cadre

I would say go and sit on both, and then you decide which one you want. There's really nothing wrong with getting one or the other. They're both great bikes but they feel a little different when you're sitting on them so the one that feels best to you would probably be best.

As far as the price goes you can probably find both in good condition for as little as 2,300. It may be easier to find a Ninja but in the same regards it may be harder to sell one down the road since there are a lot out there.

Oh, I can't believe I forgot to mention this but if you go with the Blast, make sure it's 2003 or newer! The originals had some issues with the engines. You can still find one for cheap, in fact, I bought my '04 for 2,300 since it had been down. And there's no reason you can't buy a bike that has a few scratches, they're beginner bikes so chances are they've been dropped a few times. As long as it's all minor, take a bike expert with you when you're looking at the used bikes so you don't get screwed over (private sellers will lie just as much as dealerships).

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My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.