link you below to a review I wrote on epinions regarding the 900SS which is essentially the same as the 800SS so you can hear it first hand from a Ducati owner.
