Advice needed F6B or Valk

[Robert]

I am considering the new Valk, with the prices low and its a cool looking bike I am getting the desire to get one. But I wanted to ask opinion of those that made the choice already.
 
Here is the problem

 The F6B has pretty much everything that would be needed to just drive. It already has bags, windshield and creature comforts, but I dont want a Goldwing.

 The Valk has no bags no windshield no good seat and you would have to customize at a pretty good cost. I would estimate to the tune of 4k bags are 2k seat 500.00 windshield 400.00 and of course the other costs you dont see till you ride one.
 
So with this in mind I also wonder about handling between the 2 I know the Valk is slightly better but you guys have real world experience with them. Just wanted to hear what you guys have to say pros cons. Thanks.

[hubcapsc]

If you don't have a problem with the wrap-around dashboard, fairing and unitized rear-end
of the F6B, it should be a no brainer.

If that stuff is a deal breaker for you, go with the Valkyrie... you hit the nail on the head
with the bag/shield/seat costs, but if you get one of those $11,000 Valkyries, you'd
still break even... and more people than just me think the Valkyrie
handlebars suck... and they are hard to change.



...nah...



 

-Mike

[mrtappan]

The only reason I personally bought a Valkyrie was I hate the giant plastic F6B/Goldwing front fairing and dash.  I like the bike from the seat back but can't stand the look of the dash. 

The Valkyrie has a less than desirable seat, expensive saddlebags, and a ugly handlebar mount windshield but those problems are fixable.  There was nothing I could do about the dash.......

I'd buy an F6B if you like it cosmetically or I'd buy a Valkyrie if you don't mind paying $2000 for saddlebags.  They're effectively the same bike performance/mechanically.

[hungryeye]

I prolly would have bought the B if the seat wasn't so wide, I am 5'11" with 30ish" inseam. The seat height is low but the width makes touch down similar to a tall bike, The Hubcapsc pics show that, he is almost standing to get his feet down. It is also more top heavy than the Valk.

The bars are good for me but you must realize if using the Honda windshield the bars have to stay in the position that you bought it, there are witness marks on the bars and clamp, they must line up to install the windscreen. The windscreen is also very functional for me, it feels much better than traditional cruiser windscreens, partly because of the radiators on each side, I don't care how it looks, function is more important to me.

I have about 14k give or take a hunerd including tax and title, oem bags, windscreen, rear rack, center stand, aux light harness, aftermarket led cowl riding lights, 12v acc plugin, 55 litre top box. Go Cruise throttle lock. I don't know how much a B is but in my weakened aging state the Valk feels custom built for me, not to mention it is a Goldwing, the finest motorcycle ever built.

[_Sheffjs_]

I have twisted a newer (very nice) wing and I have not had the chance on a B. I love the wing however I felt cramped. Also I am not a world traveler; I enjoy local runs 120 – 200 miles. Maybe one day soon I will leave the backyard.   I am 5”11 and differ on the handle bars and stock seat than some here. I LOVE IT!! I am one that is happy with the Valk as it sets and feels it is the best motorcycle I have ever owned in my 40 years of metrics and the only riding that tops it would be dirt and the smell of two stroke oil/gas. I am getting a tad old for that and we have nowhere to ride that does not have sand.  I love the new valk.  I still have one of my Valk Interstates that is for sale. Bags and Shield can be added.  Tell us what your pros and cons are and what is important to you with this decision.       

[bscrive]

I looked at the F6B for about 30 seconds.  I did not like the front end or the back end, and the seat looked like a sofa.  

When I saw the Valkyrie I loved it right off.  Then I took it for a test drive.  I hated the seat, sitting position, and it was in dire need of a windshield.  

I was then convinced that I wanted the CTX1300.  I checked one out at my dealer, and I couldn't get over how cheap the fairing and bags were.  I looked at the hp and decided to re-look at the Valkyrie.  I decided that I NEEDED the power.  

I came to the conclusion that I can get the Corbin bags and a seat, and the Valk would look way better than the poor man's Goldwing (aka F6B).  

I bought the Valkyrie, but after driving the bike a couple of good rides.  I decided that the handlebars really sucked, and my right elbow hurt like a bugger, because of the angle of the grips.  I then went on a quest to find the perfect set of bars for me.  My quest was in vain, though.  I looked at almost every bar out there and none gave me the look and comfort that I wanted using my existing risers.  I bought a set of risers, but they hit the tank when I turned the bars.  

I then decided to make my own bars.  I bought some 1"x 1/8" tube, and brought it to a metal shop, near me, to get the bar curved.  I brought it home, and made up a jig for the bars.  I cut the steel and welded the bars up.  16" monkey bars with a 14" reach.  I put them on my bike to test then, and they felt great.  I sent them for powder coating, and they wait in my basement until I get the throttle cables from Motion Pro (Thanks again Hubcapsc).  I already have the clutch and brake lines.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,77811.0.html

I will get the Corbin bags this winter as well as a Russell Daylong seat.  This will make the new Valkyrie the ultimate cruiser for me.  

[_Sheffjs_]

I will get the Corbin bags this winter as well as a Russell Daylong seat.  This will make the new Valkyrie the ultimate cruiser for me.  

Russell does have an option? is there a pic? 

[hubcapsc]

I will get the Corbin bags this winter as well as a Russell Daylong seat.  This will make the new Valkyrie the ultimate cruiser for me.  

Russell does have an option? is there a pic? 

I think Russell will make a seat for a Schwinn Sting Ray if you send them a seat pan and $900...

-Mike "and it would be comfortable for long distance, too  "

[bscrive]

I will get the Corbin bags this winter as well as a Russell Daylong seat.  This will make the new Valkyrie the ultimate cruiser for me.  

Russell does have an option? is there a pic?  

They don't have any pictures on a new valk that I know of, but I imagine it will look very similar to the seat on a standard or tourer.

When I emailed them they said it would be $600 for front and back seats, and I would still be able to use my Utopia backrest.

[_Sheffjs_]

I will get the Corbin bags this winter as well as a Russell Daylong seat.  This will make the new Valkyrie the ultimate cruiser for me.  

Please let us know when you do the seat, how you like it and pics.

[hungryeye]

I came to the conclusion that I can get the Corbin bags and a seat, and the Valk would look way better than the poor man's Goldwing (aka F6B).  



Does this mean the C is a poor mans B? 

[dans2014]

  I bought the Valk, had the dealer throw in the tall Honda windshield, Installed the rear seat eliminator kit and bought soft saddlebags for it. The B is really nice if your going to travel a lot. If not, buy the C

[bradrcfii]

I initally looked at the F6b.  I had a glodwing and felt like I was driving a car.  Bought the Valkyrie, added bags and a winshield and I am very happy.  The seat on the F6b did not fit me as well.  Seems a little wide.

[Robert]

Went to the Honda dealer in Miami for a test ride on the Valk and all I can say is wow. As most have said the handling and power are both better. The rear wheel with light wetness on the road broke loose under moderate acceleration and was going somewhat sideways for a second or two. Turning is also different doing figure 8's the front of the bike seemed really close to the ground. My feet are firmly on the ground while standing up on the bike, while I have to stand on my toes to keep the current Valk upright.  Handling is going to take some getting used to. It's almost like a sport bike rather than a cruiser. The test I was on was with a 15 and it was a light metal flake red very nice looking. Two other things that impressed me or at least made me feel more comfortable on this bike than mine was the wind buffeting is gone due to much better air flow or aero dynamics around the driver. I did not feel like I was going to get blown off the bike at 60 without a windshield and the buffeting was gone, I was also cooler without the radiator air on me. Without a windshield it felt ok almost to the point of it being something I may occasionally do without. Starting was great the dash is great the sound great I would not do anything except bags and a windshield. All in all I will probably wind up with one but I don't know if I can part with my current Valk just yet. Thanks to all that replied, I did look at the F6B and its just not for me although a great looking bike. I too felt like others here that the F6B is too close to the wing and I agree its like driving my living room couch. Also with the turning the Valk seems like a little sport bike while the F6 with the fairing gives you a different feel.  The dealer was trying to push me into the F6B it was used had 300 miles on it and the price was pretty good. To me it seemed this bike answered every objection I had about my current Valk. Now can I part with all the chrome and work that I did on my current Valk?

 The C is definitely not the poor mans F6B either with the price of the Corbin bags, the seat and windshield its almost a wash. That was one of the reasons I was debating between the 2. The price is less not that much less. 

I am going to get a new seat but my seat on my current Valk is custom made out of a Corbin seat pan and I will probably have the seat custom made again.

[thork86]

Went to the Honda dealer in Miami for a test ride on the Valk and all I can say is wow. As most have said the handling and power are both better. The rear wheel with light wetness on the road broke loose under moderate acceleration and was going somewhat sideways for a second or two. Turning is also different doing figure 8's the front of the bike seemed really close to the ground. My feet are firmly on the ground while standing up on the bike, while I have to stand on my toes to keep the current Valk upright.  Handling is going to take some getting used to. It's almost like a sport bike rather than a cruiser. The test I was on was with a 15 and it was a light metal flake red very nice looking. Two other things that impressed me or at least made me feel more comfortable on this bike than mine was the wind buffeting is gone due to much better air flow or aero dynamics around the driver. I did not feel like I was going to get blown off the bike at 60 without a windshield and the buffeting was gone, I was also cooler without the radiator air on me. Without a windshield it felt ok almost to the point of it being something I may occasionally do without. Starting was great the dash is great the sound great I would not do anything except bags and a windshield. All in all I will probably wind up with one but I don't know if I can part with my current Valk just yet. Thanks to all that replied, I did look at the F6B and its just not for me although a great looking bike. I too felt like others here that the F6B is too close to the wing and I agree its like driving my living room couch. Also with the turning the Valk seems like a little sport bike while the F6 with the fairing gives you a different feel.  The dealer was trying to push me into the F6B it was used had 300 miles on it and the price was pretty good. To me it seemed this bike answered every objection I had about my current Valk. Now can I part with all the chrome and work that I did on my current Valk?

 The C is definitely not the poor mans F6B either with the price of the Corbin bags, the seat and windshield its almost a wash. That was one of the reasons I was debating between the 2. The price is less not that much less. 

I am going to get a new seat but my seat on my current Valk is custom made out of a Corbin seat pan and I will probably have the seat custom made again.

Thanks for your report, some similar observations as I made when shopping around.

You just don't know until you testride a bike for yourself 

[mrtappan]

I was really excited when the F6B came out.  I had been riding that 1900 Yamaha Roadliner for years and was looking for something new.  I thought "finally a Goldwing designed for one person."  I never was a fan of the cosmetics of the 1800 series Goldwings (dash, front end, etc.) from the driver's view and for whatever reason I assumed the F6B would be different.  I went down to look at one as soon as they came in to the local shop.  After sitting on it is when it really sunk in.... it's just a Goldwing without a trunk.

So it really is worth seeing, riding, and kicking around the bikes in person.  In reality they're both good bikes.  You just have decide which is more your style.

[Robert]

Well put in an order for a red 14 Valk and the tall windshield  and it should be in by next week maybe this Friday. So I officially joined the Goldwing Valk club. The 15 Valk was 2k more just for paint, meaning the 14 and the 15 are the same bike except for the color of the paint, so I said forget it I can live with the paint on the 14 just fine. I could get the skins painted for that  So now for awhile at least I will own 2 bikes we will see how I feel about the current Valk and what I will do with it. But I can tell you every time I look at it I just shake my head at all the things I have done to it. I will more than likely know the pain that others have felt in parting with their beloved Valks. But for now I will have both. For me to make the bike ride able full time I need the bags so next is an order to Corbin. I really didn't think I would do this but it kind of feels like when I bought my current Valk. Got a pretty good price on the bike and its a fairly local dealer. I was going to order it off ebay but the difference in price was not that much to warrant the trip.