Sports/sports tourer recommendations?

In your opinions, which is the most appealing sports or sports tourer? I'm
thinking of 2 bikes in particular, the Yam 600 Thundercat and the
HondaVFR800. Totally different, I know. I ride mainly for pleasure, so a
tourer isn't really needed, but I'm thinking if I get a tourer, I might
start going on long camping trips and across Europe. But the Thundercat
looks like fun. (I've not ridden either of those, just my Ducati 600 SS).
Possibly new, or late used.

Insurance is going to be a problem for me with large sports bikes, so 600 is
about the biggest true sports I can manage (not CBR6RRRRR, GSXRRRRR etc).

Any ideas? Any other sports tourers out there which are also fun? I'm torn
between sensible and stupid.

 

I love my VFR. Some say it's lacking in character, but the V4 sounds
lovely, plus it rides and handles well enough for most needs.

I've ridden a Thundercat, but they're a bit too revvy for my liking and
nowhere near as comfortable.

 

You'll not get a 'new' new Thundercat 'cos they're not made anymore. But I
did look in the possibility of Kate swapping her R6 back for one the other
month and there are a few UK dealers knocking out unregistered 2 year old
bikes, with full Yam warranty, for quite reasonable prices. Kate considered
changing back because she rated it so much for long distance stuff - the R6
fair knackers her on the 500-odd mile each way trip to the UK.... I thought
it was rather good at what it did, too. A much more tractable engine at
lower revs than the R6 and a comfier riding position. Good for 150+
(indicated) and pretty bulletproof, from our experience. But they are a
tad, er, bland. Which isn't such a bad thing really.

Not ridden a VFR so wouldn't know about them, but on the spec sheets they're
about the same power, slightly slower, a little more weight and probably a
slightly more relaxed ride...

Dave

 

I have a similar issue but cos I'm tall and have back trouble.
I looked at the VFR but didn't like the linked brakes and was worried
about the lunge when the extra valves come into play.
Thundercat was nice But in the end went for a ZX636 , however not the
latest arse in the air version. I went for a A1p 636 pretty damn fast
very very comfy can get as much as 160miles to the tank , or as little
as 120.
Id recommend one you'll get a real good 03 model for between 3 and 4k
depending on dealer or private sale.

Ken
ZX636

 

600 Fazer (old model, using the T'cat engine).