What is a good cruiser style motorcycle for a beginner?

You need to stay under 500cc sizes for your first bike. A 750 Shadow is pretty bulky when you top it with 3.8 gallons of fuel. Gasoline weighs 6.5 pounds per gallon. That's a bit much for a beginner. Look for a cheap small bike and learn the basics, THEN look for a larger ccruiser. Look at the Harley Sportster L series. I think they look good and definitly have a name. After that? I ride a 2008 750 Shadow Aero.