Check out the 1200 Iron, best bang for the buck, looks a lot like the 48 but you get the bigger, better proportioned 3.3 gal tank.

 

I went in for a 2017 1200 Custom 2 years ago and rode out on a 2017 Sportster Forty-Eight instead. It's my first bike and I'm still loving it in spite of the tank size but, I second this advise being, I've been eyeing the 3.3 gallons tanks for a while now and wish they had this option when I got mine. If you go new, just get an engine guard and stay careful. That's what I did. If I had done otherwise, I probably wouldn't be as happy. "...and I'm also my bike's first!"

 

***(Posted a reply yesterday but It doesn't seem to have appeared for some reason so made a new one)

Thanks for the replies & info folks, appreciate it.

The people that said get a used bike for starters are probably right - I didnt run about in a brand new car when i passed my test, which I had one or two little scrapes/bumps in the first year of passing due to inexperience to some extent.

My main concern with buying a used bike was that I thought I might be better putting that money towards a new one later in a few months or so, but I can see the benefit of getting a cheaper one to learn on.

In Scotland you can ride about on a 125cc in the streets as a learner driver (cant go on highways) or if you have a full car driving license. I'm leaning towards maybe getting the 125 CC honda shadow to run about on for a few months till I pass my test and gain some experience riding - then look at a sportster. They are a little pricey but maybe worth It in the short term and trade it in later, I found one online at £2200 that looks in decent condition, I also found a 250CC honda rebel at the bargain price of £700 but being a 250cc it would be a little higher than the legal limit (125cc) for learners not sure If It would be a major issue to tip toe around Its alot cheaper than the 125cc but not as good condtion.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812113184198?advertising-location=at_bikes&make=HONDA&radius=1500&model=VT1 25%20SHADOW&seller-type=trade&price-to=3500&sort=price-asc&postcode=ky26lf&cc-to=125&page=1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811172511394?advertising-location=at_bikes&radius=1500&seller-type=trade&price-to=1000&year-to=2016&sort=year-desc&postcode=ky26lf&body-type=Custom%20Cruiser&cc-to=300&page=1