[The_AirHawk]

All those look like good choices to me - I'd say it's just a matter of personal taste/deal you can make in which you choose. The cruiser WILL have a bit less ground-clearance, and as such most will relegate that to the "handles like crap" class. But, if the cruiser is what pushes your buttons - goforit.

So far as the "touring" aspect: I've a friend that told me about his touring adventures all across the American Southwest with his wife on a "big" Yamaha 175 back in the '70s.(of course, he's 5'5", 140lb and his wife is barely 5' and weighs less than that)

It's all what you make it.

Take your time in choosing, sit on your "prospects" with your passenger, and take note of how much room you've left for baggage.

All your choices would easily allow myself a full-weeks solo-touring with virtually all my camping gear. Less-so with a pillion. Your situation may differ, of course.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Yes they do seem to have their kid gloves on don't they.

Well, he DID do a bit of research into what he wants to ride, and those ARE good choices, and he HAS a bit of two-wheeled experience.

As opposed to the usual guy that comes in and goes WAH! WAH! I WANNA MOTEYCYCEE - SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT TO GET THAT'S GOT MORE THAN 200HP 'CUZ I NEVER RODE ONE BEFORE BUT I KNOW WHAT I'M DOIN' AND YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT I CAN'T HANDLE IT FO' SHIZZLE, YO!!!

 

[The_AirHawk]

Do you reckon that i'm going to need over 600cc for comfortable touring with a pillion? I don't know if build has anything to do with it. I'm 6'1'' and weigh about 180 pounds. My lady is pretty small...

In a Word? No. I think you'll find the bikes you've named aren't going to be any "smaller" than something 600cc+. It's all a matter of physical space - not the size of the engine (once it has enough power to lug you around). The GOOD thing about buying from the used market is: if you don't like the bike for your needs - sell it for what you've paid for it, and buy another.

Also, am i really going to regret having no fairings if i go for a naked bike?

Depends on your definition of "fairings". If you mean "covered in plastic sportbike vs. a naked sportbike" - not really. There's SOME protection for the pilot. But, usually the pillion still suffers a bit. That even happens on larger "touring" bikes when they're designed more for aesthetics over functionality (but often, functionality is >/= UGLY).

Altogether, this comes-down to picking the bike that YOU want, that has enough power for YOU, that meets YOUR needs.

Nobody else can do that for you, and it's really harder than you might think. The best moto in the world is a compromise.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Good grief . . . what next.

Tha'll prolly l'arn ya's ta ax a questshun lak dat!