Ok, so I'm new to riding and the community, so bear with me as this will probably be long and I don't know what exactly I'm looking for...
I'm a late 20's, relatively small framed, female and I'm looking for a new ride.
Just this past June I took a riders safety course and got my license.  During the course I rode a Honda 250 Rebel.  
Currently, I own a 1973 Honda CL175.  Unfortunatly this little bike is not the most reliable as it always seems to need some work done to it and I am unable to ride like I want to. I would also like something that doesn't "scream" at me in protest as I'm trying to go 60 mph down the road(even the Rebel did not have quite enough power for me... but that's hard to say as you don't take the bikes above 25 mph during the course).  So I'm looking for a new bike. (Or used, but decided to start here...)
All that said... I would like to find a good cruiser, anywhere from 500-750 ccs...or something like that, and nothing too heavy.  (I've driven a 1000 cc V-Max, but don't think I need anything that large and powerful...definitely not ready for my dads 1300 Hyabusa!)  And I'm not exactly sure what else I need to look for when looking at different models.  Oh yeah... one more BIG thing I have to look at is price- I just graduated from grad school and I also took a big vacation this summer so I need something under 10,000...or less the better! But I don't want to have to wait forever to buy myself a bike and hit the open road  
There is so much information out there, I just don't know where to begin.  Any help or bike suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
~Mel  

Hi, I'm 5'8", 135 lbs. and have a 2004 Honda Shadow VLX (VT600CD) that suits me very well. Check out the specs and see if you might consider it. It's not available after the 2007 model year though.  

Hello i think you should look at a vulcan 900 not to heavy great power and handling good luck  

I would reccommend looking at the Suzuki C50. I bought a new '08 in July and I love it. I am male 5-8 175lbs and it fits like a glove. It has a very low seat and I can stand flat footed while straddling it. I got mine out the door for $7500.00 I also looked at the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 but went with the Suzuki for the shaft drive. It has plenty of power and has no problem cruising on the highway at 70. It handles real well at crawler speed in parking lots and has a low center of gravity which helps it stay balanced. You could also opt for the C50T which already has bags, windshield and back rest for about $1000.00 more.
 There are several reviews available on-line that can help you decide on what you think will best fit you and your budget.  

My wife is 5'2" and loves her VStar 650 Custom.  Great low seat height. She can get both feet flat on the ground. I added some OEM Yamaha floorboards and she is as happy as can be.  That's the secret to staying married over 24 years (ha ha ha, sorry, I could not resist) LOL. LOL.

Peace be to journey,
Barney  

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.  A few of these I had looked at... specs only, not the opportunity to sit on any.
I know this is not the right forum, but I will ask anyway...
Now I've acutally also been looking at used, and have found a 2003 Suzuki Savage LS650.  Any pros/cons people have found from personal experience.  This is pretty much a "no frills" bike (or at least compred to some out there.) This bike has 740 miles on it anda brand new gel seat.  The owner is asking $2800.  She's upgrading to her late husband's Harley. I have not seen the bike yet...tonight...and I can't wait. Is this a fair asking price?  I've done my homework online, but still like to hear as much as I can about something I'm looking into.  

I am a Suzuki person and I'm not familiar with the 650 but I know it's a single cylinder so it might vibrate.  Look around for a C50 or a Volusia as it was originally called.  It has a very high rating for an 800.  Very powerful and an excellent cruiser.  You might be able to still find new 07's or even 06's  

You may want to check out the Vulcan 500.  You can't beat the price new or used.  It's got plenty of power even on the highway and I get 57mpg to boot.  Besides, it's a lot of fun to ride.
Gibby  

The VN800 Vulcans, are bulletproof, the Chain (retch...barf), are actually good for tweaking the ride.  It's just 20 bucks or so to swap ratios.
I did get 50+mpg at everything less than 80 mph when I did 17/38 ratio. My main jet was too large, so, it just sucked gas.
The 500 is a fine ride, but luggage space is at a premium. The parallel  twin is to my mind, far better than the v-twin.