I've only been riding 3 months and my first bike pick was a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT.  I'm 5'4" and it fits me perfect and so the bikes you are looking at should fit you pretty well.  Consider seat height and the reach to the handle bars.  You may need to change out the handle bars if you need to reach too far.

Also, don't worry about dropping your bike; everyone does it whether they admit it or not.  I dropped mine the first day right in the yard - all 600 lbs of it. I managed to get it back up by myself, but my rider coach recommended engine guards, which I got, and they have helped me lift it back up the other times I've dropped it. Dropping your bike is all part of learning to ride it and getting used to it. Anyone who tells you they've never dropped their bike is probably lying.

Enjoy your new bike, which ever one you end up with.  I have enjoyed every second of mine.

CRUIZIN  

CRUZIN,
Question for you out of curiosity. Did you take the MSF class?
If not, you may want to take the experienced rider course. They catch a lot of the little things you are doing wrong.

I took the basic course, and 2 years later the experienced rider. You'd be surprised how many things they found that could get me in trouble. I got rid of most of the problems, but, you get new ones.

I figure it's been several years since I went, and I have a new bike, so, it's time, especially since the new buggy is a GoldWing.  

The Honda CMX250, also known as the Honda Rebel 250, is a cruiser-style motorcycle. It uses the same engine as the Honda CB250 Nighthawk, a model intended more for street use. The Honda Rebel is part of the Honda CM series of cruisers and customized motorcycles. This lightweight (circa 320 pounds or 145 kg), 250 cc motorcycle is commonly used in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's certified rider-training courses.
____________________________________________
Floral Boutique cheapest loans trabajo vilafranca iPhone ringtones  

I took the course in jan-2008 and bought my first cycle in january.  I initially was looking at a vstar custom 650. Until I saw the vstar Raider-s, which I subsequently purchased.  A lot of people including my instructor thought I was crazy.  I was told by several people that if  I started with a 650 I would want to upgrade.  Starting with a 1900 does sound crazy but I've become very comfortable with it.  And I am not lying I have never dropped it.  I am 5'7" and the 27 inch seat and handlebar position is great and as pointed out that is very important.  As suggested, I had the salesman hold the bike while I had my feet on the pegs.  This bike has the pegs forward which took a while to get use to, so you might pay attention to this also.  I have a permanent tingling and numbness of both feet. I have no problem balancing the bike at stop signs, the bikes are very well balanced.  In the store try to lean one way and see the weight and what it takes to sraighten it.  If you are worried have someone spot you.  Everybody has given great advise. Havefun shopping and enjoy the ride.  

ohviewfinder,5' and 90 pounds.ive got a friend who used to teach motorcycle safety in missouri for 20 years.he would tell you not to buy an cycle you cant pick up off the ground.when i was 17 and about 120 pounds 5'6'' tall i started riding on a 250 cc yamaha.i think you should take the safety course first and then think about buying a motorcycle.  

Comparing scooters to motorcycles, scooters have one advantage: you don't have to shift gears, since most of them use a continuously variable belt drive like a snowmobile.  And scooters these days go up to 650cc, which is plenty enough power for the freeway.

Regarding the Rebel 250, you can't get a better beginner's bike.  It's what they use for the motorcycle safety classes in my area.  My wife bought one a few years back and loved it (she's 5'-5").  Got 80 mpg and could do 80 mph.  And looks good doing it.

Sure, you're going to outgrow it in a few seasons of riding.  Then you get the fun of picking your next, bigger, bike.  I think it's a lot safer to start small and work your way up as your skills improve.  Folks who have never ridden and start with the biggest bike they can find scare me.  

I totally agree with "muchlove" on the subject of underbuying your bike.  That is exactly what I did in July of '08.  I bought a new V-Star 1300 which was a '07 holdover.  I bought it for the price only.  It is a nice bike but I just don't like it.  I am trading up to a '09 Raider S Tuesday because that is the bike that I threw a leg over this past Saturday and simply feel in love.  That is my advice to you.  If you can't walk into you garage anytime of day and look at your bike without it making your heart flutter, you won't ride it.

Granted I am male.  I used to ride sport bikes 10 or twelve years ago that topped out at over 200 MPH and I let my tight ass wallet make the wrong purchase on my cruiser.

In a nutshell, make sure it is comfortable and attractive to you.

RavenRaider