Personally I like a high geared bike. It's more restful at speed and in the real world you don't lose out on acceleration much. My Commando is geared up with a 23 tooth front sprocket which gives about 75-80 at 4000 revs and my old Guzzi has seen 60 in first when I bungled it joining a dual carriageway and didn't dare to hesitate changing up! So I'm used to high first gears and the Vincent to me was just another skill to acquire. I suppose it depends on experience, if you've only ever ridden modern bikes, the old high-geared sports machine idea takes a bit of getting used to.