How tall are you? The big Bandit is quite a heavy machine, and although easy to handle considering its size, if it starts to tip over in very slow speeds, like in a parking lot, you may have trouble to keep it upright.
Carbs > < EFI is not a valid point here in my view, as both of these bikes are known to be just about as bulletproof as they get. It´s the quality of maintenance, that makes the difference. And EFI is nothing to be afraid of, people go around the world on EFI bikes these days and they work just fine (my experience is, that they are actually more trouble-free than carbs ever were). Just don´t forget the importance of maintenance, on any bike.
Me, even though I´m a Suzuki man, I think I´d stick to the VFR, because it could be more fun on the (fantastic!) Norwegian mountain roads. I used to work at a mc-dealership, and then I rode quite a bit with the VFR800-00, and it is one of the most brilliantly balanced sporttourers I´ve ever ridden. The Bandit is fun, but it´s not really in the same league, if you rode them back-to-back, the Bandit´s handling feels just old. And some fairing is also good to have on a touring bike, the weather in Scandinavia in the summer can be just about anything. End of July you just MIGHT get some warm weather, though.
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