I started riding back in the mid '80s.  Learned on my husband's kickstart Yamaha Enduro 175.  Picture this -- I'm 5'2" so my husband had to run along beside me to teach me the gears and had to be in place wherever I stopped because I couldn't reach the ground.  Had to put the bike in Neutral on the kickstand, run around to the right side and kickstart it, then back around to the left to get on it.  Isn't that the dumbest thing! 

Wised up and got a Yamaha 250, then a Honda 400, a Suzuki Savage, then my 2003 V-Star.  Got a good deal on the 2006 AERO so just had to have it and love it.  We ride every chance we get.  We found Old Coots on Scoots and are enjoying doing some group trips with them.