I´m about the same height and weight, and the V-Strom was my first bike as well. It´s very beginner-friendly, other than the seat height. Go sit on one and decide. You can lower it a bit...get a set of lowering links from www.murphskits.com and raise the forks a good 1/2" to 3/4" and it´ll make a noticable difference. Take the MSF Beginner Rider Course as well....will help you out quite a bit. And yes, get a DL650 before they sell out, as they sell like hotcakes (although I never see anyone else around here on one...go figure LOL). It´s a really fun bike and very easy to ride. Can´t say enough good things about it....