Without having more data to go on, I suggest the following:
With the bike running at idle, check the voltage across the battery terminals. This need to be some voltage greater than 12 volts. In a perfect world, I'd like to see 14.5 volts, but many Japanese small displacement bikes will only get 13 - 13.5 volts. This increases as the engine rpm increases to around 14.5.
If you do not get the desired voltage in the test above, find the ground cable and follow it to the grounding point on the chassis/engine. You may find that this connection is loose, dirty or a combination of the two. Clean and tighten as necessary.
If you still have not found the problem, remove the battery (remembering to disconnect the negative terminal first) and then seek out all those wonderful little bullet connections that the Japanese like so well. I have had bikes in the past, and have a few now, that requires these connections be cleaned for the charging system to work.
This means that you get some CRC 56, scotch bright material and at least a 6 pack and disconnect and clean one terminal at a time. You will fine these connections throughout the bike, but I generally start with those in the headlight and work my way back. While you are doing this, you can multi-task and put your battery on a charger.
If this does not get things going for you, put the charged battery in, (remember to connect the positive first, then the ground) and drive it to your local dealer. If your wife can handle the weight of an 883 - go for it, if she needs something that is light and can travel at highway speeds, check out the Suzuki S40 (aka Savage).
Be safe
Jake