What is the best off-road motorcycle for someone with no bike experience?

[Nessa]

I live in the desert but never really got into bike riding and 4x4ing till recently....i'm thinking about getting a bike for my husband and i but i have no idea what would be a good bike to start with? My husbands in Iraq so i kinda wanna surprise him or i would just ask him what to get. Any ideas before i start actually going out and looking at bikes?? Thanks!!
Oh! also if anyone has suggestions on brands...kawasawki, honda... yamaha???