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Hi there and welcome
I've got the 800. The 1000 wasn't available when I got mine so I didn't get a choice. I really like mine. I stepped down in power from a Triumph Sprint RS 955i but rarely miss the brute power. The little 800 is more subtle but also more usable. The handling is really sweet and the looks are great. It was the looks that got me hooked - I bought mine without even test riding it. The 800 has a slipper clutch, and is also hydraulically assisted. Not too sure what the difference is as I have not ridden other Monsters, but judging by some of the other threads on here, the clutch is much lighter than the others in the range, therefore better for around town.
If I have any niggles it is the front brakes. I think that they could be little sharper/effective. But give them a firm tug and they pull you up in a controllable manner. The other niggle is lack of adjustment to the front forks as they are a little soft for my liking. However if you team up the shonky front brake with soft damped shock it all works surpisingly well together, its a well balanced package. Stronger brakes would overwhelm the forks I think. In time I will try harder pads, and may get the forks reworked.
From a purely financial point of view, the 1000cc is the bike to buy. That little extra cash gets you more money's worth of bits: better brakes, adjustable forks, and more oomph. I've already spent the price difference on my S2r giving it more poke, and it is still less powerful than the 1000. But no slipper clutch on the 1000 though. If I was buying again and had the choice of both bikes, and the 1000 was available in yellow, then I would buy the 1000. But the 1000 isn't available in yellow so would still buy the 800. I told you is was all about the looks for me!
In short I really like the bike and don't think you will go far wrong with one. I prefer the riding position to my wife's Hornet 600, and she is coming round to my way of thinking too.
Good luck whichever way you swing.
Paul
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