09-20-2013, 06:10 AM
I put my wife through the MSF course and found her a late model Rebel 250 several years ago. She rode it for several months, but never felt fully confident riding. I then mistakenly sold that bike and bought her a Honda VLX600 thinking it would be an easy transition and maybe the "full size" bike would be more to her liking. It just never became comfortable for her, not to mention that I was becoming a danger to myself riding out front and watching her in my rear view mirrors more than the road in front of me. I subsequently sold the 600, and bought a Honda Sabre 1100 for 2-up riding and we enjoyed that for several years. She could sit right there behind me and I could focus on riding and enjoying her company instead of worrying. I've since sold the Sabre as well, but she has already commented about how much smoother the CB is than any of the other V-twins we've owned.
I don't share all this to discourage you or your wife from seeking a bike of her own, but merely to second the opinion that it's far better to keep them on something small, light and easily handled until they are the ones that say "I want something bigger."
I don't share all this to discourage you or your wife from seeking a bike of her own, but merely to second the opinion that it's far better to keep them on something small, light and easily handled until they are the ones that say "I want something bigger."