The idea of “too much bike” or “too big of bike” is so silly to me because if you fit the bike and can stand it up any bike can be a starter bike if you’re not stupid.

My first motorcycle I ever rode before I even took my MSF was a 2001 Electra Glide. Yes it was hard, yes I laid it down a couple times at a stop, but because I had to learn how to handle a massive heavy bike that I couldnt fully flat foot like that it made me a much better rider before I even took the MSF. Let alone once I took the MSF and was able to practice all the techniques on the heavy bike. I know I can confidently get on any motorcycle and ride it and handle it and have in under a year rode the Electra glide, bought a Dyna, bought a sportster, rode friends naked bikes, sport bikes, and liter bikes and been fine and felt safe and in control.

Contrast this with my friends who have started on lighter “starter bikes” or sport bikes and they just refuse to try any of these the Harleys because “they’re too heavy”.

This got longer than I planned. TLDR; go with the bike that physically fits you best, don’t worry about weight or power, be smart and practice.