Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: New Rider, sportster, curves

Question
My husband has up-sized to a H-D Heritage Softail.  I am now just learning to ride and have startedout on his 1996 H-D 1200 XL Sportster.  Is this too much bike for me or do you think with enough practice,I'll be okay with it.  Is it top-heavy or is that just my imagination?  It seems to handle curves/leans fairly well but I am nowhere near testing its limits yet.  I'm still uncomfortable turning right or left from a stop and tend to duck-walk it a lot.
Any advice??  Thanks so much

Answer
The XL is too much motorcycle for a beginner. I wouldn't say it's too powerful, but the weight of the bike can be a lot to manage.

A much better choice would be a bike in the 250-650cc range. Spend a couple years learning to ride on a smaller bike, then all the skills will transfer over very well to the XL when you're ready for it.

One problem new riders have is that bigger bikes tend to mask technique errors and control problems, making them feel like a better rider than they really are. This allows riders to get quickly in over their heads without realizing it, and their skills are not up to the task.

Start small. Don't rush it.

Pat