Wifey got motorcycle license... now what bike?

Hobbit

well said, i think i said the very same thing in my 2nd reply, and yes someone did choose my bike and that would be my wife

__________________
not riding fast just flying low
peace thru superior horse power

readski

Thank one and all for your comments.... love that white 883L.... never thought about a dyna...will follow up with what ever 'she' decides is best for her....

whatyardwork

Alot of good suggestions here.As suggested in a previous post"opinions are like coffee"..Heres my cup.Four years ago my wife got her liscence and we went through this very issue.We put money down on a sporty and thought we were all set.After our 3rd visit to the dealer I noticed the look on her face as she strattled the sporty.It was a look of feer.The sporty was too top heavy and even at 5 7" her legs were fully extended.She felt far more cumfortable on my softail as it simply sits much lower.Topping out at nearly 700lbs. I had a big problem with putting her on a softail for her first bike.Realizing how many close calls I have had simply parking my scoot due to loose gravle,wet grass,oily pavement etc..I knew a softy was simply not a smart choice.I have no doubt she can ride my 08 streetglide,that dosent meen I wish to be present when her knee snapps because her foot slid 3 inches on sandy pavement when trying to put the kickstand down.In the end we took a trip to a motorcycle show offering her the chance to sit on every bike imaginable.When she sat on the Honda Shadow ACE I was quick to recognize another look on her face..happyness.Still a big bike the Shadow 750 at 200lbs. lighter fit her perfectly.Here it is 4 years later with 14000 miles of comfortable confident riding under her belt she's ready to step up to a Harley.Im not saying new riders should go out and buy a Honda.Simply make sure whatever you put her on, make sure she's got that look of confidence when she's sitting on it.

brderj

I had a similar issue. My girl was content to being a passenger, never had a single urge to ride on her own.....until the day she took the safety course. Now this very independent, intelligent woman rides the 2008 screamin eagle springer softail. She has a bigger badder bike than I do lol

joyflyin

I started with the deuce. I don't regret it a bit. But, it was my choice, and other than studying the bikes and the looks I liked, the only info I had was what my friends told me. They did tell me I would not be happy with the sportster for very long. But that's just me. Now, I kind of like the looks of the 1200, olive & black with black ceramic pipes, not that I look, but that does catch my eye. Best advice I can give, go with what feels best to her.

readski

went on a local run this weekend with about 50 other bikes.... to my amazement there was a girl riding a VROD... taller than my wife but not any stronger looking... she looked real 'good' on that bike... of course I pointed that out to my wife (not the smartest thing to do as wifey's do get jealous ... especially younger good 'lookers' ) anybody know much about the VROD?

Hobbit

it has a water cooled Porsche developed engine produces about 120hp is one of the fastest accelerating production bikes, new ones have a 240mm rear tire, they do a kit to reduce peg reach and a seat when combined it moves the controls approx 2" closer.
Very nice bikes and with the correct pipes sound incredible

__________________
not riding fast just flying low
peace thru superior horse power

brderj

I never got use to the Vrod. I loved the stories that came around when it first came out but I never found to be appealing to myself. With that said, I too saw a female ride on one and thought she looked pretty good on the bike. I agree, with the right pipes that thing sounds amazing.

Moose

My wife just purchased her first Harley. We went through many bikes as options; Vrod, Rocker, Night Train, Crossbones, Fat Bob, and Nightster. In the end she went with the Nightster. She felt it gave her the best fit (5'6") and she really liked the mean old school look to it. I tried to push her towards a bigger bike (only so I could ride it too!) but once she zero'd in the choice was made. Then she got out the parts catalog and started making me out the weekend installation schedule that I was going to be working.

joyflyin

I thought I wanted a vrod first. That was what I started looking at, but after talking to a sales guy one day, I was sitting on the vrod, and he just gave me information to think about. He basically said that it wasn't the best handling bike at lower speeds, and that it had a relatively large turning radius. I just figured that wouldn't be the best start for me. I'm not sure if the deuce will be much better in the turning radius, but I like it! I appreciated the fact that the sales guy just answered questions, and stated that he didn't want to steer me in a direction I didn't want to go, but he just gave me information to consider. Ask her what she likes, looks & styles etc, then go sit on lots of bikes I started looking and studying in the fall, but didn't buy anything until the spring. I new the bike felt just right