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Here is a completely different thought about bikes for such a tall person. Consider a well used KLR 650. It is designed to be tossed into the weeds repeatedly and mercilessly without complaint. They are cheap and basic, not terribly fast but adequate for the freeway and they go just about anywhere. Being 6'-7, the height of an enduro bike (OK, dual sport for you people who can still grow hair) isn't an issue for you. You could drop it, pound it, learn on it, and sell it in a year for about what you paid for it.
By then, you will know what kind of riding you like to do and want to do more of, what your behavior on a bike really is, and how to deal with things as they come. For example, when I first started riding on the street again about ten years ago, I bought an old CB650 to figure it all out. I wasn't sure whether I would be interested in putting along, looking for dirt roads, or what. Turns out, I gravitated to sportbikes. Other people gravitate to other kinds of riding and other bikes. You don't know until you start.
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...yes, buying a cheap used small displacement bike definitely has its advantages in terms of safety and expense. however, there's also something to be said for getting a bike that really excites you and encourages you to ride every chance you get. just looking at your bike should make your blood boil and make you want to saddle up and ride. i've heard of many people buying a ninja 250, for instance, and getting bored with it very quickly (i'm talking like 3 months). that's why you can find 5 almost-new ones for sale on craigslist at any given point. definitely don't buy a brand-new one because you're going to lose money when you sell it in 3 - 6 months. when i was shopping around for my first bike, i was advised to buy my "second" bike first, meaning you're better off going with a more powerful bike right away and then growing into it than having a little putter that your capabilities quickly outgrow. it's kinda like the saying, "it's better to have a gun and not need one than to need a gun and not have one". just because you have the power available doesn't mean you necessarily have to use it. to echo a previous poster, the ultimate throttle is in between your ears - not on the handle bar. i went ahead and took the risk of buying my dream bike (the striple) right out of the gates. now, i'm very level-headed with a lot of willpower and not a dare devil by any means so i trust myself not to get too big for my britches. only you can answer that question for yourself. good luck!
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