Let her have her own bike. She'll love it and you'll enjoy the time without her yappin in your ear.

 

I picked up a 250 Honda Rebel a couple years ago because my wife wanted to learn. She was doing good in the MSF, but missed the written test by one. She has tried the DMV test several times and can pass the written test, but the range is so small I'm not sure I could pass it. Just recently bought the ride like a pro DVD for new riders for her to watch over the winter, then I'm going to try talk her into the MSF course again along with more study for the written test. It irritates the hell out of me that some of the written questions seem to be intentionally written to be confusing...whenever I explain the question to her she gets it right almost every time, but she "studies" it too much before picking an answer.

I am more concerned about my riding when she is on a bike behind me.....and I'm not sure how to cure myself of "mirror-itus".....I spend too much time with my eyes on the mirrors worrying about her....did I go into a curve too fast and is she trying to keep up?....that kind of thing. I know I should be paying more attention to my own riding. Maybe once she gets licensed and gets more miles under her belt I'll feel better about her riding skills. I've tried asking her to lead, but she won't...guess she feels more comfortable watching my tail lights. My wife is 60, and I'm really proud of what she has done so far, but keep telling her there is absolutely no pressure....ride your own or ride with me which ever you want most. The biggest problem will be once she gets licensed and out-grows the Rebel, what to go to next....she is only 5'3" with really short legs.....I would like to see her on a Road King, or something about that size....but she's afraid of the weight even though I've told her nobody can hold one of these bigger bikes up once they start going over.

 

We have 2 experiences with women learning to ride.

The oldest daughter is 5'5 w/28-29" inseam and learned on a 1200 Sporty. She took the course and was very tentative rider starting on a larger bike. She rode the Spearfish Canyon and Black Hills as a beginning rider and I could see her confidence build during that week. She went from beingunsure to looking like an experienced rider. Now she has been riding for 3 years and we will be giving her my old 1200 sporty to ride until she buys her own in a couple of years.

My wife is 5'-0" and has a 26" inseam. Her daughter strongly discouraged her from starting on a bigger bike so we picked up a 250 Rebel. I can see she is very comfortable on the bike because the size fits her well. She feels OK with the weight and both of her feet touch the ground. She has been around the neighborhood and parking lots but has not taken the course yet.

I've had my road license for 33 years. Once a rider is comfortable on a bike, there's no substitution for practice and experience to gain the confidence. I rode the Rebel yesterday for the first time to gas it up for winter storage. I understand why it's so friendly for women riders - it's light and easy to handle.

 

I have a buddy who got his wife riding a couple years ago. She took the course and started on a Sportster. Initially she didn't like it. She was real neal nervous, but over time she grew to love it. She has moved up to Ultra with custom paint (she designed) and 20" wheels. It is asweet bike. And she really rides. She has taken it to an entire new level with her outfits. She has several boot, jean, sweater, jacket combinations. She even has some riding boots with stiletto heels. She is lovin it.
They ride together all the time.Theybuy each other Harlley gifts. He bought her a new chrome air cleaner cover for Christmas last year. She loved it.
How can you not love that?