30-06-13, 08:45 AM
As a woman (5'6" tall) I'm sensitive to not just the seat height/weight issue, but also how rangy/compact the riding position of a bike feels. I've never got beyond sitting on a gen 1, as it just felt too rangy for me to be comfortable on; the gen 2 is a more-or-less perfect fit. My biggest gripe with the gen 2 from a manageability viewpoint is that the footpegs really get in the way, and tangle with your legs, when trying to paddle the bike around in a car park, etc.
Obviously I don't know how tall or how confident your Mrs is (I'd call myself middling confident, but have been riding bikes for over 30 years), or her previous biking history (you say she currently has a Bandit 650). However, it may well be that it's the gen 2 or nothing for her if she's anything like me. IMHO it's not about a bike you "can" ride, it's about one you feel comfortable and confident with.
![[Image: fz1-3.jpg]](http://www.torquemonsters.co.uk/fz1-3.jpg)
Obviously I don't know how tall or how confident your Mrs is (I'd call myself middling confident, but have been riding bikes for over 30 years), or her previous biking history (you say she currently has a Bandit 650). However, it may well be that it's the gen 2 or nothing for her if she's anything like me. IMHO it's not about a bike you "can" ride, it's about one you feel comfortable and confident with.