Ninja 500 vs. Buell Blast

[Breezy57]

Hi I'm a newbie( to the board and to ridin') :hibye: . I'm gonna take my msf class next weekend. :yay: So i'll be ready to start lookin for a bike. I'm lil' (5ft. & 100lbs. w/ wet suit) so I don't have much choices or much loot. So far i've been lookin into the ninja 250 & 500 or the buell blast. I can't flat-foot the ninja 500 :cry: but I'm close. the buell I have no problem ( 25" seat height.) And I'm picky I don't a cruizer. I guess what i'm asking is which handels better?, will I grow out of it?, and any comments or suggestions. .

[Anonymous]

Having ridden and worked on my ex girlfriend's Blast... Go with the Ninja. The Blasts have a nasty tendency to crack engines when you crater that stupid bottom exhaust on a speedbump, they shake like a mofo, and for some reason just don't "feel" quite right to me. They're cool little single-cylinder bikes though and are low maintenence.

The ninja will handle sharper, have a little more power, and probably more longevity (they really do last forever if you take care of them).

I suggest you ride both, since they are really two totally different animals...

[foxyblue]

Welcome :yay: .

I too am vertically challenged (~5'4"). I sat on & tested a number of bikes before I purchased mine. The Ninja 500 is nice. I felt very comfy on it. The Buell, eh it was OKay, just not what I wanted.

I went with a SV650s & shaved the seat. I'm afraid though you still wouldn't lay your feet flat on the ground with this bike unless you made more modifications. The plain SV can be lowered even lower. There is a girl from AR I believe & she is tiny, I don't think she makes it to 5 foot with boots on. She whoops up on some folks, let me Tell Ya.

My best suggestion is get out there & try them out. Especially after you take your MSF course, which by the way I congratulate you on making a smart choice to take the class before hand :yes: . Don't base your decision off of just suggestions. Get the bike you feel comfortable on!!!!

[redheadjaz]

Welcome to the board! :hibye: I have ridden both bikes and I prefer the Ninja. I rode my friend's Blast before I got my Ninja and enjoyed it, but my 250 just seems snappier. My Ninja has almost 14,000 miles on it and it runs great. Plus, I've heard much better things (mechanically speaking) about the Ninja than the Blast. Plus, it's a really good beginner bike...it has enough power to have fun with, but it's small enough to have alot more room for error for the newbies. :D

IMO, the Ninja would be much better. But, like foxy said, it's very important to go with what is more comfortable for you.

[Anonymous]

Try the Ninja 250 - the seat is a bit lower than the 500. My wife Tania has one.

[kawigirl]

Definately go with the Ninja. I'm 5'2" and I have a 250. It's just perfect for a beginner bike. Honestly I don't even flat foot that so I know I could not handle anything bigger until I'm more experienced.

[Sully]

WELCOME!!
... uh.. don't even get me started on being vertically challenged.... If I have to see Amazzon swaying her bike back and forth between her legs again (while she hovers above her bike seat)... someone's braid's are gonna come undone! :twisted:
IMO go with what feels comfortable to you... :)

[amazzon]

:pointlaugh: :lol: :lol: oh damn :shock:

...aw....Sully...U know I got nuthin but luv 4 u :lol: :lol:

[Sully]

:lol: Got nuttin' but luv for ya sista! :P

[CJ Rider]

... Honestly I don't even flat foot that so I know I could not handle anything bigger until I'm more experienced.LOL; just wait 'till we ride together, girl. I'll show ya what it's like to be REALLY vertically challenged; LOL! Is this weekend still good for you? BTW... I did have a Buell Blast at one point. 'Just didn't have enough power to pass trucks on the interstate going uphill, so it was kinda scary. I dunno about the Ninjas (they are cute), but the Ducati Monster worked OK for me (being vertically challenged). However, I just decided I'm more of a dirty girl and swapped out the Ducati for a Suz DR650 dualsport and I'm much happier now riding that thing. Just a thought. -CJ