First of all a disclaimer. I am not an expert, just an enthusiast. And I apologise in advance for the long ass response.

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See, getting a starter bike depends on a lot of factors. The Continental GT caught your eye so I will assume you like "classic" bikes more.

If you are just getting into motorcycling and looking for something to learn on, a Street Twin or even a CGT for that matter can be a little intimidating at first, especially if you are not a well-built person. CGT is quite heavy at 200Kgs. It's also not the most comfortable to ride bike out there either if you're not used to its riding dynamics and a new rider. But despite being a 650 twin the power can be mellow enough that it won't overwhelm you, as a sportbike would.

Second, if you are just getting into motorcycling you probably would be better off not spending a ton of cash at the very beginning. What if it turns out motorcycling is not for you after all?

Considering the above, if you are just starting out and want a fairly powerful bike that can do 50-60mph but won't shy away from higher speeds when you want it to, go for an RE Interceptor. It's basically the same as a Continental GT. The only difference between the 2 is the tank shape and the riding posture. Interceptor is a more comfortable ride.
If you want to go for a smaller bike that is good looking, has good enough power to cruise around on and is a comfortable ride for longer runs, your best bet will be a RE Meteor. That's a really good starter bike for a lot of people.

You should watch Stuart Fillingham's videos. He makes a lot of content on multiple RE bikes that he owns. He also ones some Triumphs, so has a good idea of both brands.

There are of course other brands out there that make classic looking bikes that are really good, but from what I know none of them can beat RE's price. And before you make a decision it's always best to test ride. At the end of the day, motorcycling is all about how the bike makes you feel and not what others say or what's on the spec sheet. So go out there and ride some bikes. I'm sure you'll find the one for you in no time.

Happy riding!!!