Sounds to me like you have a very mature attitude. There's no SPECIFIC skills you need to master in order to move up in my opinion except for SEAT TIME. Spend as MUCH TIME AS YOU CAN out riding the bike. There's no replacement for experience on the road. Ride the wheels off that thing until you can afford to make the move and then you'll be as prepared as you can be. The difference in power will be night and day between the two bikes, but riding conditions will be the same. Try and get some wet-weather riding in, and just plain hours in the saddle.
And besides a mature attitude, you also have very good taste!
"Keep yer feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked."
And besides a mature attitude, you also have very good taste!