bbom,
Sounds like you have something really special there..
You certainly know what your talking about.
My wonderful wife has enjoyed trail riding with me for 10 years now, but she's in kind of a slump lately and hasn't ridden this year. Its been difficult to now with our two-year old because we don't have a steadfast babysitter and she will only ride with me. Her friends don't do anything so adventurous to keep her inspired and I've lost my ability to inspire her lately, its just not the same hearing encouragement from me after 11 years.
She's considering selling her bike that she just loves, but hates to look at it because it reminds her of more carefree days when it was easier to not only get out riding, but also take it easy when you return home fatigued.
I'll support her either way but I'd rather see the girl have fun. I'd pull her bike out of sippi holes and rocks all day to see her out riding and grinnin' again. I organized a nice excursion last year for 1/2 day, but I guess it wasn't the same.
I suggested she log on and talk to you girls, I'm sure some of you have been there...
426 Pilot, you probably already made a purchase but,
I concur with DualSportr and vote for a xr100 for a beginner of 5'1", for the following reasons..
1)At 150 # its light enough to pick up by herself, even after some fatigue. The xr200 is another 70# (220), and the weight of the ttr225 is even higher.(260 lbs. dry)
2)You could get a used one so she can try the sport without feeling obligated by the investment of a new bike, taking the fun out of it.
3)Don't underestimate the confidence boost she'll get if she outgrows the capabilities of the xr and wants to upgrade to the ttr125l in a year or two.
My wife is 5-2.5" and finds the xr100 a touch small because when sitting, her upper legs are parallel to the ground making a less than ideal transition from sitting to standing on the pegs, but 5-1 will be a better fit. She thinks starting the bike with her hand is a cool feature; I'm not going to argue. I agree the ttr125l is much better and we once dabbled with the idea of getting one, but if it doesn't happen she'll still have fun on the 100.
We found the following made the xr100 more friendly:
Higher bars (almost an ATV-bend), wider tires because the stockers are bicycle -width and wash out in any sand, and 20 weight oil in the forks to get some damping out of them, and real hand guards.
Remember she may want to ride for different reasons than you. Some aggressive riders aspire to *conquer* a bike that has the potential to spank them, my wife would rather trust her gentile bike despite its shortcomings, and hone her ability in the mud, sand, rocks or hopping trees.
You'll have to determine which she is, and talk to her about it.
Good luck,
Tom