I'm sure your test ride will confirm if that's true, but rather coincidentally I've been trawling through some of this long post on ADVRider about off-roading the 800 XC in Aus, not exactly road-riding but very complimentary on handling.wisart wrote:I went and took a look at the Tiger 1050 at a local dealer today. I liked everything about it except the price. Would probably get a used one if I decide it is the right bike for me. I sat on three tall bikes at the dealer, the Versys, Tiger 800 and the Tiger 1050. Funnily enough the Versys had the tallest seat followed by the 1050 and then the 800.
The 800 really got my attention again. The bike is very light, I can flat foot it and ABS is standard. I can't flat foot the 1050 but I can get both feet down somewhat. The Versys is either one foot or the other.
I'm a bit torn as many reviewers have stated that the Tiger 800 motor is sedate compared to the 1050 and that it doesn't handle as well. Not that it handles poorly, just a comparative statement. A brand new Tiger 800 is just past the top of my budget but close enough that I would take the plunge. I like the looks of the 800 but love the looks of the 1050.
Test rides will happen as I get closer to buying time.
The Ninja 650 and Versys are still in the running.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=704559
I've only had a brief try on the standard 800, when my STR 675 had a service last year, certainly comfy and effortless but having just stepped off the STriple it had a hard time trying to excite. If you have touring pretentions then it & the Versys must be high on the list.
I will admit that if I'd not tried the STriple I'd have bought a Versys, which does lots of things well and is very planted whilst having a flexible & surprisingly gutsy engine. (The Tiger 800 wasn't launched when I bought).