Regardless of the things tossed out here, go to some dealers, have her sit on various bike, and take some out on test rides. If a bike doesn't fit her, it doesn't matter how much forum folk love it.
Let her steer the decision, it's her bike, not yours.
XL883. Harley went to F/I in 2007. I agree with Hess...with normal maintenance, about as reliable as an anvil.
I have a like-new blue 2008 with well under 2K miles on it--asking $5600...and it has bags and a windshield too. House of Harley in Milwaukee...
pres589
SuperDork
10/7/13 10:45 a.m.
She already bought a GS500, folks, so game over. It's about four replies back.
There's a good forum for these things, can't remember the URL, but I learned a lot there.
Nice all around bike. I bought my wife a 550e with a bikini fairing. Got rid of it because it was a little tall in the saddle for her. I should have kept it just to have an extra bike around.
pres589
SuperDork
10/7/13 11:40 a.m.
In reply to 914Driver:
I wonder how different the GS550 and GS500 are, seeing as one has twice as many cylinders as the next.
I think that I have a Clymer manual for the GS500. I will look. Yours for cost of shipping.
They never really changed them, so it should be OK for any year.
Nice little starter bike.
pinchvalve wrote:
Great choice, I'm not a beginner, and I wouldn't kick it out of my garage.
What about a Ducati Monster? Those are really popular with women riders on the other side of the pond.
As a former Bandit 400 owner, I think you should skip over that one. They are pretty rare to start. and the power, not how much but how it comes online is not the most user friendly thing