I agree with smartass. You don´t want your first bike to be your last. The Katana would be a heavy first bike and any 600cc sportbike is NOT ment for a beginner. Here is my advice, I´m 6´2" 225 and I ride a Suzuki GS500F - fits me fine. Go sit on bikes and don´t buy into the "you´ll grow out of it" hype. If you´re really worried about growing out of your bike, buy a used Suzuki GS500, Kawasaki Ninja 250 or Ninja 500. You can ride it for a year and then sell it for close to what you paid for it. I would also suggest the MSF class. Then again, if you need your bike to supplement your ego - buy a 600cc bike. I just hope you don´t kill yourself.