Well as far as cruisers go Eternal would be correct on my first recommendation. In my area I actually wish I would have kept mine as Kawi had quit making them and they are hard as all get out to find. My youngest daughter wants to start riding soon to. I am 5’10” so the extra 2 inches wouldn’t be much of a bother for you. Depending if that 2 inches is in your upper body or legs. However any forward control adjustments can be had to help. Others on the list would a V-Star 650. Not too much bigger of a bike. If I remember correctly a little more leg room. Honda has a 750 that would also be a good starter.
You have to remember cruisers are built different from street/sport bikes. They are not intended to be the fast and furious, though like any horse, you lay into it and it will go! Most of your power is in the lower end, or rather the beginning of the gear to get the bike going and up to speed. The general styling of a cruiser is to …..well….. cruise. Not much top end needed to do that. Going up to the Honda 750 would be about as far as I personally would recommend as a beginner. I went from my Vulcan 500 to my now Vulcan 900 Classic LT. Let me tell you the first thing I get is “It’s only 400cc more” . That’s a HUGE difference. Equate it to going from lets say a 2.2 Chevy Crapalier….Cavalier…to a 3.8 Chevy Monte Carlo.
When getting one, your first and absolute imperative goal should be slow speed maneuvers. This is with any bike but especially for cruisers. They are longer bikers (for highway stability) and can be like a Cadillac in tight spaces. Meaning they don’t turn on a dime for a rookie. Get used to the dynamics of the bike. Get the video “Ride like a Pro” and Practice. I laugh when ever I see guys/gals near my mechanic shop ride through the mall because they can’t do a u-turn on their bikes. And all types have been through there lemme tell ya.