Yes, I´d agree that the cb250N is a good starter bike for a chick - I´m a ´chick´ and a learner, and feel really comfortable with my bike. It´s treated me well, and is a bit of a workhorse. Just bought it about 6 months ago, and have already trekked around on it quite a bit: Scottish Outer Hebrides, and then a trek from Edinburgh down to Brighton. We made it.