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I am familiar with SV650 but now isn;t the rider leaning foward over the tank and with short arms??? could be not so great on back either.Not trying to be difficult but just wishing there were more bikes for little folk
that were beyond the rebel/savage style, an experienced rider bike for smaller fit.

Hiya Sb, Although the wild star is low, it is also wide, Dave found this problem when he tryed for a bike to fit, But the 1100 virago, has lower seat height than the 750 or 535, but the good thing with the 1100 is that even me 4'11" can almost put my feet flat on the ground. I have a spinal disability, I find that a Gel seat pad makes all the difference, this absorbs a lot of vibration and bumps in the road. Another suggestion is rubber mount bars etc. Now Dave rides FZX 750 which has been lowered via shocks, although I dont have sissy bar I still have the gel seat pad, but its a different riding position anyway, as I'm tucked away behind Dave

sbcvulcan wrote:I am familiar with SV650 but now isn;t the rider leaning foward over the tank and with short arms??? could be not so great on back either..

I rode and raced a 12 speed bike many years ago (yes, only twelve speeds). I can tell you from experience, that the shock absorption ability of your spine is greatly improved by stretching it out, rather than compressing it. I copied my road bike position to my mountain bike, as much as possible considering the cg issues of off-road riding. I ride a standard for this very reason. It stretches my lower back out and takes the thump out of bumps in the road.

Even riding my sons vulcan for a short time puts more pressure on my lower back than I like. His sportbike is the best position, for me, except for the angle of the clip-on bars, and pressure on the wrists. I don't ride it enough to get used to it, but I'm sure it would suit me better than the vulcan. I shaved the seat on my bike to get a lower sitting height. I also lean slightly forward with the back stretched (modified standard position) due to the superbike bars.

Shaving the seat sides makes a big difference in your ability to reach the ground. She may be able to ride a standard with the seat correctly contoured by shaving both the top and sides to custom fit her.

See the slight forward lean...

The SV 650 S (The one with the fairing) is a more sporty seating style, the un-faired SV650 is more of an up-right position. Probably not quite as up-right as some other standards, but I suspect your friend would be more comfortable on one than the V-Star.