What Ron said. Street is much more controllable for me. I had a Honda Shadow Aero before and wasn't as happy as I am now. FWIW, I'm not tiny either.

Bottom line, if she's not comfortable, she won't ride.

 

Well thanks everyone for there points of view, Let me see if I can hit them all. My wife is a bit scared of the hole two wheel thing. As most are when starting out on two wheels. I have in the past made the option of a softail like the lowrider and the wide glide. It seemed too heavy for her. I have made the sport 750 an option for her. She really likes the free wheeler and I am not sure if that would be a good fist bike for her to ride. She will not be doing long rides as of yet. She still needs to obtain the M endorsement on her license. So thanks again everyone.

 

I have a friend that bought his wife a trike because she was afraid of the bike he bought her. He ended up with a trike payment and she still didn't ride! Some people are just not cut out for the sport nothing wrong with that. Just saying

 

The Street bikes are very easy to ride and get comfortable to ride as a beginner. She will feel at home on it in a short amount of time. if she takes the motorcycle learning course through a HD dealer they use the street 500 ( same size bike with smaller motor ) for the course and see will get time on the bike to see how she feels on it.

 

I was just about to post the same. I took the course the first time on a 250, then rode a 250 automatic scoot for 6 months. When I bought the Sportster (used) it was fine, but I wasn't having any fun on it (even though I loved the bike). When I traded in for the Street, I decided to retake the class through HD, for the two-fold reason I'd be taking it on the same kind of bike I own, and I'd be increasing my gear experience. I am glad I did this. It made a world of difference in my comfort level.

I am glad I took my time, too. Glad I started on the automatic and glad I took the class twice. Was it needed? Probably not. But did it change my attitude and comfort levels? Absolutely. For the record, I kept the scoot and I enjoy both! And I ride one or the other, daily!

 

I agree, I took the HD Riders' Edge on the Street 500 and rode a Street 750 last year. I have also taken additional MSF classes that complimented the HD class. It was the dealer sales rep who recommended that I take the class to make sure riding a motorcycle was something I really wanted to do. Only after I was sure I felt comfortable did I buy a bike. This year I traded the Street for a Sportster. The weight and balance were not as big an issue for me as they were when I first started riding and I wanted to have ABS. Like others have said, HD dealers let you test drive their motorcycles so make the most of this opportunity to compare options.

 

I find highway use of the Street much more comfortable than the Sportster (less vibration). The stock seat isn't unbearable...I've done 400 miles in a day and just began to feel it. However, I will be upgrading the seat for my fall trip. All-in-all I find the Street very compatible for touring. The windshield is sufficient and there are many options for saddlebags.

 

I'm looking at one of these for my first bike. I really dig the look and the price is right for my range. I'm a dude and this will be my first bike. I'd love an Iron 883 but they are a bit out of my price range.

 

I would imagine you should be able to find a used Iron 883 in the same price range as a new Street. You may have to bide your time, but if you let a salesman know. I'm sure they'll keep an eye out for you and work with you, as 883s have high turn-over rates. Making your interest known should help.