What is the best first motorcycle for a 6 ft tall 200 lb guy?

Answer 1

Any prospective motorcycle owner should actually go to the dealers and sit on the various motorcycles. There is no one brand or type that fits based on size and "6 ft, 200 lbs" is not unusually large (or small) for a rider of any kind of various motorcycles.

Most motorcycles, even small sportbikes can be slightly modified to support bigger riders. The rear suspension spring can be replaced. Most sportbikes come tuned for a 160-185 lb rider whereas most cruisers come tuned for a 185-215 lb rider. That is merely a reflection of the typical buyer.

I may suggest a 750CC engine such as a Honda Shadow or a 650CC Yamaha V-Star

The Honda Shadow and the Yamaha V-Star are not good choices for tall guys. You will look like a monkey on a football. The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 is better. Foot pegs are forward and the handle bars are a little farther forward especially on the custom. Honda makes a couple of cruisers that fit taller guys but I don't remember what they are, and they are a little more expensive. Check with a dealer. I stopped into a Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha shop with the intention of looking at the v-star and probably buying a Shadow. The sales guy was about my height, 6'3' and had me sit on all of them. The Vulcan fit the best for my height.