astrahl: First step take the MSF course (as has been mentioned before) it's a great way to learn the basics of riding. I'll be taking the experienced rider's course this summer even though I've been riding for close to 30 years.
for the rest of my 2 cents:
for a learner bike get something in the 250-650 range, buy it used from a dealer if possible, plan on selling it in a year or two to move up.
RallyX
I'm about your size (6'4" 250lbs) and
I rode a yamaha 650 from the mid '70s to the mid '80s, then in 2002 bought a gs650 suzuki to re-learn to ride, bought a Kaw Vulcan 1500 classic in mid '04 and am as happy as a pig in a trough.
by the way one of the reasons I got the vulcan is my sister-in-law got a Nomad, and her husband now has a 1600 classic. couldn't be seen on a 23 year old 650 riding with them
