Yeah, ditto on the VFR.  I rode my roommate's '96 VFR 750 for the first time on the highway today on our way back from the N.Ga mountains.   That is a SOLID bike with all the torque you'll ever need for highway trips.  The seating position is pretty darned close to the seating position on a GS (mine, at least)... but talk about power in any gear!   As far as i'm concerned, V configurations are where its at.... I don't need to maintain 100+ mile per hour  speeds, so I'll take my power on the low-to-mid end where it will help keep me out of the way of the cagers.

I also rode my friend's '97 GSXR-600 for a good bit.   Its a zippy bike (especially compared to my GS500), but I can't see myself upgrading to it.  Besides the horsepower, I wasn't all that impressed with the handling (wide bike that doesn't true-steer very well... you have to lean it to get it to do anything).  The one thing I did like was that the engine doesn't mind working at high revs (the tach goes a lot higher than the tach on a gs or vfr).

I was about to say VFR.. dude.. got to tell you.. its a nice bike. Handles well.. get a 2003.. I think it was the 2003 that was rated "bike of the year" or something like that.. it is a sweet ride. I have heard some bad things about I think it was the 2004 model... something about valves and lower power at low rpms... but don't quote me on it.

Well done with your new bike my Good friend had a vfr 750  & had no problem with on the long trips, The only other bike you might  like is a Bandit GSF  1200S  ( when I was looking for a new bike the two that come to my mind was the vfr 800 & Bandit GSF  1200S , I went with the Bandit GSF  1200S because it was like the GS 500 only with more power well maybe anyway well done  

all the best matt    your  friend

Safe Ride

I looked at the Bandit (both the 6 and 12).  I liked the ergos, the pricetag and the fact that it was a Suzuki.   I promised myself, however, that I wouldn't get another bike w/o fuel injection.

OK, I gotta hit the road and go pick up my new wheels.  Thankfully the guy is letting me keep his plates on for the ride back to my house--can't get temp tags until Monday.

Picked the bike up and ride it home.  It's like night and day riding that after learning on the GS.  It's noticably heavier, but sooo smooth on the throttle.  It's so much better than the GS on the highway that I can't begin to describe it.

Looking forward to re-learning how to ride.  It seems pretty forgiving, and feels like I can grow into it safely.

Thanks for all the advice about buying--made my search and decision a lot easier.  

Congrats and welcome to the VFR fold, I hope it has have a sport pipe fitted to unleash that special v4 note

Just like this GS forum, you will find the VFR forums have pleasant, friendly and helpful people, most probably because VFR riders also don't tend to be racer boys with something to prove like most here in GStwins.

Personally I ride a Blue '96 VFR750 and love the gear driven cams sound. Safe riding and yes you find her a bit heavier than the GS, just make sure you set your corners up as it isn't as forgiving as the light and nimble GS.  Also save up for the next set of tyres as a pair of tyres for the GS cost me less than the VFR rear tyre alone, personally I use the Mich Pilot Roads.  I have no doubt you will enjoy the bike, and at least you didn't get a red one (the other colours do go faster)

Cheers
Conrad