Anyone Gone From The 7Th Gen To The 8Th Gen?

It would be nice to hear if someone has downsized from the 1200 to the new 800.

How you feel afterwards, are you still happy and do you regret anything?

My idea is to own both bikes. The 1200 for the trip full loaded, the 800 for the daily trip, alone. I have the 800-98 for 250k km, now the 1200 for 84k km and I have tested the new 800. In the Dolomiti mountains the 800 is a lot easier to ride than the 1200 and a lot more funny.

Thanks ilprofessore.

I cannot afford both.

How you see new 800, is it ok also for long trips (alone)?
Something like 2 weeks and 5000 km.

Others are welcome to comment also.

Others are welcome to comment also.

I've always found it amusing that some folks feel they just have to have a certain amount of displacement (read: power) to go touring.

I've done thousands of miles two-up and loaded on bikes with less than 60 peak HP (peak meaning wringing a torque-less inline twin's f'ing neck) at the crank and never felt challenged even when heading up the mountains.

I think some folks just need to feel more kick in their behind.  To each their own but necessity, no, necessity is something else.  At most it might mean you'd "need" to plan out that pass on a semi while going up-hill, or wait a minute for the road to head back down.

As for comfort, have you read the reviews?  I even wrote one.  It's on this forum.

If you haven't already, maybe post on the 7th gen forum to see what people say that have upgraded from an 800. That might give you the insight you need.

I spent $11 grand on a KTM dirtbike, the vfr has been getting weekly mercy rides as a result. I'll never rid the VFR its too valuable with High mileage and mint condition. But The KTM fills the itch for my exercise routine.

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Hmm... maybe I need to tell why I opened this thread. If you look my erlier posts here they are all in the 7th gen Forum. I joined here 2010 after I had bought the 1200.

After 5 happy years and almost 50000 km I know the 1200 very well.
On the other hand I don't know almost anything about the NEW 800.

But now it's time to try something else and the NEW 800 interests me especially after reading lots of reviews (also here) and watching lots of
ride videos.

I hope to find someone who knows 1200 well and who has now the new 800.
This kind of real life experiences would be interesting to hear.

The new 800 is the perfect bike to drive alone. In my opinion, better than the 1200.

It can be used as a single bike for all, including long trip full loaded, no problems for that. 

But, if the main mileage is made full loaded, the 1200 is better.

When full loaded, the weight advantage of 800 is reduced a lot, while the big difference in torque guarantee an easier drive with the 1200.

Moving from a 1200 to  the new 800 could be a little difficult at the beginning, due to the big difference in power. But when you will get used to the new bike, it will be absolutely fantastic.

I'm sure having less power will not be a problem after a short while if I switch to new 800.

The effortless power of 1200 (=torque) of course would be nice to have.

I wonder how much I will compromise in ergos and in comfortability.

The 1200 has excellent windshield, it protects me very well w/o any buffeting or noise.

Actually 1200 was my first bike where I did not feel any need for replaclement windshield.

Is the windshield in the new 800 as good as it's in the 1200?

According to cycle-ergo.com riding positions in both bikes are quite identical.

There seems to be slightly more forward lean in the 800 and I wonder will it cause any discomfort on longer trips?

I haven't had any major issues with the 1200 saddle and I can rider full day quite comfortably.

How is the saddle in the new 800, is comfortbale also for longer trips?

The stock windshield is excellent, and ergonomics are great. I like the seating position slightly better than the 1200's.
I'm kinda short though (1.74m), there could be problems for tall riders.