I know for a fact that there are female riders around. Any advice for a starter?? I would like any kind of information that might be helpful to me and any other females looking to ride!  

I'm not a female, but I am a fairly new rider.  The first bit of advice that I have is take the MFS beginners riders course.  I had never riden before taking the class and I learned a lot.  Before buying a bike sit on as many different ones that you can.  I narrowed my first bike down to 2.  The Vulcan 900 and the Honda Shadow 750.  Ended up buying the 750 because of its cheaper price tag.  I love it.  Very easy to handle, and enough power unless you are spending a lot of time on the interstate.  Got mine new in September and have about 4000 miles on it already.  Good luck and ride safe.  

Excellant advise    

Taking the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is the only way to go.  I had never riden a bike (on the front seat anyway), but when my husband bought one I got bit...bad!  I bought my first bike, a Yamaha V-Star 650, before I could even ride!  Sure is a good thing I love it as much as I thought I would.  My husband taught me how to start it, pull forward and stop in our driveway.  I did that many, many times before I got the feel for the throttle.  In Kansas you could take the written test to get your learner's permit which allows you to take to the road as long as there is a licensed rider on another bike riding with you.  Long story short, the MSF course taught me the skills and gave me the confidence I needed to ride by myself.  I've been riding since 2001, have owned or co-owned with my husband 10 bikes and have ridden 9 of them.  (At that time I was too imtimidated by the Kawasaki 2000's weight.) I currently ride a RoadStar but am probably going to trade for a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 or 1600 for the fuel injected and water cooled engine.  We've ridden from Kansas to Gulf of Mexico, several trips to Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana and next year we are planning on a ride to Salt Lake City to visit our son.  Can't wait. There's nothing like the open road with the sun on your back.  In answer to your request for advice:  Take test rides if you can find a dealer who will let you (good luck with that one).  Riding is the only way to find out if you like the throttle response,the handling and feel comfortable and confident on it.  But putting a full day on it will be the only way to really know if you've found your passion!  

Have you seen the new Kawaski Vulcan 900 Britt Series. Its built for the female body with lower seats and you can custom design it.  check it out.    

It has been said that if you want to sell a product, you have to believe in it.
If I ever go into sales, or teaching, MSF is on the list.
Second part of my advice is, buy a cheap used bike. I know, it's not classy, chic, or anything else, but, its cheap. When you drop it, it's cheap. I dropped a 1 year old Drifter   (not cheap).

They say, only 2 types of riders: those who have dropped, and those who are going to. Sorry, everyone's going to, regardless of history. So, buy good gear, and ride for fun.

BTW. My wife bought a used Suzuki Savage (1 year) a fun, forgiving bike to learn on - not good for hundreds of miles in a day , then an Intruder 1400 (1 year), then a Kawi Mean Streak.  

First-take the safty class
when My wife said she wanted to start riding.I had a brain fart,went out and got her a big bike (wrong)she had a hard time parking and in town driving.So we sold it.Than she went to a dealership and sat on a Suzuki GZ250 and fell in love with it.now she has a ball and drives all over..yes it is small,but so is she.The bike go fine at 55 to 65 mph and rides with the group..Get the bike you feel safe on!! not what others think you will look good on.  

I know that "HARLEY" has a H.O.G. meeting once a month, lots of women riders too.The women have a  "Skirts to Wrenches" group too.Lots of women ride Harley "Sportsters 883cc" here in R.I. Look real good on them too!!!  

The Motorcycle safety course is the first step. In Pennsylvania the course is free, I know it can cost a bit in other states.
Choosing the right bike is a matter of sitting on lots of brands and see how they feel. The Yamaha 650 is probably a good start, the bike has plenty of spunk when you want it and is small enough to handle well. The bike you choose has to fit you. Motorcycles dont adjust much, not like a car, the seat doesnt slide forward and the steering doesnt tilt. There are slight adjustments that can be made so if you find one that is close talk to the dealer about it.

Dont make the mistake of getting a bike that is too small. A 250 may not be as intimadating ,but after you have it for a month you will wish for a bigger bike.  500cc to 700cc is probably a good range. just remember the bike has to fit you otherwise you will always be uncomfortable and the bike wont feel right.  

I took the MSF class, just in case of an emergency. I got the bug so bad I bought the first bike I looked at, a used suzuki volusia 805cc, awesome. I have had my bike for 2 days, rode it 120 miles, and it's like nothing else. I ride in a group of all ladies who own cruisers, my bike is the smallest and it has enough get up and go that I stay with the group no problem. It's very empowering.  

HI.Try to find a group that rides with you and not over your experience level. Stop by some bike shops and they will give you some names of differant groups.
The guys and gals I ride with have all levels of riding experience. There are 3 trikes the girls seem to like best. Harley,s Suzuki,s Honda,s . I like dragging the floor boards when I get into the corners. I only do this when I am in front. Makes the others nerves. The noise of metal scraping the ground love it..
Rambbling  You need to get a good set of leathers good boots or shoes.Never thongs or shorts. ROAD RASH is not good ( don't ask )and takes a while to heal. Also a good set of gloves.They keep the bee's off your fingers
Most of all ride carefully watch everyone even other riders.Your head should be on a swivel. Watch the ones that are not watching you. Ride and have fun...scruffy  

Great advice everyone!!  Scurffy stay off the boards, they sometimes snag and make your bike do funny things in curves.  Helped pull a Vulcan out from under a guard rail last summer.
 I have ridden bikes for over thrity six years and learned from the MSF course.  The basic and advanced courses are worth every dime!! If you haven't already found a bike, try not to be greedy for size and power, if you have to buy a smaller used bike to get some saddle time, it would be well advised. No one likes to drop their "New" metal when unfamiliar...it happens. I have christened mine horizontal and have over a hundred thousand miles in the last eight years on bikes. Also buying used, you will let someone else take the depreciation hit off the lot. Not to mention that there are many people upgrading daily.  Bikes are taking a beating this time of year so prices are down.  Plenty of new 07's still out there and almost as cheap as used and very negotiable. Best bang for your buck is used.  Just take someone who is V-E-R-Y knowledgeble and not pushy about what they like...it is yours of course. Make sure it fits you and your needs.  Remember a smaller bike with a full load of person and belongings may not get the gas mileage a larger bike will with the same load, also it may lose some stability when loaded.
 Recently completed a 2,800 mile (six days riding with a little breather in between)trip to Victoria, Mexico with a lady who rode a V Star 650 Classic the whole route.  I was truly proud of her accomplishment. I did haul the personal effects on my Bagger, but she was there beside me all the way...Hurrahh LouAnn!  By all means take your time in selecting, get a bike, and ride!  It's not live to ride, ride to live.  It is ride for fun and live for the adventure.  Good luck and stay safe.  

HI. Don I didn't explain that I have little curb feelers on the boards. They make a lot of noise. This give me about 1 1/2" before I hit the crash bar.Thanks for your concern  
I also have been on a bike for a while, sence 1964 . I started with a Honda 90...  
Your advice is right on...scruffy..  

Hey, MCIAU- A chick over here in Oz who was new to motorcycling wanted some one to ride with, so she put an ad in the paper for other chicks to go on rides. A few ladies answered the ad and they enjoyed their ride so much they decided to do it again. The group turned into a crowd and then they decided to charge a dollar a ride with organised food stops along the way. At each top they organised a raffle (do you know what they are in the states?) and all the money raised went into breast cancer research. these events have now become so big that they now happen all over the country. Give it go, you neverknow where it will lead. Oh yeah, guys are allowed by invitation of a female rider...... good eh? Bobxxxxxxxxx