I had a 89' I'm 5'4" and I could touch almost flat footed. I had some of the cushion in the seat shaved and it made it even better to touch. The bike was a blast, I kept it for a couple of years actually and I also made $800 when I sold it. It had a Yosh slipon that was on it when I bought it, I added a jet kit, ignition advancer, rear sprocket 2up, and put a 160 rear tire on it and it was a awesome bike to start on. So I think it would make a great start bike...it has plenty of get up and go but not to the point of a new bike, it's not a heavy pig either really not as bad as you'd think. Plus the parts to replace OEM body work if she has it fall over is cheap cheap cheap.