My first bike (yes I am a girl) was a 1984 Suzuki Katana 650 in 1985 - after I took the MSF class and had my licesne endorcement.
I absolutely agree, your wife should take the MSF course first, then go select a bike SHE will be comfortable on - have her sit on a bunch of stuff at least, pick it up off the kickstand see how it feels. In retrospect, maybe my first bike shouldn't have been a 650 crotch rocket - but for me it worked out. I am still riding! You may not want her to ride your BA until she is competent. I don't think I would let mey boyfriend ride mine if he were a new rider!
I did drop the Katana the first time I rode it!! And it was in a parking lot where I was practicing. My boyfriend picked it up and made me ride it home! (sorta like getting on a horse after it throws you - and yes I have done that more times than I can count) After my severly bruised rib healed a week or 2 I was back on it. When I went down I was trying to park next to his car and realized the kickstand was on the downhill so went to go to the other side and didn't give it enough throttle and fell into the car bumper. I did drop that bike a few more times (gravel driveway and a pot hole at a stop sign), but those times I picked it up and continued on.
I rode the Katana for a couple years until other things in my life intervene into my riding.
I retook the MSF basic course in 2001 (having not been riding for over 12 years)and bought my BA in January 2002. It now has 36K miles on it. I have had some close calls but no major damage to me or the bike.
I also ride (don't hate me!) a 2008 Harley Road King and have dropped it once, grabbing the front brake with the fork turned on a hill. No damage except my ego - did it in front of a full restaurant and a group of my riding friends.
On both bikes I get complements about my riding skills. But I think that is just lots of time in the saddle for me, and my determination to ride well. I don't practice as much as I should, but try to recall all the training I have had everytime I ride.
I never really had unofficial training from a boyfriend or husband - not sure that would have worked for me (something about being competitive, and not taking instruction/critism well from people close to me (my mom had to get me sewing lessons as I could not/would not let her teach me). Probably could have taken such instruction from my dad (he did teach me to drive a car, but his temperment is different than mine) had I given him much chance which I didn't. I didn't tell them I was buying my first bike or even that I was taking the class until after it was a done deal!
So hopefully your wife will enjoy her own ride - let her figure that out in the MSF class - and then enjoy your time riding as 2 bikes!!! I have enjoyed a new adventure in riding the last year or so - now that I have a boyfriend who rides too - its fun riding just the 2 of us!!!!
Becky
