Joshua, another newbie here, I get my license in 3 weeks and I bought my first bike about a week ago (it's sitting at the dealer for 2 more weeks, then he'll deliver it so I'm ready to go once I'm done with the Rider's Edge/MSF course).
I'm with you on not being into the sport bike style. I'm a high school teacher, and my students love them, and I did at their age too, but as a 290LB (soon to be) 40 year old I think I'd look silly on something like that (plus I just love the relaxed look of the cruisers and the, well, standard look of the old fashioned standards). Heck, even most of the current standards look to me a lot like the sport bikes (see the Suzuki Gladius or SV650).
On this and other forums many people strongly suggest dual purpose bikes for first-timers, but you will probably find them too big. I'm almost 6' tall, but I have a short inseam (30") and I found them too tall. If you can find one that fits it may be worthwhile.
You like the UJM, how about other older style standards? It may be over your limit, but the Triumph Bonneville is a great looking bike (I don't know what it goes for used). It is a 650cc, but one of the main complaints is that it is a bit underpowered, and one of the things I often see praised is the smooth delivery of power and forgiving clutch- all features that might make it a good bike for us beginners.
The Suzuki TU250 has already been mentioned. Read up on it, every review I've seen has been absolutely glowing- other than the Ninja 250 it sounds like the best overall 250 out there in addition to having a cool (and today, unusual) design. Just enough power for short trips on the highway, fun, but easy to ride for us beginners, good price (under $4K new), 80-90MPG, and it is different. Had it been available locally (the closest dealer that seemed to have one in stock was nearly 100 miles away) I probably would have bought it instead of my Suzuki C50. Once my car is paid off I may buy one as a second motorcycle for around town when my main motorcycle's 50MPG just isn't good enough.
Your reason for ruling out Harley seems to be outdated. I thought they were less reliable myself, until I started researching bikes. It sounds like they are about equal with the other big brands, and they may be easier to work on if you are mechanically inclined and want to do your own work. Most of the Sportsters (other than the Custom) have controls almost directly below the seating like a standard, not the feet forward of most cruisers. The 883cc of the Sportster may sound like too much as a beginner, but from most of what I read they are very underpowered for the size and the power delivery is very smooth and forgiving so it may not be too bad (and they are easy to add performance mods later when you are ready for more power). The biggest criticism I've seen of it for new riders is that it is top heavy, making it more likely to be dropped.
I really like your new option, the Vulcan 500. I came incredibly close to buying one (the best of the used bikes I looked at was one, and I thought about buying one new as well). They are nice bikes, and everything I read about them make them sound like nearly a perfect first time bike, if you want a cruiser style. Since you seem to prefer standards you do want to be sure you like the feet forward stance of a cruiser first, but if you do, this bike has been made for a long time so you should be able to find a good example whatever your price range.
Why is not buying a Honda "heartbreaking?" If you are that brand loyal, why not a Honda Shadow 750 or 600 (since you are willing to try a cruiser anyway in the Vulcan)? On many forums, both are put forth as good beginners bikes. The 750 is supposed to be pretty beginner friendly despite the 750cc, apparently a very easy bike to ride. The 600 is a bit less popular due to its 4 speed transmission, but can be found used for pretty reasonable prices. Also, how about a 1980's Honda UJM, a bit newer than the '70s versions, and some are supposed to be nearly indestructible?
I'm with you on not being into the sport bike style. I'm a high school teacher, and my students love them, and I did at their age too, but as a 290LB (soon to be) 40 year old I think I'd look silly on something like that (plus I just love the relaxed look of the cruisers and the, well, standard look of the old fashioned standards). Heck, even most of the current standards look to me a lot like the sport bikes (see the Suzuki Gladius or SV650).
On this and other forums many people strongly suggest dual purpose bikes for first-timers, but you will probably find them too big. I'm almost 6' tall, but I have a short inseam (30") and I found them too tall. If you can find one that fits it may be worthwhile.
You like the UJM, how about other older style standards? It may be over your limit, but the Triumph Bonneville is a great looking bike (I don't know what it goes for used). It is a 650cc, but one of the main complaints is that it is a bit underpowered, and one of the things I often see praised is the smooth delivery of power and forgiving clutch- all features that might make it a good bike for us beginners.
The Suzuki TU250 has already been mentioned. Read up on it, every review I've seen has been absolutely glowing- other than the Ninja 250 it sounds like the best overall 250 out there in addition to having a cool (and today, unusual) design. Just enough power for short trips on the highway, fun, but easy to ride for us beginners, good price (under $4K new), 80-90MPG, and it is different. Had it been available locally (the closest dealer that seemed to have one in stock was nearly 100 miles away) I probably would have bought it instead of my Suzuki C50. Once my car is paid off I may buy one as a second motorcycle for around town when my main motorcycle's 50MPG just isn't good enough.
Your reason for ruling out Harley seems to be outdated. I thought they were less reliable myself, until I started researching bikes. It sounds like they are about equal with the other big brands, and they may be easier to work on if you are mechanically inclined and want to do your own work. Most of the Sportsters (other than the Custom) have controls almost directly below the seating like a standard, not the feet forward of most cruisers. The 883cc of the Sportster may sound like too much as a beginner, but from most of what I read they are very underpowered for the size and the power delivery is very smooth and forgiving so it may not be too bad (and they are easy to add performance mods later when you are ready for more power). The biggest criticism I've seen of it for new riders is that it is top heavy, making it more likely to be dropped.
I really like your new option, the Vulcan 500. I came incredibly close to buying one (the best of the used bikes I looked at was one, and I thought about buying one new as well). They are nice bikes, and everything I read about them make them sound like nearly a perfect first time bike, if you want a cruiser style. Since you seem to prefer standards you do want to be sure you like the feet forward stance of a cruiser first, but if you do, this bike has been made for a long time so you should be able to find a good example whatever your price range.
Why is not buying a Honda "heartbreaking?" If you are that brand loyal, why not a Honda Shadow 750 or 600 (since you are willing to try a cruiser anyway in the Vulcan)? On many forums, both are put forth as good beginners bikes. The 750 is supposed to be pretty beginner friendly despite the 750cc, apparently a very easy bike to ride. The 600 is a bit less popular due to its 4 speed transmission, but can be found used for pretty reasonable prices. Also, how about a 1980's Honda UJM, a bit newer than the '70s versions, and some are supposed to be nearly indestructible?
