Ok, bought a F6b

[Bamaburt62]

Left memphis and flew to Sacramento Monday to buy and ride back a slightly used and tricked out F6b.  Now don't get me wrong I love my valk but this thing takes long cruising to a new level.  Put 800 miles Tuesday and about 750 today.  This bike is the smoothest bike I've ever been on.  I hate to say this but it blows the valk away in most every category except it's handing ability and it's pretty close in that respect.  I was going to keep the valk but am now having second thoughts.  Will take any reasons to keep both, but I do have a Harley for sale!! Lol

[_Sheffjs_]

Questions:
What seat?
What Windshield?
  Came on the bike. 

What seat is on the 1800 Valk?

[Dragunslayer]

Left memphis and flew to Sacramento Monday to buy and ride back a slightly used and tricked out F6b.  Now don't get me wrong I love my valk but this thing takes long cruising to a new level.  Put 800 miles Tuesday and about 750 today.  This bike is the smoothest bike I've ever been on.  I hate to say this but it blows the valk away in most every category except it's handing ability and it's pretty close in that respect.  I was going to keep the valk but am now having second thoughts.  Will take any reasons to keep both, but I do have a Harley for sale!! Lol

My 08 Goldwing was smoother than my Valkyrie and handled as good if not better since I had 4k in the suspension.

Comfort wise the Valkyrie is my pic, but I have a Corbin, drivers backrest and the highway pegs are within reach without having to be on top of my allowing me to fully extend my legs.

My biggest complaint is the windshield like most. Honestly I do not even think it is the windshield after this weekends ride. I believe the buffeting that people are experiencing actually comes from below the shield between the radiator pods and the headlight. While riding I placed a hand in that area and there was a very strong pulse of air coming from both sides.

The big question is how to correct the issue and still be able to turn the bike.

[Jack B]

I also planed on keeping my Valkyrie but I wasn't riding.
Like you said the F6B does very thing better.
It is now gone
The only reason to keep the Valk is,  it is so cool looking!

[dinosnake]

As several other owners have said around here, consider the Valkyrie the "Goldwing Sport".  It weighs almost 100lbs less than the F6B and the 19" front wheel speeds handling.  But, like any other bike that goes more "sport" than original, you also lose a bit: some comfort, wind protection and smoothness.

It is up to the rider to decide what tradeoffs are best for your unique situation.  F6B's comfort (as I've easily admitted before), best for two-up touring, or the Valkyrie's enhanced sportiness.  I wanted an F6B but glad I bought a Valkyrie, the shorter overall length and lighter weight are sure important as I muscle the bike into the elevator and tight hallway when I put it away to park.  If I still lived in wide-open spaces, with easy highway access, I'd might be owning that F6B right now.

[JamminJohn1]

Wow,you have to put your bike in an elevator. What a drag.
Big city living. No thanks.

                JJ

[Verismo]

Left memphis and flew to Sacramento Monday to buy and ride back a slightly used and tricked out F6b.  Now don't get me wrong I love my valk but this thing takes long cruising to a new level.  Put 800 miles Tuesday and about 750 today.  This bike is the smoothest bike I've ever been on.  I hate to say this but it blows the valk away in most every category except it's handing ability and it's pretty close in that respect.  I was going to keep the valk but am now having second thoughts.  Will take any reasons to keep both, but I do have a Harley for sale!! Lol

My 08 Goldwing was smoother than my Valkyrie and handled as good if not better since I had 4k in the suspension.

Comfort wise the Valkyrie is my pic, but I have a Corbin, drivers backrest and the highway pegs are within reach without having to be on top of my allowing me to fully extend my legs.

My biggest complaint is the windshield like most. Honestly I do not even think it is the windshield after this weekends ride. I believe the buffeting that people are experiencing actually comes from below the shield between the radiator pods and the headlight. While riding I placed a hand in that area and there was a very strong pulse of air coming from both sides.

The big question is how to correct the issue and still be able to turn the bike.

Hey Dragunslayer, Madstad brackets 100% solved my buffeting problem.  You can use them with the stock shield or have Madstad make you a custom.  I did both and am very happy with the results.  I recently went on a 600 mile two day trip and had zero buffeting or bugs.  My biggest problem is still the handlebar distance and angle.

[Adirondack Bill]

The F6b is ok if you are into "Baggers". Personally, I don't like all that extra "Clutter" on a bike- Bags, windshield, ect. I understand, if you are planning to take a long ride- overnights- ect., hard bags are fine. But I am just not ready for that type of look yet.

[Dragunslayer]

Left memphis and flew to Sacramento Monday to buy and ride back a slightly used and tricked out F6b.  Now don't get me wrong I love my valk but this thing takes long cruising to a new level.  Put 800 miles Tuesday and about 750 today.  This bike is the smoothest bike I've ever been on.  I hate to say this but it blows the valk away in most every category except it's handing ability and it's pretty close in that respect.  I was going to keep the valk but am now having second thoughts.  Will take any reasons to keep both, but I do have a Harley for sale!! Lol

My 08 Goldwing was smoother than my Valkyrie and handled as good if not better since I had 4k in the suspension.

Comfort wise the Valkyrie is my pic, but I have a Corbin, drivers backrest and the highway pegs are within reach without having to be on top of my allowing me to fully extend my legs.

My biggest complaint is the windshield like most. Honestly I do not even think it is the windshield after this weekends ride. I believe the buffeting that people are experiencing actually comes from below the shield between the radiator pods and the headlight. While riding I placed a hand in that area and there was a very strong pulse of air coming from both sides.

The big question is how to correct the issue and still be able to turn the bike.

Hey Dragunslayer, Madstad brackets 100% solved my buffeting problem.  You can use them with the stock shield or have Madstad make you a custom.  I did both and am very happy with the results.  I recently went on a 600 mile two day trip and had zero buffeting or bugs.  My biggest problem is still the handlebar distance and angle.

So I dod not see where they list anything for the GL1800 Valkyrie???

[Robert]

Almost bought an F6B before the Valk came out and couldn't see owning a Goldwing. It is smoother and maybe comfort is subjective because I wouldn't buy a Cadillac and dont like that type of ride it has. I am not old enough yet to consider the smoothness of the bike the selling point since my Valk is smooth yet retains some road feel. The command console is another thing that I didn't like since it doesn't allow you to see down at the road or squeeze into tight spots since its wider, less is more to me in this area.

  The price of the Wing and the F6B was also a consideration, paying that much for the F6B without the conveniences of the wing I might as well buy a wing. There are a lot of good used wings out there with low mileage so paying the full price of the F6B without the accessories didn't make sense to me. Buy a wing remove the trunk and modify the back a bit and you have the F6B with more of the wing accessories. With all that said the Valk has bigger brakes less weight more rake on the fork a 100 lbs less than the F6B and I like the looks better. I also didn't want a bike that looks like all the rest.

Better than or beats the Valk, NO, I dont think so, a nice bike, yes. 

[larue]

The F6b is ok if you are into "Baggers". Personally, I don't like all that extra "Clutter" on a bike- Bags, windshield, ect. I understand, if you are planning to take a long ride- overnights- ect., hard bags are fine. But I am just not ready for that type of look yet.

You must be in your 20's

[dinosnake]

The F6b is ok if you are into "Baggers". Personally, I don't like all that extra "Clutter" on a bike- Bags, windshield, ect. I understand, if you are planning to take a long ride- overnights- ect., hard bags are fine. But I am just not ready for that type of look yet.

For me the whole idea of riding the average American way, barely 2500 miles a year, so utterly and completely misses / defeats / makes a joke out of the point of riding that I don't know why they pretend to call themselves "bikers" to their friends.  If I'm not doing at least 7,000+ miles a year I'm royally pissed, and when I did 13,000 miles this year I was still pissed that I couldn't / didn't do more.

So, for that, you need to carry stuff.  Even if you aren't planning to stay anywhere overnight, you need to carry an extra layer in case the sun goes down and you're not home, a change of undies just in case you do stay overnight because you just decided to wander so far out and not go home, tire patch kit, maybe some cleaning supplies, maybe some raingear, etc etc.  And of course when you do stay overnight then you'll need all that and a bit more, too.

If you aren't baggin'...you aren't going anywhere!   

[Verismo]

Left memphis and flew to Sacramento Monday to buy and ride back a slightly used and tricked out F6b.  Now don't get me wrong I love my valk but this thing takes long cruising to a new level.  Put 800 miles Tuesday and about 750 today.  This bike is the smoothest bike I've ever been on.  I hate to say this but it blows the valk away in most every category except it's handing ability and it's pretty close in that respect.  I was going to keep the valk but am now having second thoughts.  Will take any reasons to keep both, but I do have a Harley for sale!! Lol

My 08 Goldwing was smoother than my Valkyrie and handled as good if not better since I had 4k in the suspension.

Comfort wise the Valkyrie is my pic, but I have a Corbin, drivers backrest and the highway pegs are within reach without having to be on top of my allowing me to fully extend my legs.

My biggest complaint is the windshield like most. Honestly I do not even think it is the windshield after this weekends ride. I believe the buffeting that people are experiencing actually comes from below the shield between the radiator pods and the headlight. While riding I placed a hand in that area and there was a very strong pulse of air coming from both sides.

The big question is how to correct the issue and still be able to turn the bike.

Hey Dragunslayer, Madstad brackets 100% solved my buffeting problem.  You can use them with the stock shield or have Madstad make you a custom.  I did both and am very happy with the results.  I recently went on a 600 mile two day trip and had zero buffeting or bugs.  My biggest problem is still the handlebar distance and angle.

So I dod not see where they list anything for the GL1800 Valkyrie???

Mine was the very first one they did. I worked with a really helpful guy there named Cody.  I'm at work right now but I'll email him tonight and see if I can get a parts number for the brackets.  If you want them to make you a shield, you'll need to email them with your ideas for shape and dimensions.

[bscrive]

The windshield is pretty much the last thing I need to make my bike perfect for me.  Unless I think of something else. 
I decided that I am going to get a tinted 33" windshield for a wing and make my own shield.  The windshield I have now has a great shape to it and I will use that as a template.  I will just make the new windshield 2" wider on the top and sides.  Hopefully that will be good.  Unfortunately, I will have to wait until spring to try it. 

[Robert]

So, for that, you need to carry stuff.  Even if you aren't planning to stay anywhere overnight, you need to carry an extra layer in case the sun goes down and you're not home, a change of undies just in case you do stay overnight because you just decided to wander so far out and not go home, tire patch kit, maybe some cleaning supplies, maybe some raingear, etc etc.  And of course when you do stay overnight then you'll need all that and a bit more, too.

If you aren't baggin'...you aren't going anywhere!  

I agree with this since without bags the bike almost becomes useless. When I go to the store or when I go out to eat or when I go to pick up take outs without bags its useless. I dont want the leather or ones that dont seal either since when rain comes its nice to have a place for the phone or other things that dont like water. When I go to the gym in the am without bags there is no place for my wallet or phone or anything I want to carry. When the wife rides with me or we go out to eat she has to have a place for her bag. On my valk I think the bags actually help make the look of the bike also, since I like the lines with the bags. Windshield, bags, seat, lights, tires and a full tank of gas and fresh oil and I can go anywhere my heart wants go. Maybe we need to rename bagger since it sounds so, well, Harley. 





Almost forgot a riding place for those who might come along also.

[texrider]

Congrats on the f6b, it would be a good move from a valk.
As far as windscreens go, I just replaced my std boulevard flyscreen with Gustafssons dark tinted 10" which is double height of stock. Works like a dream for me at 6' with full helmet. Takes pressure off torso, and keeps helmet in clean air without buffeting.

[Adirondack Bill]

LARUE- I wish I was 20 again, I am 57.  DINOSNAKE-  I would love to put 5, 6, or more than 7 thousand mile in a year, but in upstate NEW YORK  I  am lucky to get 4,000. And ROBERT- I do not use my Valk. for running to the store or going to the gym. My bike is strickly  for pleasure. So I guess I am not a "BIKER", I am just a guy who very much enjoys riding and have done so for over 40 years.

[Robert]

LARUE- I wish I was 20 again, I am 57.  DINOSNAKE-  I would love to put 5, 6, or more than 7 thousand mile in a year, but in upstate NEW YORK  I  am lucky to get 4,000. And ROBERT- I do not use my Valk. for running to the store or going to the gym. My bike is strickly  for pleasure. So I guess I am not a "BIKER", I am just a guy who very much enjoys riding and have done so for over 40 years.

You are in some of the most beautiful area in the country, I love upstate NY. I would think a biker by definition would not hinge on mileage but on the love for riding. I believe you would qualify as being a biker since its the wind and the road that brings enjoyment.

  When I lived on Long Island I was in my boat from February to December or until there was ice on the water. I never pulled the boat out till there was ice on the canal. I guess I got used to being in the wind and exploring since I have been out on boats since a kid. On a boat you really cant really do errands like on the bike. So when I started to ride and being in Florida I took my love of riding and being in the wind to the next level and decided as much as I can I would use the bike. Hell I have 3 vehicles to choose from and most of the time they sit and do nothing. So it became a necessity to have bags on the bike and really I dont like the look of the 1800 naked as with bags. That was also one of the decisions in buying the bike that the bags go with it or no bike. I have been very blessed in my life to have my lifestyle and riding being able to mesh. Some are not so fortunate. I would go crazy if I could not go out on the bike in the winter, I felt the same when I had the boat and watched and waited till there was no ice on the water then launched the boat. I love riding and exploring on the bike, not so much on the water here in Florida. I have traveled all over NY state and took many trips in the car to tour. I did not have the motorcycle in NY but I sometimes reflect on that, I wished I had. To be able to go and see the leaves turn the crispness in the air and tingle when it starts to get cold. The smells and exploring the road, so much different than here. But maybe some day that will happen. I have been to many places in my life some planned some just happened, maybe that will be one, touring NY and Mass around October to see the trees turn riding the bike.

I have found that there is never the lack of adventure and wonder out on the road, only the desire or ability to pursue it.

So bags for me are a necessity since they would define not taking the bike to do errands that would normally require a car since storage is a requirement. But if I take the loooonnng way there and back who what can it hurt. 

[dans2014]

I would take an f6b tomorrow if my Valk. was worth anything. It isn't so I am stuck. love the 40th anniversary f6b

[dinosnake]

LARUE- I wish I was 20 again, I am 57.  DINOSNAKE-  I would love to put 5, 6, or more than 7 thousand mile in a year, but in upstate NEW YORK  I  am lucky to get 4,000. And ROBERT- I do not use my Valk. for running to the store or going to the gym. My bike is strickly  for pleasure. So I guess I am not a "BIKER", I am just a guy who very much enjoys riding and have done so for over 40 years.

Aww, don't day that!! :-)  I used to live in Dutchess, was up in the Adirondacks just a few weeks ago and will probably go back again before my season is over.  I ride strictly for pleasure and my season isn't over yet, out last week in western NJ.  The secret?   Heated gear and handgrips!!

[ledany]

Riding the Valk in fall & winter time is not as easy as with my former BMWs. No heated hand grips ? It sucks, to tell the  truth

[dinosnake]

My favorite heated grips are Drag Specialties as they only have external wiring to the left grip, making wiring to the electrical system easy, with the system controller built into the left grip and internal bar wiring to the right grip.  Really clean install.

Ask if you want purchase and install tips.

[JamminJohn1]

I live on the Tug Hill Plateau Bill.  I'm 65.
The average annual snowfall since 1985 is 228 inches, or 19 feet.
The biggest since then is 300 inches, said Gerald Morczek, who has been the region's official National Weather Service spotter since 1985.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tug_Hill
I had to retire my Valkyrie Tourer @ 193,000 miles because the rust & corrosion of NY winters made it unreliable.
I ride a Stratoliner now with 147,000 miles on her and a Vulcan 2000LT with 67,000 smiles.
I would ride a lot more if I had the $$$$ and I didn't live in snow country.
I may get one of these newer Valks. We'll see.

                     JJ

[Adirondack Bill]

Robert- You express your thoughts so well! Are you a writer or a retired college English professor? I very much enjoy reading your posts. They are very insightful and informational. Getting back to the matter at hand- I love riding in upstate New York in the fall. I love the smell of the leaves and I do not need a windshield to block the smell- Ha-Ha. Here we are, it is almost November and the temp. may reach 60 next week. This is BONUS weather.  JAMMINJOHN1- Yes, the Tug Hill Plateau is well known for its snow. Heck, If we do not get enough snow here, the sled-people head to Tug Hill. God bless you, you can keep all that snow. Six or seven feet each winter is enough for me. 

[bscrive]

I love the Adirondacks and it is my favourite place to ride.  My wife and I ride the roads a few times each year.  We usually head to Lake George to stay over night and then head back the next day on a different route.  We have been doing that for over 25 years.   

[Robert]

Robert- You express your thoughts so well! Are you a writer or a retired college English professor? 

Thanks

Lake George has one of the best classic boat shows in one of the best venues for it.
Antique & Classic Boat Show - 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY63iA7dD0Q



Boat Show Antique & Classic - Lake George 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hILutfE4E4

Not my videos but it shows some of the awesome boats.

[Kidd]

Kool boats
My dad  had a boat business  for the mid 50's  to early 70's  in Corpus Christi Tx .
I remember them boats .
He also had a Honda motorcycle dealership , too.
I had a great childhood , motorcycling , deep sea fishing and water  skiing , hunting too , as we lived on 40 acres

[ledany]

My favorite heated grips are Drag Specialties as they only have external wiring to the left grip, making wiring to the electrical system easy, with the system controller built into the left grip and internal bar wiring to the right grip.  Really clean install.

Ask if you want purchase and install tips.

Thanks for the tip but it's too expensive + I like the OEM grips, perfect for my hands. In winter I usually use motorcycle sleeves. Don't tell me it's ugly, the first thing I see is that the sleeves are much waterproof than any glove, and warm. The problem with the Valk is that unlike the wing, you can't fix the sleeve at the end of the bar and the result is makeshift. I must find a way to change the bar end so that it doesn't rotate with the throttle   ???