Nothing wrong with Sportys. But if it was me, being of your size...I would look more at the FatBob, Fatboy, Heritage or Roadking. You may or may not be able to afford a used touring model, such as a StreetGlide, RoadGlide or Ultra.
Good luck, and remember to post pictures!

 

When you're new to riding and Harleys, that makes it doubly hard to figure out what you like. Take your time and try everything because you may be surprised at what you like.

Don't forget about the Road King, as others have said. Good all around bike.

OR my advice to a new rider is usually: get a cheap Japanese piece of crap that's already beat up, beat up on it some more, then get a Harley. So that way you're dropping the POS instead of the Harley.

 

What ever Ur first on is, just dont spend much $$$$.
If U heart is set on a HD then in a Yr or so U'll want a full sized one anyway more than likely.

some even get a jap 750 crusier or so, there cheap used and fairly good sized for a big guy.. then sell it after learning more and U'll not loose too much and then get U HD..

 

As a now-former Sportster owner I can say without a doubt that the challenge with some big guys and Sportsters may have more to do with mid controls than the actual Sportster. That most certainly was my challenge.

I'm quickly approaching 51, 5'10" and around 225. I recently started finding that my foot position was becoming bothersome when I rode... Well that and the fact that my center of balance was, unfortunately, getting higher as my middle got rounder.

My solution was to get rid of the Sporty and replace it with a Heritage. Much more comfortable in the saddle... and having floorboards is just so much nicer than mid controls. For me it was a win-win!