[mievil]

Any reason you would absolutely need to go new? Used you can get something with low mileage that compares to most of what you are listing for $2k less.

I'd stay away from the Ninja 250 just because most of your usage will be highway. It'd be better to have something that could get up and out of it's own way at those speeds.

I've heard mostly negatives about the Ninja 650 in comparison with other bikes of the nature.

If it were up to me I'd go with the Versys. But we won't be getting those here in Cali. So maybe that's the reason I want it. But the more upright seating of the Versys or the V-Strom would move me that direction as a commuter.