I very strongly agree with the idea of not buying anything until she has her endorsement and can test the bike she wants herself. The excitement of the hunt can easily over ride good judgement. I wouldn't necessarily say that any bike is too big by default. Too small can be just as bad - even just the right size can be bad. The Buell Blast is well balanced small bike, but those front brakes are too sensitive and lock easily... not a good thing and not on my recommendation list for that reason.
Maybe a new tack is what you need. If she buys a small, cheap used scoot she'll be able to get some saddle time and have a chance to shop for real with her own butt in the seat. Would she buy shoes without trying them on? A dress? She doesn't want to buy something that's uncomfortable or... uh... makes her look fat?
Sportsters are fun little road rippers, Ultras are great for the long haul, Dynas have that Old School look, but the bottom line is is how you feel when you're tooling down the road, not what what it looks like in the garage.

Good luck to you and your folks. I hope everything goes well for y'all.

 

If you love her as much as you should, tell her you won't help her or ride with her until she passes the course.

You have to be really bad (read : DANGEROUS TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS) to fail that course.

 

If she didn't pass with a 250cc in that beginner course, she will hurt herself and maybe somebody else on a larger bike.

I was helping ride sweep at some Harley demo rides in Myrtle Beach a few weeks ago. A lady that had her endorsement wanted to ride one of the soft tails with forward controls. She didn't even know how to start it. Dropped it at the first traffic light, jumped off, and said "Im done with it". This lady use to ride smaller bikes in downtown NYC, or so she said. You know what is going to happen.

Don't give up trying to rationally tell here what is going to happen. And it ain't gonna be purdy.

 

this is my point. she has never riden a bike except for in that class and she has no other bike to ride unless she takes the class again. and was insulted they didnt pass her.

this was suggested and i was told my father wanted to do the shopping on his own for her bike. he knows nothing i repeat nothing about motorcycles. he himself cannot and does not ride.

and as to the question of her height and weight. oddly enough she is the same height and weight as my wife and she said my wifes bike seemed to big for her. my wife rides a suzuki volusia 800. and my wife says her bike is heavy to her and she is alot stronger then my mother is. and years more time in the seat

but next time im asked anything im just gonna have to tell them i dont think they are being very safe about there choices when thinking about this and she is gonna have to find away to test ride the bikes herself or find someone else because i dont feel comfortable with them buying a bike bigger then something my wife currently rides. who has years more time in the seat then she does. we have also questioned her decision making as far as driving a car but its kinda like a teenager you cant tell them and tell them but they dont wanna seem to listen. i just personally dont want to have a hand in it anymore. simply because of saftey asspect. maybe i should take her for a ride on my wifes bike just to prove she wont be able to handle it right away.

 

That's a tough situation. If your wife is OK with letting Mom experiment with her ride, and you're OK with repairing any damages, this might be a very good option. I'd hate to see this fracture any relationships when it should bring you closer. I'm afraid we can't help an awful lot beyond being a sounding board for you.

 

How old is she, what does she weigh and how tall is she?

 

57 about 5'9 maybe 160 170 i think.

and my wife isnt gonna let her use her bike that is why we tell her about bikes on like craigslist. i think they are listening to there "freinds" on this subject. its all mute for me now. im just seeing it at higher hopes then reality.

 

Honda Silverwing

http://powersports.honda.com/2013/silver-wing-abs.aspx

 

If she's "insulted" that they didn't pass her, I don't think anyone has to tell you that the problem isn't the MSF course. There is a reason why every single thread here where someone asks about getting started riding gets "take the MSF course" as the predominant reply.

You are in a tough spot. I would just make it clear that you worry for her safety and don't want to be involved in something that might end up with her hurt, or worse. The simple answer is that she needs to take the course again. And maybe again.

Best wishes dude.