If you like the Harley or cruiser style but want a small bike to start with I don't think you can go far wrong with the HyoSung GV250EFI The finish is not the best apparantly but for the price it seems a good bike. I have my eye on the 650 Harley V-Rod lookalike. Motor Cycle News rate it as one of the best handling cruisers they have ever come across. The link I posted is the UK version but as HyoSung is Korean I guess you can get them in the states?

DeG
Everything from a Lambretta GT200 to a Triumph T110 Chopper
Last bike - Honda CV500 Custom - No room for one just at the moment and strictly a fair weather biker now :-)