I am 5'9" also, about 205Lbs. you will want the floor boards or you will be throwing your left hip out to make the reach to the shifter, unles you get a brand new one which they fixed that problem on,

I do not concider this bike a beginner bike at all. as stated, it will lope along very confidently, but when you whant to "hit and get it" just work your gear box and rev her up. fast take offs require a good RPM and a featherd clutch.
This is a great ride!

welcome to the merry band of misfits!

Mal: "Y'all see the man hanging out of the spaceship with the really big gun?{ref, Jayne} Man's lookin' to kill some folk. So really, it's his will y'all should worry about thwarting."