I feel like a slacker now.....

Why does anyone think a Sportster is a good bike for a beginner and/or a woman?? It's not. It's not a light bike. It's a bit top heavy. It vibrates.(okay, so maybe a positive). But most of all, it has a slack fork rake making turning not as easy or intuitive as a bike with a steeper steering head angle. My sister, who is tall, had a Sportster as her first bike and it was a miserable experience for her for the reason stated above. I'm not saying the Sportster is a bad bike. It isn't. But I feel it's for a more experienced rider contrary to popular opinion. Shocking I know.

My sister ended up buying a Suzuki GS500 to get better acquainted with riding and that bike worked great - much easier to ride. That would be a good starter bike for not too much $$. Then she ended up trading the Sportster in on a Heritage which has that steeper steering rake - much much easier for her. Which is not to say it's the right bike for Tanya. It isn't. Too heavy and expensive. And I'm not convinced a V-star or any other "cruiser" type bike is appropriate either for the same steering issue.

Cheryl is a relatively new rider and the XG500 was the bike she did the course on. It worked very well for her, so you are correct - great choice. I've seen them go for as low as $3500. The XG750 would be similar. That said, I'm not a fan "just because". The Moto Guzzi V7 is of similar dimension to the XG500 and Cheryl liked it so that's what we got. They can be had for as low as $4000. It's a great bike and Cheryl enjoys it. Parts are easy to get and I do most of the work myself so the "rarity" of the V7 isn't an issue for us.

 

Not to mention how well they clean with only a Scotch Bright scouring sponge.

 

True here too. I thought my Springer would make a nice option for my wife as well but she sat on it, got the feel of the bike's balance and got back off without riding it. Even though it is a softail it is not the same. As much as I love my Springer it is the most ill handling motorcycle I have ever owned.

 

The real critical issue here folks, is can Tanya (like Tucker) wear her cut, while riding a Suzzy ?

 

...and will Chris sport a 'Property of Tanya, like Tucker' cut?

 

Don't you have to earn that patch through rigorous trial ?
Might be thinking of something else ....

 

rigorous trial? They are married....the defense rests, Your Honor.

 

I'm thinking the hbv knows no boundaries.

 

I dunno Bob, we all seem to have thrown a Monkey Wrench into an otherwise well-oiled system and rank -

 

Geez fellas! I go to lunch and come back to... Well, nothing I didn't expect.

She jokes that I'll be wearing her name on my cut when she gets a bike and seems to think I'll ride bitch with her. That's cute, I outweigh her, but I'd like to see her try. As far as the cut on a "Suzzy" no but that's irrelevant. I want her to be able to ride something she can handle and not get hurt. Everything else is secondary to that. Hence the reasons I asked you guys, you're a wealth of knowledge. All knowledge. We should have a thread about it!