I am 5ยด3" and I strongly recommend nothing smaller than a 600. I have a 650 (actually 652) to start out and believe me you want a bike that weighs enough and has enough power to let you ride on the highways when you have to. I live in the country but still have to get on some farm roads that are busy and people are doing 70 to 75mph. So you do not want a bike that is not able to get you out on the road and a bike that cannot hold the road while the wind is blowing or vehicles are passing. E-mail if I can help or you want someone to ask and compare information with anytime.