I received my 2002 VL 1500 with all the extras (lights, saddle bags, windscreen, etc.) about 3 weeks ago and I have completed 2K since then. This is the best bike I have owned (past bikes have included a couple of Hondas, Yamahas and another Syzuki). Although it is a big bike it is extremely easy to drive and is very stable. The improvements made on the 2002 model seem to have overcome some of the critisms that this bike had in the past with its brakes. So far the gas milage has been about 5.5 litres/100 Km which give the bike a useful range of about 220 Km before starting to look for a gas station. I would highly recommend this bike but it might be a bit too much as a first bike.