More 2011 Kawasaki's.

[alanmcorcoran]

It seems you've done your homework, and I totally agree - one should not borrow money to buy a motorcycle unless it's your only way to get to a job. I think you will also like the Ninja (I've never heard anybody that had one say they didn't like it.) The GZ has a slightly different riding position and a cruiser style, but the Ninja will go faster - and that gives it a wider range of application.

I am surprised you can't find more used motorcycles for sale. I'm not familiar with Lubbock, and I know Texas did better than most with regard to the current economic climate, but there are a flood of used bikes elsewhere (here and Illinois for instance.) You may want to widen your search. You might get a motivated seller to ride one/deliver to you -even if they are 300-400 miles away - assuming you drive out there to inspect it first.