Ok...I've been looking for the "RIGHT" bike for over a year now. April 30 2002, I purchased a new 2001 LC1500. Having never ridden a motorcyle before, I wanted to make sure that I purchased a bike that I could handle easily and at the same time, I wanted one that I would not outgrow. In the last two days (I just got the MP - Motorcycle learner's permit), I have put about 250 miles on the bike. Before venturing out on the street, just road up and down the driveway and around the house. Then, over the last 2 days, went out to the neighborhood subdivisions to make sure I could turn and to just get a feel for the bike. It didn't take long to come up to speed after some practice and now 250+ miles in two days! At 6' 1" and about 220 lbs, I'm not a huge guy, but noticed that with the exception of the Harley Heritage Softail and Road King, no other bike seemed to fit. In other words, the LC fit like a glove when compared to all of the Kawis, Yamahas, etc. I must say after riding the bike for a few days, that I just can't find anything wrong with it and I can be a nitpicker! The LC handles great and has all the power than any sane person could want. It even sounds good and it's not close to being broken in. The brakes work great and the bike is so solid and tracks so good - well, when I ride, I just can't wipe the smile off of my face. What is really astounding is that the bike doesn't seem to get good reviews in the press. I did visit the LC1500 riders forum - http://www.delphiforums.com and read and asked questions for over a year. It seems like pretty much every one loved the bike... several of the guys on the forum have more than one bike in addition to their LC and they still like the LC (includes Harleys too). It's a great place to get honest input and facts without bias... the guys will take time to answer your questions and will not put down other bikes and their owners. A quick sidebar: recently, I read the big cruiser review in Motorcyle Tour and Cruiser Magazine. Their in-house riders/reviewers, according the what was stated in the review made fun in the past of the LC as being big and fat...lots of jokes about that and now they don't like the Retro VLX. It reminds me of when Honda cars were first being reviewed in the late 70's - the car was so politically correct that unless the car being reviewed was as efficient as a Honda, it was panned. Later I found out that reviewers in Car and Driver were compensated for their reviews by the Manufacturers. In other words, there was no real objectivity although they pretended to be unbiased. At least American Iron Magazine in their cover by-line states that the magzine is for those who love Harleys. I'm thinking that Motorcyle Tour and Cruiser Cruiser and now Road Bike magazine have a bias as they love Kawasakis - especially the Mean Streak. In case anyone wants to give these guys (and a couple of female editors), perhaps both of these magazines would be better received if they had a by-line on their covers.... maybe something like this "a magazine for people who love cruisers and publishers who prefer Kawasakis over any other brand." So they like the Mean Streak. If you have ever sat on one and looked at the design, you can't help but wonder how comfortable riding one would be - and try to imagine where you would store your toothbrush? I have to wonder why it is included in the reviews with cruiser bikes. That is the real joke. Back to the LC, if you want a very dependable bike: it has shaft drive and other niceties that virtually eliminate maintenance. And if you want a bike that is comfortable, the LC is definitely worth a first and second look. I remember one reviewer and a more unbiased magazine stated that the LC is the thinking man's Harley. Well, it has what I wanted and at a price that cannot be believed when you comparison shop with American made bike brands. I hesitate to brag too strongly about the bike as right now, it is perhaps more of a well-kept secret than anything else. If the word gets out and demand spikes, so may the prices. At any rate, one sit and then one ride and I was convinced that this bike was the one for me. In a nutshell screw the magazine reviewers who average 5'10" and go with your gut feeling and you won't go wrong. Happy riding.
Reliability
Quality
Performance
Comfort
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