Yes, power is FUN! But windscreens really only affect things at speeds over 50 mph. But sure nice in freezing temps. Good trade off? I run no screen on my DR but only ridden in Snow a few times. I like clean air, no buffeting.
Totally agree about the Tiger 800. The XC800 Tiger is great bike to ride (I own a 1050 Tiger) but WAY too heavy for a true Adventure bike ridden off road. Triumph can do much better.

I have not heard about the 1050 KTM, what are the rumors? :confused1:
KTM are THE BEST at making truly light weight bikes. I was hoping they would a make a very light weight 650 to 750 V-Twin or parallel twin to compliment the current 1190 range.

I just don't need 100 HP on my travel bike, in fact I get along fine with the 37 HP on my old DR! FAST bikes are FUN riding around home or doing dual sport rides, but on the road, out of country on serious trip, I've got more important things to think about than pulling wheelies ... and there is no one to race 5000 miles from home.

I'm most impressed by the KTM 690. (ridden it a couple times, including the early '07 690 pictured in above pic) Check out the weight. It's SO LIGHT! Around 20 to 30 lbs. lighter than the DR650 ... with nearly double the HP and same fuel economy. But it's over $10,000.

Problem with the 690 is it needs custom set up to be a good travel bike and carry luggage. And the reliability has been far from perfect. Lots of stupid issues on their singles, things the Japanese solved 30 years ago. KTM still have A LONG way to go, IMHO. The twins are much better, and proven reliable these days. (mostly)

If not doing serious off road I'd jump for the big KTM. Such fun bikes to ride day to day. My favorite of all of them so far is the old KTM 950SE. (2004 to 2007?) Would you believe that bike is only 30 or 40lbs. heavier than my DR650? Yet it's got most all the luxuries of a big bike. Only issue with SE are the Carbs and poor fuel economy (average 38 MPG).

Also, it's very TALL, too tall for me! Hopefully KTM will come out with a "modern" version of the SE. THAT would be a bike to wait for!

But most KTM Twins start around $18K, go sharply UP from there. Out of my budget ... and NOT expendable like my DR650 is. If the DR dies, is crashed, stolen or is set fire to ... I can walk away no regrets. I'll buy another.
Hard to do on a close to $20K KTM.
I'd not want to carry this sort of stuff. Better to hook up with a couple STRONG riding partners!