I would definitely buy a Harley. When I had Yamaha I always felt like I was on a copy of a Harley. When I decided to get back in to bikes, I told all the guys if I'm going to have a bike that looks like a Harley, then it's going to be a Harley. My first was a 2000 1200-C loved it. Felt really good to be on a Harley. But the vibs at highway speeds hurt my hands. So I got a 06 1200-C rubber mount much better for highway speeds love this one to.
I have a friend 6'3" around 270 lbs and he looks a bit large on a Sportster. You will definitely need forwards controls. If you can swing it a 04 and up also have a larger rear tire and the Custom has a larger gas tank, I love that too.
I think a Dyna would fit you better, but that would be hard to do for around $5500. A Sportster will work for you if you want it too. You could wait a year and try to save up about $3000 more and get a older Dyna. But with all this "Hope and Change" we are going through, that might be hard to do... Good luck, and let us know what you get.

 

12" or 12.5" should work for you. A cookie-cutter response is 12" Progressive 412 shocks and a Mustang Vintage Wide Touring seat for 4.5 gallon tank on a 1200 Custom.

http://www.mustangseats.com/cart/ind...=4_124_132_170

You can find cheaper seats, and almost anything you get will be better than the stock seat, unless your butt is one of the very few that actually FITS the stock one. Another option is the Sundowner seat from Harley Davidson. Reasonably priced and a pretty good seat, from the comments it gets. Most touring seats regardless of manufacture sit the rider from 1/2" to an inch higher than stock. Just make sure of the model year and size of the gas tank before you order saddles.

Go to the dealership and sit on some sportsters. Some dealerships are weird about you sitting on the bikes without a sales rep with you, but others are cool. Ask to sit on some Sportsters just to see how they fit you. Then try to imagine how much more you would like to sit up in the seat. Err on the low side. Sit on the Custom. Feel that. Then sit on an XR1200 if they have one. Feel that. It's 30" at least. Then sit on a Nightster. Feel that. That one's LOW! According to Progressive Suspension website, the Custom has 11.5" shocks (2009 model year). Either the stock shocks or Progressives can be adjusted to where you don't sink down so much when you sit on the bike. Progressive offers the 412 line up to 13.5". 12" or 12.5" should work for you. I sincerely apologize I'm the only one trying to address your question of shock height and about the only one NOT qualified to address it! But folks your size and larger than you ride stock height Customs all the time and are happy with them.

Teek

 

Hey, I'm 6'4" here, and I love my 883. I did go with a sundowner seat, and somepoint soon I'm going to get some 12.5" heavy duty progressive 412s. The problem with the stock shocks really only comes when I'm riding 2-up. But I do bottom out on my own as well. Anyway you asked for a picture so I got one.

 

I went Friday and rode a 2004 1200 Sportster with 12" apes and foward controls and to me the bike fit me well but that was the first bike I had ever ridden and I absolutely love it, makes me want one even more now. I would love to have a softail or dyna but the funds will not allow that right now. I will just not pay attention to anyone to anyone that says its a girl bike or too small a bike, because it better to be ride a sporty than wishing for a softie

 

That's cool! It means you don't have to immediately go to the expense of seat and shocks right away! So find you a good '04 and up 1200 Sportster Custom within your budget, and enjoy! And Happy Independance Day, albeit a day late.

Teek

 

Forget about the brand (that said I ride a sporty bagger). Buy what feels best for you. 2 wheels is 2 wheels. Let the flaming on this forum towards me begin! But I say buy what feels "you" regardless of what brand it is. When you sit on the bike that suits you, you will know it. And **** on anyone who slams you for what you bought. It's your ride!!!! Buy the bike that is "you" and ride the hell out of it.

Oh wait, I see you bought a sporty. Hope you enjoy the hell out of it like I have mine. But there are many other cool bikes out there you would have also liked.

 

I'd suggest getting tall shocks- 13.25 or 13.5 Progressives
Shop the boards here and ebay for a vintage Mustang seat
Forward Controls and you should be ready to rock,
Ride for a while and then address the handlebars- you'll know if you need a change to suit you better.

 

Is this close to what you are looking for?
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/motor...ter-1200c.html

 

I look at that bike but he couldnt get it into my price range. I havent bought a bike yet just had a buddy take me to an abandoned parking lot and practices taking off, shifting, etc to see what I thought, then did a couple runs up to about 40 mph and wow for those that say this is a girl bike it sure can accelerate hard imo. I know its probaly out of the question, im looking to find an 2004 for around 5k then leave me around 700-1000 bucks to replace the bars, seat, and add saddle bags. Would pay more for a bike that has these things already as it would save me some money.