Um sorry I see you are a chick....Ya uh just buy the cute bike. Laughing
I'm going to say you're partially correct. I'm sure the dirt bike is a good idea, and I know I shouldn't care as much as about the look. But the dirt bikes are beyond my ability to not care what they look like realm. I also want to be able to get up and go some, but I don't think I'll ever be someone who wants to jump ramps with a dirt bike, or go 200 mph on a sport.
It's a starter bike, so I know I'm going to drop it (but still I hope I might not), so if there's dings, and scratches on the one I'm looking at it won't kill me. I know the next bike I grow into I'll get more of what I want. That being said, since I'm not a speed seeker and just want something to get me around the city, you never know I may want to keep a 250. But mostly doubtful.. I think the main reason I'd upgrade is so I could carry a passenger regularly around, or stuff which there is no way you can do that on a such a small bike. I've got an 8 year old that will eventually ride with me when I feel 100% comfortable on the bike itself. I think a smaller bike could handle her and me for now, but not forever.
I sat on a Buell Blast 400, and watched the boyfriend ride it, I saw how he jerked back a little when he took off, and it kinda worries me to start off with some that pulls you back like that. And it was only a 400, so you can see why I hesitate to go any bigger than that...besides watching craig's list it seems as long as I take decent care of it, and don't drop it I can resale for about the same as I bought it for even a year later.
I think overall I'm pretty set on the Ninja 250, and there was the cutest black with a little bit of pink for sale, but it was way overpriced. However if something came along cheaper that was around the same size, or even a little bigger I'd get it.