Unfortunately her mother kept insisting that she should not ride anymore so she kind of let it go, but she still wants a crotch rocket for some odd reason. No way can she flat foot with one of those. During the time she rode I felt that she was doing okay. I would ride behind her in order to observe. One day my nephew was riding lead on a crotch rocket and was going fast on a tight windy rode. My daughter tried to keep up with him on the Sportster through a turn and ran out of asphalt putting her off the road on rough grassy ground. Crotch rockets handle much better in the twisties. She didn't panic and powered out of it. At that point I knew she was okay to ride. I did have a talk with my nephew after that. I also told her not to push it in the future if the lead bike is going to fast. I just think that she knew how to ride well, but had problems gaining the self confidence.

 

Sportsters too big - a lot of small women would disagree with that.

Sportsters uncomfortable - lots people ride them cross country with no compliants (I do have more comfortable seats on mine, stock sucks)

Sportsters top heavy - ever ride a first generation Honda 750? That's top heavy... Compared to a lot of metrics I've ridden, I think Sporties balance pretty good

Want the best handling for a Sportster -
don't use those Harley Dunlop tires most have had for many years

use mid pegs, there's no way you balance as well on forward pegs, regardless of comfort (but you can still grind metal with forwards when you get used to them)

keep the handlebars below your shoulders

replace the stock rear shocks, almost anything is better

A sportster is almost infinitely variable, they've been modified from sidecar haulers to dirt bikes. Hmm, now that I'd like, an off road capable Sportster sidecar rig, intriguing...

 

the iron 883 is a great bike nice and comfortable for the price point plus if you need more out it power wise you can always drop a dk 1250 kit into is and now you have a sick low 1250. I am about 5' 11" and it was way to small with my stock handle bars I was bent over the whole time but for a smaller person I'm sure the stock ones will be fine. Irons come from factory with mid's but if you happen to land one with after market forward controls you can get a reduced reach kit from Harley and it will be fine.

 

883 is a good Sportster, not the fastest but fast enough to hurt ya. To be honest, I didn't know any better until I bought my Dyna. Now I know the difference in power, but still ride and enjoy my 883. In fact if one bike had to go, it would be my Dyna, and for reasons other than not liking it, which I do.

 

Caroljean, I am 5'2" and 120 - also vertically challenged. I had an 883 superlow and did not like it - it just never felt right. I tried a Forty-Eight one day and that was the bike for me. Lower wheels (16" vs. 19"), a better balance and even lower center of gravity - I still have it and love it. Give that one a try before you decide. Yes, its a 1200 but I like it so much better than the 883. Put a HD super reduced reach solo seat on it (it lowers you an inch and pushes you closer to the handlebars about 3"). I can't tell you why it just feels better to me but it does. I also put some mini apes on it. And over time, a larger gas tank from a custom as I roam out in the deserted farm countryside a lot.

I'm just saying check out the 48, you may find it fits you better.