Best bike for a prodigal HUBBer?

[Warthog]

Hello all.

For me it's been a looooong time since I last logged on. Life sort of got in the way. Money made overlanding more of a dream than an ambition and kids made motorbikes more of a garage filler than a hobby.

But life has changed and I find myself with at least the possibility of bike trips again, if not full-on trips across Africa or the Siberian steppe.

That means I may be in the market for a new-to-me bike.

Currently, I have a 1996 Honda Transalp 600 which I have ridden across France, Poland, Slovakia and Czech Rep, as well as my home of Estonia. I was a solo rider for those trips and, while it is up to the job for running around for a Sunday blast with my girlfriend as pillion, I fear it would not be potent enough for riding two up across Europe where mile-munching would have to occur at some points.

I'd also like something with a bit more poke.

And so I ask for some recommendations as I am totally out of touch with bikes these days and I don't remember enough of what I knew 7 years ago about the foibles of this bike or that.

So, what am I looking for?

Comfort. Crossing and touring Sweden on a supermoto XR400R told me unequivocally that my posterior is particular and my back is unforgiving (knackered lumbar disc). And, whilst giving my pillion a bum-massage has its merits, I think she wants to be comfortable too. So comfort is a must.

Type. Whilst I loved my trip across Patagonia, two-up on a GS, I'm not sure I'll be doing any major trail work so dual-sport/adventure tourer is not essential. So I'd consider tourer and sports tourers too.

Power. Yes..... I may not be hung up on another superbike, but I'd like something that is going to put a smile on my face so I'm probably looking around the litre mark in cc.

Reliability. I know that anything can go wrong but touring on a bike that I don't feel confident about just kills half the joy. Whilst I can do a fair bit of my own repairs, I don't get a kick from patching up a bike by the side of the road with duct-tape and chewing gum. So something that is statistically solid would have to be a deal-maker.

Fuel economy. I know that if I wind a 1000cc bike up and gun it down the open road consumption will suffer but I'd like something that doesn't drink like a fish, just cruising. For the record, I'm quite happy to ride along at 80kmph on a back road or 130 on a motorway and when I do, I'd like the bike to have a decent range and not have my holiday budget eviscerated at every fuel stop. What is good economy for me? Well, I can say the Honda can get 65mpg (about 4.5-5 litres/100km) if I ride a steadily 80kmph but I accept that might not be achievable with a bigger bike.

Likely destinations. Given my location, budget and vacation allowance, I think my feasible range would anywhere in Europe, inc Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, as far as Spain too

Price. €3-4000.

So far, I've found myself looking at the likes of the FJR1300, V-strom DL1000, Fazer 1000, Blackbird 1100, although the Suzuki and Yamaha 1000 seem the closest in price to my goals.

So, my question is how does my shortlist stack up to my requirements and are there any others I should add? A Beemer GS would be nice, sure, but completely inaccessible price-wise, before anyone suggests that.

So over to you, itchy-footed bike travellers of HUBB. Let me know what you think!