Im your size +1 inch, same weight and a few years older.
As my signature shows, I owned an 07 Suzuki C50, moved up to a Yamaha VSTAR 1300 Tourer and then in 14 what I consider my ultimate, a 14 Harley Road King.
We do a lot of interstate, 2 hours one way to the beach, two hours the other way to the Smoky Mountains.
Most always two up with some exceptions. My wife is petite.
I have had all three bikes up to the Smoky's many times. We go at least twice every summer, one of those times is for 4 nights or so.
Blue Ridge Parkyway, Maggie Valley, Tail of the Dragon, Chimney Rock, Cherohala Skyway, Maryville TN, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg etc.
The Suzuki c50 was more then capable at 800 cc but I out grew it fast. I cant say it was a mistake, enjoyed the bike and was a good bike to learn on, its light and nimble.
With that said, looking back, if someone was asking I would most likely skip that C50 step and go right to the Yamaha VSTAR 1300 tourer if your looking to doing a good amount of riding and cruising right at the start.
I say that because at interstate speeds the Vstar 1300 was a more comfortable, well planted ride, less likely to get blown around by trucks, high winds etc. The power to weight ratio was nice and quite honestly they, to me are the only ones in that sweet spot..
The C50 although capable of sustained 75 MPH GPS speeds would get buzzy at those speeds. If you do not plan on that type of riding or just want a lighter bike to start out on, then a 800 to 900 cc bike I think would be perfect for you, also in that class is a Kawaski Vulcan 900.
If you want to take a step up, I feel the Vstar 1300 is not so overbearingly heavy that it would give you a problem, and you will adapt to it quickly but that has to be what you are comfortable with. Without question I think over time you will be more happy with the vstar 1300 but we are all different and have different ideas on what we want out of a bike.
One word about the metric bikes, most of them the speedometers lie. You have to add another 8 to 9% of what the speedometer says to know your actual speed. Why they do this I do not know, maybe the lack of a sixth gear. Its why I quote GPS speed, not the speedometer speed.
Ok, on to the 14 Road King, its my ultimate bike, the lightest out of Harleys touring bikes, all built on the same frame and engine but without the weight of a fairing, same exact bike.
I personally think its to much for someone new to learn on or better said, someone asking a question like you are I would not recommend such a heavy bike, its not needed by a new rider.
For us now, knowing how to ride some years later, its the ultimate ride, well planted, nice power, comfort (wife would never let me sell this one) Can effortlessly cruise all day at any speed and the engine just hums, it doesnt notice wind gusts or trucks on the interstate, its an interstate cruiser for sure. Believe it or not, I NEVER thought I would own a Harley, thought they were over priced and Heavy. Well, now that I own one I (and my wife) understand, its quite a machine.
Good luck with your decision! Its not the brand of bike, its the ride and fun factor of riding. Only you can determine what is needed for that fun and you must be comfortable. The C50 gave me that comfort in the beginning, I cant see riding up in your area with a less then 800cc bike.
Another GREAT option is ABS but not available to my knowledge on the C50 or 1300 in the USA, another reason for the Road King purchase with ABS, will never own another bike with out it. But now we are getting ahead of ourselves.
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