Ryan,
I'll give you my perspective. The very best advice so far is to take an MSF or AMA aproved riders course. You need this & it will also lower your insurance costs.
The style of bike that you get depends more upon what you want to do rather than how big you are. I would recommend that you start off with something a little smaller, no bigger than a 650. A standard or cruiser type will be more forgiving than a sport bike. Used is the way to go for your first bike because at some point you will drop it. It might not be your fault, but it's gonna happen. Especially on those NJ roads. The simpler the machine the less costly it will be to repair & service.
Buy the best helmet you can afford. Full face. It's a little hot in the summer, but it beats reconstructive surgery. Same with boots & gloves. Always assume that everyone driving a cage is an idiot.
I started out with vintage British iron in my teens and then rode nothing but Japanese sport bikes for years. I was in the industry for close to 10 years before switching to culinary, working for Honda & Kawasaki dealerships mostly as parts & service manager. I saw a lot of stuff in those days, including the loss of 3 friends. If you're going to get into this, please take it very seriously.
Dave