My (ex) wife and daughter were both gonna buy one of the Vulcans, but ended up with HD's instead. Both are small in stature and liked the fit, looks, size, and balance of the 500. $800 is an excellent price- sure beats a few grand for something that may get dropped a time or two. It also probably runs as good as it did when new. IIRC it's the same (but updated) engine that was in the 454 LTD back in the 80's, so the engine has been around awhile and has a good track record for reliability. Heck, even if you went with a new one, they can be had for around 4 grand.

I can understand your wanting to surprise her, and I get what these guys are saying about she needs to make the choice. You could always sit down with her on the internet & say "Hey, check out these bikes" & show her some of the suggestions made here. You'll find out what she likes, and if she thinks you're just looking at bikes for the heck of it, probably won't suspect you're planning something...

 

Hmmm. I'm mixed about whether I would like to be surprised, or pick it out myself. I personally LOVE to be surprised, but a bike does need to feel just right and fit just right. SO, that said, I'd vote to surprise her either by taking her to a dealer somewhere under some ruse, or, what about a giftwrapped "IOU".

If you decided to surprise her with an actual bike, the Shadow was one of my front runners before I went to Harley (from my first bike, a Suzuki). I am 5'-4" and I liked the way the Shadow felt, and loved the looks. If you go for a Harley, and considering a Sportster, I would suggest the "Low", models rather than the regular. I had an 883 Low, then a 1200 Nighster (also a "low" model) and they fit perfectly as far as height was concerned.

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

Ok, well I decided to tell her. I didn't exactly tell her, she kinda figured it out because I tld her she only gets her bday present if she does good in her MSF class. Dead giveaway, huh? So now we just gotta find the bike. Planning on doing that after we get moved in July. Thanks for your help, everyone!!

 

Just picked up for my wife a 1985 Honda V30 Magna with 13k for $900 off CL.
She absolutely loves it and it scoots for a 500cc
Great starter IMO

<edit> Oh,and she's not terrified of hurting it if she drops it.When she gets more comfortable she'll upgrade to a Harley.

 

My girlfriend bought a suzuki savage(s40) for her first bike. She loves it. It's single cylinder 650. It's cheap, light and very dependable. We bought a 2000 with 7000 miles for $1200. It has all the power she needs.

 

The Savage (S40) gets my vote too. My first street bike was a 1988 Savage 650, which I loved. After a not-so-good experience trying to ride our 1983 Ironhead Sportster, I went and bought the Savage. I hopped on that bike and just started to ride! My confidence level went way up on that bike.

 

The best advice I can give a woman is that the size of the bike does not matter (The bikes weight and engine size) as long as she can put both feet on the ground flat footed. If she can place both feet on the ground flat footed it will make her riding experience alot better. If you find a bike you like check into lowering it if needed. Here is my wife after I lowered her bike and she is the first to say that standing on your tip toes to hold your bike up sucks.

 

I recently asked around what I should get for my first bike and it was unanimous- used metric. That way it costs less and you won't feel so bad dropping it while learning. So I got a 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic. It's a good size, not too heavy and has power. It will make a good FIRST bike while learning, that I will not get bored with quickly.

If you do pick one out for her - just make sure you say it's her first and when comfortable and ready, she can pick out her first NEW one...