Have a look at the WR250R. It's the less hardcore Fuel Injected version of Yamaha's premier enduro bike. Still bulletproof like the Suzi's but the engine is as smooth as a roadbike engine (which makes a big difference when commuting). Maintenance intervals are on par with a roadbike (unless doing hardcore offroad work) and they will hold their own in the bush against almost anything with a good pilot on board.

You can find 10 or 11 plated models in some dealers still for around 8 grand or secondhand you can generally negotiate a low km model down to around $5g. I spent 3 years as service manager at a dealership and never had to do a warranty claim on one (we sold a lot too) and the fit,finish and technology is light years ahead of the Suzuki's you mentioned. I was so impressed with the versatility of these while working at the bike shop that I ended up buying 2. The wife has the factory Motard version which she commutes on (and I occasionally blast through the Snowy Mountains on) and I have the Enduro model. 250cc rego is still cheap here in the ACT and we paid $5k for each bike with less than 2000km's and at least $1000 worth of extra's fitted on each one. Bang for buck they're the best bikes I've ever bought (the mrs' one has paid for itself just in saved parking fee's) and the running costs on them are negligible. I think Bec's one is about $300 a year for full comp on a learner rider .