Kevsta ya dwarf…you would never get your legs over it mate :)
As I am taller than you, and I am a dwarf. What does that make you? 
Answers on a postcard.
+1 in here… 
Get a VFR mate!
If you don’t mind the looks of the V-Strom 650 then Suzuki are doing a deal now where you get a Garmin Sat Nav for £99 (til the end of July).
See here http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/promo/000137/
I have this on my V-Strom that I got last year and it cost me £450 which included “The Stealer” fitting it. Was about £350 at the time on the web.
This is my MPG since I got it in September. Mostly commuting 7 miles and the occasional blast up the M11 to Stanstead Airport.
Miles / Gallon
59.14
49.32
54.85
48.48
55.28
53.72
56.13
49.13
57.49
If you want 1000cc then the V-strom 1000s are on 0% finance for 2.5 years with £1 deposit.
Just seen one of these this morning. Fine looking bike and serioulsy competent for what it is. Not as nice as my Triumph though…!:w00t:
bootiful bike 
but thats going to be heavy…236kg dry!
After all that serious stuff, here’s some shallow advice:
You could get the bike that you love the look of and learn to ride around it’s shortcomings. Lets be honest a lot of us do!
As a first bike after DAS and a good all rounder for comfort, looks, performance and handling, I don’t think you can beat the CBR600F.
Was as comfortable as a comfortable thing, with a really good reason for being comfortable!!!
Well I’ll be at the bike meet tonight trying to convince people to let me sit on their bikes
Thanks for the thoughts and advice!
Triumph Daytona 955i perfect for a 4000mile trip to the North of Norway and back.
+1
but then i’m biased
I ride a VFR VTEC so here’s my tuppence worth…
As someone who’s only just done their DAS I think, for your own confidence, start on something lighter than a VFR. They’re fantastic bikes (not sure why it went up against a GSXR 750 in the Bike test - completely different types) but the weight takes a bit of getting used to and you’re far better improving your skills with something in the 600 range that you’re not going to drop at low speed.
CBR600F is an ideal one probably but don’t discount Fazer and Hornet - weather protection will be perfectly adequate.
FJR and Blackbird would be crazy choices too based on the above.
I have to say I’m not a fan of buying progressively bigger bikes.
If you want a big bike, buy one - just explore the throttle and brakes and gradually get to know the performance.
I’ve just done the annual trip to scotland on the bikes (the road from Fort Wiliam to Skye is amazing - almost as good as the one across Rannock Moor / Glencoe) - this year on a ZX9-R which was faultless and comfy.Managed about 1600 miles in 3 days.
I’ve you want something a bit more comfy, a fazer thou makes a lot of sense (the old style one) - comfortable, plenty of power.
Or a Blackbird - great bikes.
Kevsta did manage to get a leg over my KTM, with only a short run up…
CB1300S is a good choice but as you say a bit of a post DAS jump.
My vote would go for a Wee Strom (DL650) I ran one for a bit, what a cracking little bike, well up to most jobs, I only found it a bit lacking if you plan to go everywhere two up.
Hiya mate, at least once a year I ride my CBR 600 F all the way up to the Highlands - comfy as you like. Great all round bike.
Got 3 weeks up there this year, will be going hom (near Aviemore) then visiting family in Campeltown then travelling up the west coast to Skye to visit more family there.
I think it’s all about getting a bike you like the look of and then making adjustments to suit.
I did 9,000 miles in 18 days arould 40 states in the US in 05 on my V-Star 650 with just a little tombstone screen, enough to take the wind off your chest. However, I spent time getting the bars and pegs to a position that makes the ride comfortable. On my old GS Adventure I had to fit risers with abit of pull back and footpeg adapters that lowered and moved them forward slightly. For me, I need to sit pretty upright without my legs bent under otherwise distancer riding is painfull. I’ve also changed the seats on all the bikes I’ve had as that can make a difference to ride comfort.
I’ve also found that a small backrest helps a lot, especially if you don’t have a screen or only a small screen. It stops your shoulders and neck getting uncomfortable as it stops the wind from pushing you too far back and allows your arms to be relaxed rather than extended which often happens on a unfaired bike.
If you are going to do lot’s of long distance touring, then it’s worth going the route of a bike built for that. However, if it’s only going to be every now and then, get a bike that suits your day to day riding and find what makes it more comfortanble for those odd long trips.