get a Blackbird then, comfy as hell and you can pick them up reasonably priced now, get one with all the luggage for extra value…nowt out there at the moment to make me change mine without spending a fortune to do the same
Sat on one the other day, very similar riding position to the VFR, and I know what I am like, the more power I have, the more tempted I am to use it.
This is why the Pan is the answer, more upright, more comfortable for the wife, less temptation to go faster than I really need to.
Bob
R1100RT within your price range, will surprise a lot of sportsbikes with its handling and built to tour, luggage on and off in 30 secs 
if you then want a pure sportsbike to play on you will have money to spend