babyhog wrote on 06/04/12 at 13:19:10:Definitely a good place for her to start. As a female, I felt most of the other bikes out there were too heavy for me, but I'm only about 115# soaking wet. I'm 5'2 with plenty of inseam for this bike, and not "afraid" of it. My husband wants me to get a bigger bike for better highway travelling, but I'm in my 5th season of riding and I still don't ride the interstate much. Feels better than any of the 250's from my Rider's course, has alot of get-up-and-GO!
As someone else said, if she wants a bigger bike later, that's fine, but from a female standpoint, this bike won't threaten her and make things more difficult than they need to be. If she's new to riding, this bike will make for a great experience, instead of a scary one!
Thanks for your input. She is heavier than you, but I still think she could use the bike. The highway between here and college max's out at 70. It is mostly 4 lane, so she could go about 65 and let others pass her without her being a determent to traffic flow.
Most of her riding will be from her apartment to the college campus.
BTW she is 5'6" and about 200 lbs.
Preach