We have had possession of the Legend for a while now, and after having multiple riders take it through its paces, we must say that this is one well-thought-out and -executed motorcycle. Right from the start, the designers of the Legend did an excellent job of combining both form and function, creating a motorcycle that is not only fun and easy to ride but looks great doing it. By scaling back on the height of the frame and not pushing the limits of the rear tire to 280mm (or larger), the combination of frame geometry, flexibility, suspension, power, and tire contact patch all add up to a great-riding motorcycle.
We always have different-sized riders on our test bikes, and quite often there is a large disparity in the way a particular bike fits various sizes of riders. While this is true with the Legend, most of us felt comfortable on the bike. The new handlebars go a long way in adding to the bike's comfort; instead of having to lean forward to reach the bars, they come back nicely, allowing for a natural seating position that takes a lot of strain off the rider's lower back.
Power from the S&S motor is very predictable. The powerband is strong and wide, affording the rider the ability to quickly accelerate over a broad rpm range. At times when cruising at a particular rpm for an extended period, the engine exhibited a slight amount of hesitation as the throttle was wacked open hard. The solid-mount motor ran smooth and did not transmit any nasty vibrations into the frame at any of the rpm ranges in which we operated the bike. Based on the power produced by the S&S mill, AIH's designers did a good job matching the braking system to the stopping demands of the bike. The system is very predictable and smooth, although application of too much front brake can cause the narrow tire to lock.
Having the ability to drop the transmission into an overdrive (.86:1-ratio) Sixth gear was welcome as we ran the bike down the freeway in the 75-80-mph range. A simple gear change at that speed allows for an even smoother, quieter ride as the rpm drop somewhere in the 300-rpm range. Due to the fact that the tachometer is digital, there are only three divisions for each 1,000 rpm-the reason for our ballpark figure. This reduction in engine speed is welcome, as it not only quiets the motor but reduces wear and tear on its internals as well.
Keeping tabs on the bike is a snap, thanks to AIH's digital information center. Everything you need is right there between the handlebars. At a glance you can check on speed, rpm, odometer, trip meter, hi/low beam, turn signals, and Neutral. The supplied information is almost as easy to read in the sunlight as it is in darkness. We would like to see the addition of multiple trip meters, which should be easy to add with the advances in today's electronics.
When you consider that the Legend has a base MSRP of $30,195 and is backed by a 98-dealer network that will take care of the bike under warranty for 24 months and unlimited miles from the date of purchase, we feel that the Legend is a very good value.