Originally Posted by Imold

Does she have any riding experience, or would this be her starter bike? 350 lbs or less, even a small woman can usually hold it up easily, 550+, can be a challenge just getting a little off balance for a man. Smaller Japanese bikes shift real smooth, light clutch, and you can push them a fair amount without them getting ahead of you. I got my daughter a 250 Honda Nighthawk, better road bike than the enduro, handles very well and the clutch and transmission were so smooth and easy you almost couldn't screw up. Kind of boring, actually, but not to a beginner at first. Would be real easy to drop a Harley in the garage and pay more to fix it than the Honda cost. I got it for $800 used, and it's rare to see one under $1000. Or you could let her ride your bike a few times first, so she wouldn't be as likely to put scratches on her new one later.

Originally Posted by Imold

I've met ladies that were scared off by sportsters, those aren't what I'd call forgiving bikes, especially a 1200. Doesn't help that they used to all come with the worst handling motorcycle tire I've ridden on, Dunlop 400 series. My daughter wanted her first ride on the road (after the motorcycle course) on a Harley, just had the 883 and the Tour Glide then, loved it but said too much bike for her comfort level and likes my smaller ones better. My daughter said my little Yamaha enduro is the most fun, and really likes riding off road. That's how to pick up handling skills real quick, too, without the asphalt rash and thousand dollar bike repairs, but she didn't like that it stranded her over a mile into some Wisconsin woods once. Starter quit a while back, I was planning on doing a frame up and repaint on it with my grandson this summer, but I think I've seen him 2 or 3 times so far, it'll probably stay in the shed another year at least, with two boys, a girl and a don't know yet, she won't be riding this summer anyway.

Originally Posted by RIPbiker13

Moldy, so what you're saying is, getting my wife a Sportster 48 is a bad idea?

Not kidding, that's what she wants. I imagine if that's the case I would have gone with her to test ride it for her and came back and said nope, no way. So, where would be a good place to look for a bike she could ride that won't scare her off? She likes the styling of the bike but I've never ridden one so I didn't know that would be a bad option. I can look into the enduro. Hopefully she'd accept my advice if I went to her with this info?

I started on a little bike and worked my way up. I'm glad I did. Big bikes can get away from you fast if you don't know what you're doing. Sometimes, if you DO know what you're doing.

Originally Posted by gamble71

I learned on dirt bikes... where everyone should start. They're indestructible, fun, and cheap. Move up as your skills progress

ly

Originally Posted by LoneBone

I don't know, but I don't think y'all take long trips on scoots...

The 48 damn sure wouldn't fit that bill. Friend's son bought one before he had his license, and asked me to ride it to his house. Rode the damn thing a mere 12 miles and couldn't get off of it fast enough. That thing sucked ***** as far as any type of comfort goes.