Faults:

It caught fire and burned to the ground. To be honest, I had smelled gasoline when it was parked. If you buy one, replace all fuel lines and rebuild the vacuum petcock as they tend to leak.

General Comments:

I rode a friends Pacific Coast and became enamored with it. It was stable and powerful enough for 2 up riding, but handled better than my previous Goldwing. Other reviews state that raising the handlebars and adding seat cushions improve long rides and I would agree with this. Mick O highway pegs also make trips more comfortable.

I have since bought a replacement PC800 and have put about 28,000 miles on it. I am double darkside with a battleax on front and a Goodrich 155-80-15 on back.

Faults:

Voltage regulator. I also replaced the stator. This is not unusual for 1989 models.

Universal joint in driveshaft.

Turn signal switch.

General Comments:

The PC800 has four things I don't like, two of which I addressed. There is no clock, the fuel tank is only 4.2 gallons, it's geared too low, and the fork springs are too soft. I swapped a final drive from a VT1100. It was cheap and easy and the gearing is now about 10% taller. I installed a Works Performance kit (not made for years) that greatly improved the awful fork springs and also eliminated the steering wobble.

The PC runs tires that are an unusual size, so the options are limited. I run a Michelin Commander 140/90-15 on the rear. It's pricey, but it lasts 18,000 miles.

The PC800 is a purpose-built bike, and you aren't going to make it into something it's not without spending a lot of money. You can't make it a fire-breather or a canyon-carver, though it handles better than you think IF the soft springing is addressed.

Instead, it's a utilitarian machine that isn't great at anything, but pretty good at everything. The power and the braking are adequate. It's quiet, smooth, and economical. It requires very little maintenance and it's easy to clean. It has self-cancelling turn signals. The trunk is amazingly useful.

There's a reason I still own my PC800 after 22 years.

Faults:

Clutch fluid leak from master cylinder at banjo bolt.

Starter would not work after shutting down by engaging side stand (fixed with new battery).

Occasional backfire, likely due to dirty carburetor.

Broken tabs on ABS bodywork.

General Comments:

I became intrigued about the PC 800 by reading reviews from rabid owners of this cult bike. Although I rode regularly many years ago, my most recent experience was on a Vespa 200 GT. I became addicted to its cargo carrying ability, and was looking for a motorcycle that excelled in that department. The PC is the hands down champion.

I was looking for a late model with the conventional sport fender in front rather than the Star Wars spats, which I don't like. I found a '98 about 100 miles away and purchased it without a test ride because the owner was confidence inspiring and I was intimidated by the bike's heft.

That turned out to be no problem, as the PC feels well balanced and nimble at anything above a walk. It can be dropped at a stop light if your feet aren't well planted; after all, it's over 600 lbs., wet, but it's fairly easy to "walk it back up" if you have learned the proper technique.

The engineering is pretty faultless. This bike is as easy to live with as a Honda Civic, and with the huge trunk, just as useful. When I park it at my destination, it swallows my jacket and full face helmet, and when I shut the lid and walk off in my "civvies", no one knows I came on a bike.

It will cruise at 75 nicely on the highway, but there are more comfortable bikes for that, with longer wheelbases, lower revs and room to stretch out. Two lanes are its forte, and it's smooth as silk on the straights, and loves corners because much of its weight is carried low. 52-57 hp is the range of figures I have found, but, really, it's got plenty for the sport-touring rider who normally goes solo. I fill mine up every 180 miles. If I break down and clean the carb, it may do better, as well as lose the occasional backfire, but it's very smooth even now.

I have thought about moving up to a Honda ST1100, but my research suggests it will be at the penalty of less secure handling on the twisties. Plus, I would miss that trunk SO much.

It needs a good battery to overcome the relatively weak charging system, and I went nuts with an Odyssey with 300 cranking amps. It works great and starts every time and easily. I don't have any accessories on mine, but if you do, you need to be sure you have an upgraded rectifier.

Plus, you can't beat the value. Clean machines are just about at the bottom of the pricing structure... why pay 6 grand for a Deauville when you can get a Pacific Coast for less than $2500?

In sum, this is a great bike. It does what bikes were designed to do, get you and lots of stuff there without fuss and in a pleasurable manner, unconcerned with its own machismo. You can't ride one without liking it.