Doing the "looking for a wife's bike" thing

how about one of them Chinese URAL knock-offs with the sidecar. She could still hit the market and collect the groceries.
No falling off at red lights and "she" could take you for a ride. Just sayin.
 
My wife had a modern Bonny, but she got bored with it quickly. It did everthing well but didn't have any character, her words not mine.
Then TRX 850, then 650 Pantah, then Monster S2R 1000.
She will never sell it.
If she is interested in a Monster, don't muck around with the little ones, the large engine 2 valves are much better.
Nice grunt without having to rev them too hard to get anywhere. They sound nice too.
graeme
 
I've had a New Bonneville for 4 years and 60000kms. Never missed a beat. I ride it to work every day, go for weekend blasts over the mountains. If you really give them some, it's quite amazing what they're capable of. My mates get very upset that I keep up with the best of them in the twisties. Straight lines are a different story. For my money there one of the best all round bikes available today. They even have a hint of nostalgic charm. If I was in the market for a bike, I'd seriously consider a Bonnie.
Just my two cents ...
 
A friend of mine who never road before started dating a guy with many bikes and he taught her to ride, she road everything he had from a 750 fast back, a 50's BSA Goldstar, a multitude of little Hondas and what I thought she would like, a 441 Victor. What she fell in love with was a older small engined Kawasaki "ninja". I think it's a 350 but I do not know these bikes. She learned to ride at 60 years old and has a blast like a 16 year old on her first bike.
 
My wyfe really enjoyed her new Bonnie (2002, 790cc). I lowered the front end in the yokes about an inch and set the shocks on the softest preload and it was perfect for her petite 5'2" frame.
 
Mike — I'd second a new Bonnie. They are like classic bikes but without the things that we regard as 'challenges'. I would not recommend an Enfield (except if you both go travelling in India!). Safety-wise, a bike needs to be able to keep up with modern traffic and needs to have good brakes. You need enough gee gees to pass out a truck or a line of cars safely. If your missus decides after a while she doesn't like it, sell it and buy a Honda CB500 twin (handles, stops and goes very well) or a Suzuki SV650.

Dave
 
We have just sold my wifes Mk111 commando. The electric starter always proved to be 100% reliable as she refuses to kick start. I had lowered the rear with shorter shocks & she could get both feet down OK. Even fitted an Amal Mk2 carb to have a choke instead of flooding the carbs (stinky fingers). But, it still weighed close to 500 pounds so manouvering was always difficult.

I really admire her perseverance though, 2 trips around France & back right up through France from Spain, camping kit as well. We got some good looks & remarks from the French locals, with me on my 71 commando as well.

Now, we are going to visit some of the local dealerships so "She" can choose what suits, rather than be persuaded by me. Probably end up with a light (400 pound), electric start, 100% reliable, fuel injected, light controlled, little vibration, low seated, oil leak free bike of her choice (sounds ideal does'nt it!) that she will be much more comfortable with.

Bob.
 
A brilliant bike that often gets overlooked and laughed at is the MZ Skorpion (the one with the Yamaha 660 single motor). Mrs Govig has one and it's light enough to not have to struggle, it's got an electric starter and does 100 mph. Unfortunately they're rare but not as rare as the even (considerably) better MZ 1000 twin.
 
We are in San Anonio, TX for thanks giving so we have looked at several bikes. We went to look at the Bonnevilles yesterday but my wife didn't care for them - said they felt heavy. I was surprised myself, throwing a leg over them, how much larger/heavier they felt than my Commando. Anyway, she ended up really liking a BMW F650GS. She admits the Triumph looks much better - with it's classic style - but she much preferred the comfort and "feel" of the Beemer...and I did too, even though it's not MY bike. So it appears that sometime next year we'll buy the bike here and I'll ride it down to Mexico - hopefully in company with Art Bone..

Just an administrative note - For some reason that I am too lazy to figure out - my laptop has me as "Mike996" on this site while my real computer at home in Mexico has me as MexicoMike. I'm the same guy. Maybe someday I'll sort it out on the computers.
 
The 650 beemers are real nice. Could've waited until the triumph tiger800 comes out in the spring, but base on those is in the 10K area, which is probably a considerable amount more than the 650. Let us know how she likes it.
 
For some reason I can't figure out the f650gs is actually 800cc. Price is msrp 8995 plus shipping. As optioned the particular bike she likes is 11695 which includes abs.
 
Well, we started off at the Triumph dealership & she sat on a Bonnie & thought it felt a bit heavy & bulky. So, onto the local "Jap" shop, Honda, Kawasaki etc all under one roof.

The new Honda VT750S really caught her eye, low seat, low centre of gravity & the rear of the seat is not right up in the air, as seems to be the latest fashion. A test ride later & we will be collecting it on Friday! Interest Free finance as well!

Certainly not my choice but, importantly, it is not for me!

Bob.
 
Test drove the New Royal Enfield Bullett from dealership here in Canada and loved it. Reliability I am told is greatly improved with export model now being fuel injected , just loved the chrome tank 500 model in the window. With taxes she is looking at 10 000 smackers though. She being a 6 footer gal she should test sit on any comtemplated bike to make shure knees do not stick out into wind. Me and the wife have our tickets to India now and will be renting them all over the land at 6 to 10 dollars a day so will report back in the future life . Peter.
 
I had a 2000 bullet 500 and loved it, but it was only good for riding around back roads and not really in fast paced traffic, but that's what I bought it for 40-50 mph pokin around. Had it for 6 months and out grew it, sold it at a loss.
 
Did I mention my wife's first bike was a Bonnie?

Did I mention she still has it but seldom rides it because her second bike is a HD Nightster?

25" seat height.

It needs new shocks (originals have 1" of travel. Yes, you read that right. HD touring bike shocks on eBay, new take-offs for $50-100, work wonders - $25 lowering blocks keep the seat height unchanged despite 2" more travel) and perhaps a few other bits (Mustang seat and Ricor Intimintors highly recommended) but so-modded is a pretty impressive bike.

She gets a tattoo, though, and this marriage is OH-VER!
 

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