"Can someone with decent capabilities, low experience, but dedication and respect for the plane fly a Legacy safely given adequate transition training?"

Absolutely!

This is not a hard or difficult plane to fly. It's an absolute joy. The thing with these planes is that you will need to keep your speed up and be sensible. They fly different than what you would rent. a 1500 pattern works better and I keep my speed up to 120 KIAS until on final and slow to 100. Not hard to do, just different. Know and respect the wing design. Definitely get a check-out with one of the HPAT guys or through Lancair and you'll be fine. After 10 hours you'll be comfortable on your own. After 40 and it will be your own. I agree about the aerobatics. I have a lot of time in a Pitts S2B and that is much more satisfying if aerobatics is your mission, but for speed efficiency and all around "stick-feel", a Lancair is hard to beat.

I think the Legacy is the best thing around. I flew mine last week from San Jose, CA to Redmond, OR with a total flight time of 1 hour, 45 minutes at 2450 RPM, 120 RoP burning 15.1 GPH.

Don't be discouraged, Lancairs are the best!
Don Barnes