Learning to ride on a bigger motorcycle?

So I have taken the Motorcycle Safety Course and gotten my endorsement and went out with my dad and got a motorcycle. We bought a 1999 Honda VT1100 shadow and its a pretty sick bike. I just wanted to know some peoples thoughts about this. Its not terribly heavy I think its dry weight is like 550 pounds, i can stand it up walk it around and sway it side to side. I'm just under six feet tall. The bike doesn't go faster than 95 miles per hour I think but its got enough torque for the cruising obvious by the engine displacement. I didn't have any previous riding experience except for riding snow mobiles i guess. I live in a quiet town so learning on back roads isn't a problem. I did very well in the course. I just wanted to know some tips for learning to ride on motorcycle on the heavier side. I know its best to ride something smaller to start but there's not much i can do now. I'm cautious and won't take it anywhere fast until i have a pretty good feel for the bike.

I guess an 1100 Shadow is on the large side for a learner bike, but if you can handle it I wouldn't say it was too big. Cruisers have a lower center of gravity, which makes them easier to manage for their size. They have a lot of other advantages for newbies. The Shadow 750 is a very popular first bike, and the 1100 is only a little bigger. The Harley Sportster is also very popular as a first bike, and it's just about the same size and weight (but less refined).

As far as learning goes, it's just like with a smaller bike except it's bigger. 8^) Ride around quiet back roads, avoid traffic until the controls are automatic, so you don't have to take a second to think 'Uh. Which of these doodads is the brake?' Sounds like you've already gotten that far. Ride a little slower than you think you can because it gives you just a fraction of a second longer to evaluate situations, react to traffic, etc., and that can make a big difference! Never assume drivers of cars see you, it's YOUR job to stay out of THEIR way, and they will always say they didn't see you. Keep track of your tire pressures!