Please don't be offended, but my first thought is if the bike is really for your wife, you should take her along shopping. My wife only rides pillion, but if she did want to ride her own, I would get her involved in the selection. At 6' and 220 lbs, my KLR fits me better & is more comfortable (vibration aside) than the other bikes in the stable. My wife is petite, so a KLR 650 would not be the bike for her. Personally, I think the CRF 300 Rally would be a great bike if my wife wanted to ride, but I would want her "buy in" before I would get one for her. Letting her watch a couple of "Itchy Boots" episodes on YouTube should do the trick.