I have a '95 850 and I love it, but mine is the exception. I've had the 240 series and the 850 is so much better. But..... there are so many owners out there that have 850 problems. It is much harder to work on than the 240. It costs a lot when things go wrong (I blew my 850 rear main seal a few months ago, $900 for dealer to fix, but that has been my only horror story; I had many horror stories with my 240s).

My recommendation: get a 940, like a 94 or 95. I enojoy the 945T that I have (I'm the 3rd owner). It's similar enough to the 240 that you'll be familiar with the motor much more. It rides very nicely. I've had mine almost 5 years and it hasn't seen the shop, knock on wood.
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'94 945t; '95 854 base