bike for the wife
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
From: west Michigan
bike for the wife
My wife just took the Harley's riders edge class and has never driven a bike before that. I am interested in suggestions for a 1st bike for her. I don't want a bike she will have grown out of in a year but I do want her to feel comfortable on it. Help!?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 432
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
go used metric cheap. reliable and given the fact that she will drop it it will be more appropriate as a beginner bike.
suggestions\
Honda 750
Vstar 650
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 or the new 900
Suzukie S50 or intruder. same bike
If you want to start small and then move up there is none better than the HONDA Rebel at 250 CC
but to each his own
R. Todd
suggestions\
Honda 750
Vstar 650
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 or the new 900
Suzukie S50 or intruder. same bike
If you want to start small and then move up there is none better than the HONDA Rebel at 250 CC
but to each his own
R. Todd
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 25
From: VALE NC
just bought my wife 1999 sportster 1200 but now setting it up for her i think this is the some important part i put mid controls /change the seat /raisers will be here Tuesday 2.5 up 1.5 back/ crash bar remember its her bike not yours set it up for her not you
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: NJ
First off, I think it's great you want to share the joy of riding with your wife and that you support her. I just got my first bike a little over 2 years ago after dh bought his. I took the MSF course and then I bought a 2008 Deluxe. The important word there is "I" bought the bike..which means I went, looked and sat on all models until I found one that I felt fit and that I liked. I went to metric dealers as well as Harley dealers. I love my Deluxe. There are so many bikes out there that I think it's important for your wife to chose the one that she feels confident and comfortable on. Maybe she can check out the Queen's of the Road section and get some more advice from the ladies.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Ditto on the Deluxe. My wife loves her Deluxe. It sits lower and even though it's a "bigger" bike than the Street Bob she had, it is easier to handle. She can ride comfortably when we take 200-300 mile rides. BTW, she has been riding for only about a year and half and is 62.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Some excellent advice here already and Susan probably gave the best.
Not knowing your wife's height, weight, and comfort level with larger bikes it's really hard to say which bike she might like and be most comfortable with.
The Softail's in the HD lineup are very popular with the ladies due to their low seat height and low center of gravity.
It also depends on what your long term goal is. Are you interested in day rides on weekends or some touring? A Sportster would be fine for the day rides but not for any kind of real touring. A Dyna or Softail can be surprisingly good for both and still be nice and light in comparison with some of the Electra Glide models.
If she likes bling the Deluxe may be perfect for her. Very classy ride and lots of women gravitate to them even if they don't get them right away. Hard to beat a Heritage, Fat Boy, or Softail Custom but they may not "fit" her personality.
Like Susan said; let her pick it.
Not knowing your wife's height, weight, and comfort level with larger bikes it's really hard to say which bike she might like and be most comfortable with.
The Softail's in the HD lineup are very popular with the ladies due to their low seat height and low center of gravity.
It also depends on what your long term goal is. Are you interested in day rides on weekends or some touring? A Sportster would be fine for the day rides but not for any kind of real touring. A Dyna or Softail can be surprisingly good for both and still be nice and light in comparison with some of the Electra Glide models.
If she likes bling the Deluxe may be perfect for her. Very classy ride and lots of women gravitate to them even if they don't get them right away. Hard to beat a Heritage, Fat Boy, or Softail Custom but they may not "fit" her personality.
Like Susan said; let her pick it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 372
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Basic answer: Get her a bike to learn on, plan on upgrading in a year or so. Pick up a used metric cruiser 600-750ccs. But you know her better than we do. Think about her size, coordination, ability and attitude. Most of the women riders I know started out a little intimidated, doing short slow rides, 50-100 miles is a long ride for them and they wouldn't think of going over 55MPH.
I've seen gals riding bikes way over their abilities trying to keep up with "the gang" going 80MPH on BtoB poker runs. I also know a few that took a class bought a "big" bike
dropped it and gave up.
I've seen gals riding bikes way over their abilities trying to keep up with "the gang" going 80MPH on BtoB poker runs. I also know a few that took a class bought a "big" bike
dropped it and gave up.
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: NH
My wife did the same thing.Took the riders course at HD dealer and wanted to buy a bike.Settled on a 2009 yamaha Vstar 950.I put on removable windshield,crash bars cobra exhaust,leather covered hard bags,hogtunes stereo,++++.Two months in she decides its too small and wanted a heavier bike. She now rides a 2010 screamin eagle street glide.Point is there is NO substitution for a HD. Now I am stuck with this metric collecting dust in the garage.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
First off, I think it's great you want to share the joy of riding with your wife and that you support her. I just got my first bike a little over 2 years ago after dh bought his. I took the MSF course and then I bought a 2008 Deluxe. The important word there is "I" bought the bike..which means I went, looked and sat on all models until I found one that I felt fit and that I liked. I went to metric dealers as well as Harley dealers. I love my Deluxe. There are so many bikes out there that I think it's important for your wife to chose the one that she feels confident and comfortable on. Maybe she can check out the Queen's of the Road section and get some more advice from the ladies.
One of the best looking and best riding HDs made imo. I lost a few hairs on the head while she was learning to ride it but have to say, she's done real good. Mighty proud of her.
Whatever your lady gets make sure she takes her time learning. Keep the riding in HER comfort zone.