| Well, ... it's an individual thing. If I use myself as an example I definitely prolonged my life by sticking to a 250 for 2 years before getting anything bigger. I used to get up to stupid stuff on that thing that I just wouldn't do now, plus a modicum of self-control is something I posess now and didn't then! Although if yesterday's ride home from work is any example I could accept some debate on that topic.
Having said that, you might be a nice mature person and be fine on a 750SS.
Not knowing you and making a recommendation I would suggest getting yourself a nice 600SS and cruising around on that until it frustrates you through lack of power etc and you become limited by the bike and not the other way around - this is what I did on my 250. This way you enter the Ducati fold and get to prgress at your own pace.
Just remember, no matter how bulletproof you feel it always hurts when you come off! | 
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