I'm not entirely sure, but I think she insulted me.

 

Passing the MSF Course is an absolute must. My wife took the course before she ever rode her bike for the first time. I had to ride it home from the dealer for her. Howyour wifefeels on different sizes of bikes will determine what direction she should go. My wife started out with a Yamaha V-Star 650 about 7 years ago. Rode that for a couple of years and got unhappy with it pretty quickly. So we upgraded her to a V-star 1100 and she was a lot happier for a while longer. We had to put a lowering kit on that one to make her completely comfortable at stops. A Harley was always on the back of her mind, and so this past winter we brought home the Nightster for her. She loves this bike more than anything else, and says she is more comfortable on it than either of the Yammies.

Best advice I can offer is patience, have her take the MSF course first, and find a bike that she feels comfortable on. A used bike (either Harley or metric) would probably be the best for starting out on.

 

Interestingly enough, my wife did the same thing! We both took the MSF course together, bought two Buell Blasts to learn to ride on. We upgraded toa Lowrider about a year or so later, and she rode it some, but lost interest and liked being a passenger more.

I'd say the MSF course is a definate requirement. If she's that dead set on a Sporty, then I guess you are kinda SOL, but I would recommend adifferent bike for her to start on. There's no shame learning on a metric cruiser. Plus when she gets more comfortable riding, you can rent a Sporty for a day and see how she likes it (the nice thing is alot of dealers will apply the rental price to the downpayment on a bike at their dealership!)

 

Now, hold on a minute here. Just how do you know kolni has 'something big'? Bob, what gives here, buddy? You holding out on us or what?

Stroh, sounds like you have the opposite problem I do. Momma took and passed the course. I have suggested multiple bikes, but she can't make a landing, even on a starter bike. H*ll, I even told her to plan on riding the 78 FLH, it is set up just perfect for her (Gee, wonder how that happened ). But she does the, it's too big. Sporties "vibrate too much"(She has never even ridden on one )
So, be glad yours has her mind made up.

 

My wife is my best riding partner. She took the class, passed. She will be the first to tell you that you will be the one needing the patience as you will be the one to get her road ready. I love my wife of 25 years, and I will tell you that the first road trip I was scared for her and thought what have I done. My wife rides a 2007 Sportster Low and now has almost 4000 miles. Plus thus far this year she has more miles than I do, her and another female rider are always going somewhere. I come in from work and it has been just me and the king. Good luck to you both. And by the way my wife is wanting a new bike, she is looking at a wide glide, the deluxe, and the Heritage. Today, it is the Wide Glide, but tommorrow it will be one of the other. You all know how they are. LOL

 

My wife bought a used 650 suzuki savage
rode it in the yard and at the school parking lot after hours for 5 months
took the MSF course ..passed with flying colors,only dropped the learner bike once
got her license ..only missed one question

She bought herself a brand new 250 hyosung alphasport ... don't ask ... I tried to defer her decision
put exactly 75 miles on it and parked it

its been sitting for two years
She decided ALL BY HERSELF that she is HAPPIER BEHIND ME

Every time we went out
I thought I would die before she made her decision NOT TO RIDE

 

Been there and done this. After she takes the course, and she still wants her own bike, convince her that a "starter" bike is the best option (Used Savage, GZ-250, Rebel, etc.) Her confidence and skills will increase faster if she's riding a bike that she can (and she will) drop, without worrying toomuch about it. The basic skills need to be practiced, and for a new rider, that practice should NOT be on a nice shiny expensive Harley. If the thrill wears off, you're only out two or three thousand.

If she just wants the image of a Harley, then "skills" are not going to be a priority for her. The course will merely serve as the legal authority for herto ride her new Harley perfectly in a straight line until a curve comes to fast and it's off to the hospital/repair shop. A Sportster is NOT a great trainer. (Don't post about how YOU learned on a Sportster. If you have ANY experience, you KNOW it's not a great starter)

The first six months my wife rode her GZ-250 were miserable for me. I was petrified she would kill herself. But she practiced the basic skills and after about 9 months (I think) she bought a Sporty. We now enjoy riding together, and she has proven to be a skilled, responsible,rider.

Good luck

 

Get her a bike that you wouldn't mind riding................just in case.

 

Go for it! Got the wife a 06 sporty for Christmas in 06. It does take some getting used to though. A lot of getting used to! Personally, I find it more relaxing when my wife's a passenger. However, I just get over it and ride. (She did take MSF class though [sm=goodidea.gif]and

was #1) Oh yea, she rides the pi** out of it too.

 

I know exacly how you feel. I just went through the same thing.
I relaxed though once I saw her get used to the new bike and realized she knew what she was doing. I think your feelings are very normal and she will be nervous at first too. You will both settle down real quick.