Questions for F6B owners...

[msb]

A few questions for current or past F6B owners if I may...
Are general/regular maintenance procedures relatively straight forward on these bikes, or are there any PIA items to deal with?

Any issues/deficiencies to look out for when looking to purchase certain model years?

What provisions have any of you made for 2 up riding, such as seats, back rests, luggage racks/top box, etc?

Thanks...have always liked these bikes and thought that if there was ever to be newer bike in my future to go along with (NOT to replace) my dear old Valk for longer distance riding, this would be it.

[..]

Changing the air filter. 

[..]

Call Wompus racks.

Best I've seen.

I have one on my F6C

http://wompusracks.com/

Detn8er has one on his V1500

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,116212.0.html

You'd really have to explain which Bike or he might think it's a Wing or V1500!!!

[six2go #152]

I have a 2013 F6B Standard.As far as maintenance the big drawback is that to do almost anything involves removing body panels(tupperware). Oil & filter changes are pretty much straight forward as on the 1500 Valk, but you have to remove a panel to pour in the new oil. Pretty easy, but still somewhat of a pain.
Changing the final drive lubricant is exactly as the Valk but the saddle bags make access a bit harder, but doable.
Unlike most owners here, I have 2 very good dealership service departments available and use the one where I bought the bike for most everything else.
The only deficiencies I have found is the lack of the reverse gear. This is a heavy motorcycle. Some guys miss the lack of Cruise Control on the early models but I find that a throttle lock & palm rest is plenty good.
I never have a passenger so any comfort changes are for me only.
The only added luggage I use is a rear seat bag when traveling.

[Bighead]

I have a 2013 F6B Standard.As far as maintenance the big drawback is that to do almost anything involves removing body panels(tupperware). Oil & filter changes are pretty much straight forward as on the 1500 Valk, but you have to remove a panel to pour in the new oil. Pretty easy, but still somewhat of a pain.
Changing the final drive lubricant is exactly as the Valk but the saddle bags make access a bit harder, but doable.
Unlike most owners here, I have 2 very good dealership service departments available and use the one where I bought the bike for most everything else.
The only deficiencies I have found is the lack of the reverse gear. This is a heavy motorcycle. Some guys miss the lack of Cruise Control on the early models but I find that a throttle lock & palm rest is plenty good.
I never have a passenger so any comfort changes are for me only.
The only added luggage I use is a rear seat bag when traveling.

You do know they sell side panels with the dipstick hole in it.

[six2go #152]

I have a 2013 F6B Standard.As far as maintenance the big drawback is that to do almost anything involves removing body panels(tupperware). Oil & filter changes are pretty much straight forward as on the 1500 Valk, but you have to remove a panel to pour in the new oil. Pretty easy, but still somewhat of a pain.
Changing the final drive lubricant is exactly as the Valk but the saddle bags make access a bit harder, but doable.
Unlike most owners here, I have 2 very good dealership service departments available and use the one where I bought the bike for most everything else.
The only deficiencies I have found is the lack of the reverse gear. This is a heavy motorcycle. Some guys miss the lack of Cruise Control on the early models but I find that a throttle lock & palm rest is plenty good.
I never have a passenger so any comfort changes are for me only.
The only added luggage I use is a rear seat bag when traveling.

You do know they sell side panels with the dipstick hole in it.

Really? I'll look into that. Thanks for the info. Although doing only 1 oil change a year, it may be overkill. But good to know anyway.

[six2go #152]

I have a 2013 F6B Standard.As far as maintenance the big drawback is that to do almost anything involves removing body panels(tupperware). Oil & filter changes are pretty much straight forward as on the 1500 Valk, but you have to remove a panel to pour in the new oil. Pretty easy, but still somewhat of a pain.
Changing the final drive lubricant is exactly as the Valk but the saddle bags make access a bit harder, but doable.
Unlike most owners here, I have 2 very good dealership service departments available and use the one where I bought the bike for most everything else.
The only deficiencies I have found is the lack of the reverse gear. This is a heavy motorcycle. Some guys miss the lack of Cruise Control on the early models but I find that a throttle lock & palm rest is plenty good.
I never have a passenger so any comfort changes are for me only.
The only added luggage I use is a rear seat bag when traveling.

You do know they sell side panels with the dipstick hole in it.

OK, I found one. The only one I see is a KuryAkyn product and only in chrome. F6B owners don't do chrome. Thanks for the tip anyway.

[msb]

I have a 2013 F6B Standard.As far as maintenance the big drawback is that to do almost anything involves removing body panels(tupperware). Oil & filter changes are pretty much straight forward as on the 1500 Valk, but you have to remove a panel to pour in the new oil. Pretty easy, but still somewhat of a pain.
Changing the final drive lubricant is exactly as the Valk but the saddle bags make access a bit harder, but doable.
Unlike most owners here, I have 2 very good dealership service departments available and use the one where I bought the bike for most everything else.
The only deficiencies I have found is the lack of the reverse gear. This is a heavy motorcycle. Some guys miss the lack of Cruise Control on the early models but I find that a throttle lock & palm rest is plenty good.
I never have a passenger so any comfort changes are for me only.
The only added luggage I use is a rear seat bag when traveling.

You do know they sell side panels with the dipstick hole in it.

OK, I found one. The only one I see is a KuryAkyn product and only in chrome. F6B owners don't do chrome. Thanks for the tip anyway.

[/quote]F6B owners don't do chrome.

[/quote] lol, exactly...my preference would definitely be flat (Satin?) Black or Grey with Black accents. Love the look of those colours on the B. Would be the exact opposite of my beautiful Red, Black, and Chrome Interstate...no sense having two of the same

Thx for the maintenance tips!!

[msb]

Call Wompus racks.

Best I've seen.

I have one on my F6C

http://wompusracks.com/Thanks! That's a nice looking bike rack.

Detn8er has one on his V1500

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,116212.0.html

You'd really have to explain which Bike or he might think it's a Wing or V1500!!!

thx!

[Rudy]

I have a 2013 F6B with 27K miles on it. One of the best bikes I have owned. I installed a Givi rack on the back that allows me to pop a Givi top box on in about 30 seconds when needed. I use the top box for longer trips but most of the time I run without it. Really don't ride two up so I can't help you there. As far as maintenance goes it's been no different than any other Honda I've had, routine oil changes ( not difficult to do), a set of spark plugs, and a few tires. The one exception is the air filter, it should not take 2 plus hours to change an air filter on a motorcycle !!   
                         The "B" is as fun to ride as my Valk. standard. I enjoy both of them. If you are somewhat handy and can wrench a little bit , standard maintenance should not be a problem.  FYI, if cruise control is important to you I believe they came on the 2015 models.

[msb]

I have a 2013 F6B with 27K miles on it. One of the best bikes I have owned. I installed a Givi rack on the back that allows me to pop a Givi top box on in about 30 seconds when needed. I use the top box for longer trips but most of the time I run without it. Really don't ride two up so I can't help you there. As far as maintenance goes it's been no different than any other Honda I've had, routine oil changes ( not difficult to do), a set of spark plugs, and a few tires. The one exception is the air filter, it should not take 2 plus hours to change an air filter on a motorcycle !!   
                         The "B" is as fun to ride as my Valk. standard. I enjoy both of them. If you are somewhat handy and can wrench a little bit , standard maintenance should not be a problem.  FYI, if cruise control is important to you I believe they came on the 2015 models.

Thanks Rudy

[Reb]

Own a 2015 F6B Deluxe with 25K miles. Never had any issue until I decided to get a riding partner. I've had difficulty finding a windscreen that works for two up riding. Have a Mustang seat that fits me well at 5'10. My GF is about 5'7, recently purchased the tallest V-stream windshield to try out, still puts the wind right into her face. For solo riding I loved the low cut Klockworks (forgot what height it is)

No specific years to watch out for, 2015-16 models have cruise control, deluxe versions get heated grips, maybe the center stand (not sure if it came standard on non-deluxe models) Only real complaint I have is the paint. Paint gets swirls marks and light scratches in it very easily compared to my former 1800 wing. I remember reading Honda cheapened the paint to a water base formula for the F6B's (may be fake news) Regardless, a good power buff once a year does the job.

[msb]

Own a 2015 F6B Deluxe with 25K miles. Never had any issue until I decided to get a riding partner. I've had difficulty finding a windscreen that works for two up riding. Have a Mustang seat that fits me well at 5'10. My GF is about 5'7, recently purchased the tallest V-stream windshield to try out, still puts the wind right into her face. For solo riding I loved the low cut Klockworks (forgot what height it is)

No specific years to watch out for, 2015-16 models have cruise control, deluxe versions get heated grips, maybe the center stand (not sure if it came standard on non-deluxe models) Only real complaint I have is the paint. Paint gets swirls marks and light scratches in it very easily compared to my former 1800 wing. I remember reading Honda cheapened the paint to a water base formula for the F6B's (may be fake news) Regardless, a good power buff once a year does the job.

Thanks Reb,  good info. I've read plenty on the paint issues and have seen it first hand as well. As I'd be looking for  the flat/satin colours, would  assume that would  not  be an issue.

[shortleg]

 I have had my 2013 since 2014 and I find it to be
 very easy to work on.
 Anything draw back on this bike can be overcome.
 Cruise control was added from the same company in Australia  that supplied it for the Valk.
 Adding oil and checking oil can be overcome by replacing
the cover on that side with one that gives  you access to it.
 I have been all over this country on this bike

  and it is very comfortable for 5 or 6 hundred  mile days easy.
  Any bike has to be made to fit its rider.
 Also I added a tour pack to mine that I can removed when not needed.

[Farside]

   love Stinger my beautiful Yellow/Black 14 F6BD I bought w/ 8k in Jan. 2020 now almost 20k. I split time w/  Renegade. As I understand it the D model has the Ctr. stand, self canceling blinkers, foglights and heated grips. As it was stated earlier the 15 & 16 had the factory cruise which I wish I had . I put a belly-pan on mine to help protect the bike. Little more work when I have to change the oil but ok with it. The oil change is not difficult at all. I was out on Stinger today in fact. The 13 & 14 bikes came with the chrome exhaust. I bought a like new set of black pipes from a fellow F6B in CA and put them on my Stinger. She has NO chrome and looks better that way. I haven't seen one like mine which I like. Y/B are hard to find they only made that color in 14. Great bike for comfort of course but the extra power response is a beautiful thing It came with a Mustange seat that I sold on the F6B board after I found a like new Ultimate off the same board in TN. I'm all set other than adding the Throttle Assist I just bought. 

[Chrisj CMA]

  love Stinger my beautiful Yellow/Black 14 F6BD I bought w/ 8k in Jan. 2020 now almost 20k. I split time w/  Renegade. As I understand it the D model has the Ctr. stand, self canceling blinkers, foglights and heated grips. As it was stated earlier the 15 & 16 had the factory cruise which I wish I had . I put a belly-pan on mine to help protect the bike. Little more work when I have to change the oil but ok with it. The oil change is not difficult at all. I was out on Stinger today in fact. The 13 & 14 bikes came with the chrome exhaust. I bought a like new set of black pipes from a fellow F6B in CA and put them on my Stinger. She has NO chrome and looks better that way. I haven't seen one like mine which I like. Y/B are hard to find they only made that color in 14. Great bike for comfort of course but the extra power response is a beautiful thing It came with a Mustange seat that I sold on the F6B board after I found a like new Ultimate off the same board in TN. I'm all set other than adding the Throttle Assist I just bought. 

[msb]

  love Stinger my beautiful Yellow/Black 14 F6BD I bought w/ 8k in Jan. 2020 now almost 20k. I split time w/  Renegade. As I understand it the D model has the Ctr. stand, self canceling blinkers, foglights and heated grips. As it was stated earlier the 15 & 16 had the factory cruise which I wish I had . I put a belly-pan on mine to help protect the bike. Little more work when I have to change the oil but ok with it. The oil change is not difficult at all. I was out on Stinger today in fact. The 13 & 14 bikes came with the chrome exhaust. I bought a like new set of black pipes from a fellow F6B in CA and put them on my Stinger. She has NO chrome and looks better that way. I haven't seen one like mine which I like. Y/B are hard to find they only made that color in 14. Great bike for comfort of course but the extra power response is a beautiful thing It came with a Mustange seat that I sold on the F6B board after I found a like new Ultimate off the same board in TN. I'm all set other than adding the Throttle Assist I just bought. 

Unique for sure...never even knew they made a Yellow/Black, much less seen one. I agree they look better with no chrome...which folks who know me would think is odd, coming from one who has spent 20 years adding and polishing all the shiny bits on his 1500.
Belly pan....lot of off road riding there in Florida?

[six2go #152]

"Belly pan....lot of off road riding there in Florida?"
Quite a few owners of the "B" have put a belly pan on the bike to protect the coolant overflow container, which is in a vulnerable position, from being damaged by any road debris being thrown up by the front tire. I don't know if it has actually happened to anyone, but that's why it's done.

[Farside]

"Belly pan....lot of off road riding there in Florida?"
Quite a few owners of the "B" have put a belly pan on the bike to protect the coolant overflow container, which is in a vulnerable position, from being damaged by any road debris being thrown up by the front tire. I don't know if it has actually happened to anyone, but that's why it's done.

Right you are six2go. But also may come in handy when the creeks have risen! I can skip across