I don't know if buying a motorcycle for your wife is like purchasing a gun for her, but if so it's a bad idea. Whatever you choose for her most likely isn't going to be the one that she would choose for herself, and she probably won't use it for long if you do. We won't even get into the subject of husbands training their wives or the "fun" that can lead to.

My advice is if your wife expresses interest in riding let her take the BRC course, then choose her own bike. It might be your old VLX, but probably not.

Tex

Heck, I had mod ideas before I even decided which bike to buy!

_________________
Lou

Knees in the Breeze & keep it safe

Patriot Guard Riders
www.patriotguard.org

2007 Yamaha V-Star Custom 650

I had a thirty mile trip three days after completing the MSF course. Basically I had my wife drive the car behind me to keep tailgaters at bay. After several miles and several stop lights, turns, RR tracks et al, I decided I was comfortable handling the bike at the speedlimits (35-40) and let the wife take off to a dealer who had some custom parts waiting for me.
The best thing I did was plan a route using secondary roads - the alternative was the Interstate - a definite No Go Zone for the bonding ride.
Me and the bike made it home OK, but I had sweated through several layers of clothing (it was a cold morning and I had prepared for the ride).

_________________
Lou

Knees in the Breeze & keep it safe

Patriot Guard Riders
www.patriotguard.org

2007 Yamaha V-Star Custom 650

I actually got my bike BEFORE i took the MSF course. But, my dad's rode motorcycles since he was...8 i think. So the first one we were gonna get was a 2006 model Kawasaki Eliminator. it was Blue and PURRTY! Dad drove it home while we followed him. But, he said it had a front-end shake, and it acted like the valves havent been touched since it was new...so we went back to the dealership, and bought a BRAND NEW Eliminator. In silver. We couldn't ride it back this time, because we'd have to break it in. And the first break-in period says your not supposed to go over 26 MPH.
Luckly, my dad has a bike week trailer, and we put it in that and took it home

When i get my next bike, i'll probably drive it home...but i'll have a year of experience...

_________________
-2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - Current Ride
-2007 Suzuki DR650 - Sold
-2007 Kawasaki Eliminator - Sold

So glad I found this thread as I'm picking up my bike next week - 2007 Honda VLX600 (saw a number of posters in this thread with same bike ). I passed the MSF class last month but have no other experience riding. I have a 50 mile ride from the dealer in Dover, DE to my home in New Castle (50 mile ride). Fortunately I have several choices of routes to take. I plan on getting to know the bike a bit before I take off. The Delaware DMV uses the lot behind the dealer for the MSF classses so I can re-create some of my lessons from class. I'm definitely nervous but excited as well.