Motorcycle owners, riders, I need your advice.

I have my licence for quite a few years now, yet I do not own a steel horse. I keep borrowing one [ninja 650 2010] occasionally for a ~100km ride from someone, 2-4 times per season.

A few weeks ago I did a 1k km mototrip around the country. Gotta say, I loved it! Ever since I cannot stop day dreaming about my own bike.

I'm not an aggressive rider. I like it smooth, steady, comfortable, but with some proper kick occasionally. I'd be riding in a city and taking longer trips [500+km], preferrably with a passenger.

Cruisers are awfully large, city bikes look boring, choppers are loud. Supersports - not my cup of joe. I think I'm settling for the sport-touring class.

Since I don't have lots of xp, it's likely I'll fall, so new and shiny or expensive toys will have to wait.

I feel like falling in love with vfr800 late gen6 [2007-'09], with fine-tuned vtec. I love all the feedback about the steadiness, comfort and power. And it does look cool!

What are your opinions about the vfr? What are the drawbacks?

What other bikes should I look at, that would have similar specs to vfr?

Also, when is it better to buy one? At the end of the season or at the beginning [spring/autumn]?