I would suggest a standard/cruiser as you'll have more room and be more comfortable and I'd say that the absolute minimum to give you adequate pick-up would be an 800 although you'll probably be happier with a 1000cc or higher.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.