F6B

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I'm thinking hard about replacing my 97 with a 2016 F6B Deluxe.
I'd like some info from those of you "in the know". 

Would you buy the F6B again?

How does the saddlebag volume compare to the leatherlykes so many of us use on the 1520's?

How comfortable is the passenger perch compared to a standard with ultimate seats?

Do the 1800's use mechanical or hydraulic lifters?

Is there room for a large travel bag on the luggage rack?

What don't you like about them?

Thanks,
Frye

[bscrive]

There might be a few guys on here with an F6B, but most of us have the F6C, the new Valkyrie. 

Personally, I found the amount of space in the bags very small.  That and the back end was so freakin huge.  Those are the reasons why I didn't buy one.  I would have kept my IS if I wanted something that big. 

Get yourself a F6C and put on some saddlebags and a windshield.  I think you will like that better and spend half as much as a F6B.

[Jack B]

I have A F6B and I love it. Yes I would buy one again or the 2018 Goldwing.
I love the old Valk's but the F6B just rides so much better.
I kept my I.S. but after a year I didn't want to ride it anymore. So I sold it.
The saddlebags might be a little smaller not sure. I don't like the side-opening I would rather have top-opening.
I thought about buying the new Valk bit once you buy bags and a windshield you still don't have a radio or a fairing. Plus there are a lot of accessories available for the F6B.
I don't carry a passenger so I can't tell you about the backseat or rear rack I just strap my bag to the rear seat.
There some larger racks made for the F6B.
The lifters need to checked at about 35,000 miles. Mine were good, After that I heard a lot of guys don't have them checked again because they're generally never go out.
Good luck

[PAVALKER]

Friend of mine has an F6B, while I have an F6C and a "vintage" Valkyrie IS.  Bags on the F6B are side open bags and not as roomy as my IS I don't think.  I do have the Corbin bags on my F6C and they look and fit great...but lack the space one might think they have from the outer appearances.

As you know the F6B and the F6C are quite different in a few areas....  both are nice, but it depends on what you are looking for  (fairing/radio/bags vs adding shield/bags to the F6C).   The ride between the two is noticably different between the two as well.  The F6C is so much more nimble and responsive in my opinion, even with added bags.  Could be the fairing on the F6B.  The handling, braking and pickup on the F6C are so much better IMO as well.

The handling of the F6B compares to that of my SuperValked IS I believe.  F6C feels more what I imagine a sport bike might be .

Took me a little while to get past the front end looks of the F6C, and sitting behind the bars with the big smile, I really dont see the front end too much.

Regarding your question of travel bags..... I do have a T-Bag that would fit nicely on the rear seat or the rear luggage rack strapped to the backrest and imagine the F6B has that capability as well, but maybe not as tall a backrest.

[pago cruiser]

I had similar questions - so I rented an F6B for a 2000 mile week trip a few weeks ago.  Fun bike, but...

1. Saddlebags are irritating.  Kind of opposite when compared to the Tardis (if you are a Dr Who fan) - smaller on the inside than on the outside    Maybe 1/2 the useful volume of the Legacy Valk IS top opening bags.  They are also side opening, and you ALWAYS have to use the key to open.  It is a remote key with a cable operated latch; it feels... wimpy.

2. Big ass fairing and windscreen; felt like I was driving a Prius.  It looked humongous in the rental place pic - I actually purchased a shorter windscreen used from a gent on the F6B forum, and after riding it 180 miles to home from where I picked it up, changed the screen prior to my trip.  Was much better looking over instead of through. The pic is of the shorty one I purchased - anybody looking for one?  Make you a deal...

3. That rear end is indeed "YUGE!".  I've seen Helo Landing pads smaller.

4. Plenty of room on the passenger seat to strap reasonable sized bike pack. Yet the rear luggage rack is barely big enough for a 6-pack of Guiness...:


5.  Lots of buttons to push on the handlebar controls and the fairing, if you are into that; I'm not.  When I ride, I ride.  No stereo, CB, Bluetooth phone connection, etc; I find that stuff distracting.

6. Coming from riding the Legacy Valk as my "Big Bike", the F6B was just too much. Using an (old-school) auto comparison, if the GL1800 is a Caddy, then the F6B is more of a Buick. If you were downsizing from a GL1800, it is ...less.

7. It did run great, and handled relatively well; I.e., it stayed on track in a corner - I could easily corner until my boots touched pavement. I loved the powerplant.

8.  How much?  Picked this up a few weeks ago:


While only slightly off topic...  Back to the auto comparison, the 2014+ Valk is more on the lines of a Mustang or Camaro.  Feels like better handling, better braking, and lighter than the actual 60 lbs less (compared to the F6B).  Windscreen (not fairing) works surprisingly well - my 1000 mile fly-n-ride in 20-30F temps was comfortable with electric gear.  Rain would have prolly been a different matter.  The only bugger is indeed the lack of storage; Honda screwed the pooch in not offering reasonable saddlebags.  It can be solved if you are ok with the factory soft bags (I wasn't), or if you are relatively handy.  A couple members on the site have gone a similar route:



Oh - both are significantly lower to the ground than the Legacy Valk - to me it feels... odd, when compared to the Legacy valk.  Not bad, just different.  But that's the more cruiser aspect I guess.  I'd suggest to rent one first if you are on the fence.  Ain't it great to have choices! 

Note: All comments are my personal opinions only - YMMV!
 


 

      

[Bill Havins]

...a very thoughtful response.  And spot on, IMHO.

Bill

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Another question, does anybody pull a trailer with an F6B?

My interests lie with the 2016 F6B Deluxe (cruise, heated grips, self-canceling signals and a center-stand I believe) and the new Wing. However, the wing is more than I really want to spend.

Another question, has anyone done any performance mods to the F6B? If so, did the make a noticeable difference in acceleration and overall power?

Thanks in advance.

[Kidd]

Pago pegged it , mostly, as did the other responses .

The GW is really over kill  , to me , for a motorcycle , the B  seems  just right for a long distance ride and even shorts jaunts and errands  around town , too.    More comfort for  longer rides .  The B is still on my short list of bikes I think about owning   .

The  Kerry ( Valk )  is  for them shorter  jaunts , when you do not plan to be out so long  , hence , the forward leaning stance when hands are on the bar ends  , no wind protection .

The complaints from the  gentleman ( complainers  ) above should be disregarded  if you are easily  jaded.

I'd rather trailer my Kerry to a distant  location , then ride it  around  , if I had a B  , I'd still probably do the same  , and maybe not .

[Robert]

If you really want to check size and saddle bag dimensions for yourself just find a wing to look at and ride that for the F6B. Its really the same bike without the trunk. The bags are the same and the whole bike is the same that way someone has to have a wing close to you to look at.

 The comparison is a little harder since the Valk is not as smooth but is quicker on the moves. Top end on the Valk is just a bit slower than the B and the fuel mileage is a bit worse. Not to mention the obvious, no fairing. I personally find the wing and B ride to smooth and dont like it along with the command console.

They do not have hydraulic lifters and the factory recommends adjustment but I seriously doubt most do it. The brakes are smaller on the B but they stop easier than the C.

All in all a great bike but really no difference from the wing except for a trunk. If I was going to buy a B I would buy the wing since it comes with more goodies and take the trunk off since they now make aftermarket adapters that will cover the spot the trunk was.

My friend bought the B and I can ride it when ever I want but I personally prefer the C.

[Verismo]

Some thoughtful responses on this forum as usual.  I owned a 99 Standard Valk before I bought the 2014, put 10,000 miles on the 2014 before selling it and buying a 2016 F6B, which I now have 8,000 miles on.

I think most of this comes down to rider dimensions, riding style, aesthetic taste, the usual.  In other words, they are both great bikes and this is just a subjective opinion.  For me, the F6B was a huge improvement over the C, and here are my why's:

The B is a smoother(to me) ride. The roll-on and off from throttle is more attenuated throughout and because of this, it's just a more relaxing ride than the C.  Still plenty of power when you want it, but acceleration\deceleration, and shifting at different rev levels feels somehow less jerky.  Also, it doesn't feel like it's geared to climb a tree in 1st, which is how the C felt to me.  I wonder if Honda should've retooled the transmission on the C to compensate for the weight loss, but then again, I'm not counting the pennies for their business, either.

Braking-Bigger brakes on the C.  However air resistance and weight play a bigger part in slowing the B, so it stops about as well. In an emergency or quick situation, I might prefer braking on the C.  But once again, for overall rider experience, I prefer the smoother feeling deceleration on the B.

The factory cruise and heated grips are the tits.  I have never owned a bike with either of these and I can't believe how much I like both.  I use them all the time.

Suspension-In my opinion, both are pretty damn rough relative to the smoothness of the powertrain.  I have much more comfort on the B than the C, but would still prefer a more plush ride.  I have adjusted the preload in all directions on both bikes and found that, for me, adjusting the preload towards its stiffest setting on the B makes the ride less jarring overall.  I have never studied suspensions so I don't really understand preload or spring rates, I just know when something feels like it's killing me over potholes and when it doesn't.  At some point if I can swing it financially, I will upgrade to an Arnott air shock in the rear and Progressive monotubes at the front.  Overall, I'm still MUCH more comfortable on the B than the C.

Storage-This is the feature that really drives home how much I like this bike.  I recognize that lots of guys don't like the side-loading bags, but I sure do.  The handles to open them are sleek and hidden by the grab rails.  But best of all, I can literally fit a full face AND a half helmet in the left bag without any forcing or maneuvering.  (Left is bigger than the right).  I wear a size medium, for reference, and the full face is a Schuberth C3 Pro.  I can't tell you how much I love this feature. The weather jumps around in Texas a lot, and I might want to wear a half helmet when I leave in the afternoon and a full face on the cold ride home at night and they are both there for me, locked away, completely hidden and integrated into the bike. I really think that's fantastic.

To answer the questions of yours that I can answer directly:

Yes, I would buy the B again.  A great bike, and even though I'm looking forward to cracking the throttle on the new DCT in 2018, they cut back on the size of the bags, and like I said in the previous paragraph, I love the current setup.  I'm not sure how they compare to leatherlyke, though.  I haven't owned those.  And in terms of the luggage rack, show chrome and a few others make a very large rack that you can fit a huge bag on.

If I had to list a con on the B-  The fairing takes some acclimating.  At slow speeds, you steer instead of lean, and it feels less "motorcycle-y" this way.  Anything above parking lot speeds and this goes away and the wind protection is ridiculously good.  I have a Mad Stad shield on it and the protection is honestly near perfect.  But there is something about seeing the front forks and a clean look from the driver seat of a motorcycle that is definitely missing with the fairing in front of you.  It's a trade-off.  That being said, at least to me, the B feels like a closer approximation of riding style to my 99 standard than did the F6C.

A big factor in my decision was finance.  If I had the money, I would own both(or ideally, all 3).  However, I really hated the handlebars on the C and changing them is quite a task.  A couple of members have done fantastic jobs of this, but it wasn't for me.  I calculated how much it would cost me to change the handlebars(without the guarantee that the change would work), to add Corbin bags and cruise, and to retool the windshielf mounts for the MadStad I had on the C, and it was equivalent to changing to the B.  I decided that my overall investment would be safer in a B.  After having done it, I still feel like I'm likely to lose less money overall on the B, and I'm MUCH happier on it.

Like I said,  these opinions are exactly that and only reflect my perspective on the bikes.  I'm not dogging the C. I really liked it for the muscley roadster it was, and if money were no object I'd probably still own it.  But as it stands, I'm extremely happy on the B.  I love all the additional protection, storage, comfort, smoothness, and I can still crack the throttle and scoot.

Hope you find this info helpful, and whatever you get, feel comfortable knowing you are getting a GREAT bike.

Jason

[Kidd]

Great  response
For most all the positives you mention is why the B is on my list of " must haves ", before I die .

I think I'll rent one in Scottsdale , Az .

[_Sheffjs_]

From the OP it looks like traveling with luggage is a huge factor. I believe the B has 410 pounds as max weight between driver passenger and luggage. 


As far as the post about DCT, I sure would like to give it a go as well. Not saying anything either way but, I sure would like to try it on the new wing. 

[pago cruiser]

Good info from Verismo.

A couple comments to append:
"The roll-on and off from throttle is more attenuated throughout...": Confirmed; the F6C is definitely more responsive.  

I could literally not get half the stuff I regularly carry in my Legacy IS Valk right side bag (tool bag, spare tire in a can, Volt Meter, shop manual, air compressor, flat tire plugs and gun, misc hardware container, 2 half liters of water) into the right side bag.  A lot of this may be that while the volume is similar, the shape is not.  

While I did not try getting a helmet into the left (edited) side, my removable clothes carrier that I use on the Legacy Valk had to be "thinned down" and jammed in to fit.  Again, I think it may be a way different shape.

The fairing is just about as massive as on the GL1800.  One of my sport tourer companions commented "Looks like the Bridge on the Enterprise"  

If you rent an F6B for a test, the windscreen will have a major effect on your impressions.  On the one I rented, when I picked it up it was 80F.  I sweated in my riding gear looking through it on the 180 mile ride home.  The shorty I installed was a world of (way better) difference.

Again, it's great to have choices!

[bscrive]

The F6B is a really nice bike and I did consider it for a while, but for me, I wanted something smaller than my 99 IS.  The F6B was like I was going right into the same type of bike.  Hence, why I decided to go to the F6C.

Now, I do a lot of weekend & weeklong trips, so I needed storage.  My wife has some good storage on her Spyder, but I wanted more.  I tried several types of saddlebags, but none compared to the ones I had on my IS.  So, I decided that that is what I needed.  I bought some and made some mounts to put them on.

For me, the OEM handlebars really sucked.  My right elbow would kill me after only 1/2 hour of riding.  I looked for a set that I could put on, but none were to be had.  I wanted them closer to me considerably, so that I would sit like I did on my IS.  My only solution was to make a set, which I did.  The total cost for the bars with powder coating was about $130.  These bars are made specifically for me and are ergonomically perfect for me.

The seat on the F6C is a real piece of crap.  Russell Daylong fixed that for me.

I wanted cruise control, so I put a Rostra Electronic cruise on it and it works awesomely, now that I have the bugs worked out.

I even put a Shark Stereo system on it that rivals the best ones out there.  I can easily hear mine when I am doing 70mph.

With all the modifications and extras I did on my bike I have about $3500 in it.

Now, I love doing modifications, but it is not for everyone.  Even with all the modifications put in I am still way better off then buying the F6B (they didn't have cruise back then).  Up here they wanted @ $24,000 for one in 2015.  I only have a total of $20,000 in my bike now and had the joy of making it unique and my own.  I won't be selling it for a very long time, so I am not worried about re-sale.

Have fun in your decision Frye. 

[dans2014]

If your a serious long distance touring guy, buy the f6B. Short rides and sporty, F6C

[shortleg]

https:e//flic.kr/p/WVYw26
  What I did was add a chopped tour pack and use it like
I do my super Valk. Have no trouble at all traveling at all.
  Tome the B out handles the old Valks all day long.

[shortleg]

F6B by David Greenhause, on Flickr

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

F6B by David Greenhause, on Flickr

Nice!

[Robert]

While I like the F6B, I love my F6C

[Jack B]

That is a nice looking Valkyrie

[Robert]

That is a nice looking Valkyrie

Thanks Jack 

[Robert]

Just thought about something I dont like about the F6B the radio. 

My friend when we ride together has the radio blasting and when we stop it almost drowns out everything else until he turns it down     But he's happy with that so to each his own and you could say that the radio is plenty loud

[Verismo]

Lol, tell your friend there is a mute button right by his left thumb.  That's what I always hit at stoplights.

Jason

[shortleg]

   I know how you feel about the music blaring.
That used to get me on my IS and my F6B, so went to Bluetooth stuff.
  That seemed to fix everything and I can talk to other riders too.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

   I know how you feel about the music blaring.
That used to get me on my IS and my F6B, so went to Bluetooth stuff.
  That seemed to fix everything and I can talk to other riders too.

Would like to hear more (no pun intended ) concerning bluetooth and motorcycles, in particular how you use it on your F6B. I've nearly got a deal made on a 2016 F6B Deluxe now. The wife and I will be looking for new helmets and headsets in the spring. Hope to be able to each control our own music and yet talk to each other and other riders. The F6B seems to have an "I phone" interface (she has an I phone) and I'm having the passenger headset lead added to the bike but this kind of thing is beyond my experience as of right now so we'll have a lot to learn.

[Verismo]

My helmet has a Sena 10u bluetooth unit installed in it.  I used it all the time on the Valk and it worked very well for both music and phonecalls.  I always ride with earplugs and that improves the bluetooth experience for me.  (Ambient noise is why it's harder to hear on the road, so when you reduce or eliminate it, you can lower the headphone volume and still improve clarity.)

After moving to the B, I find I don't use the bluetooth helmet as much.  I ride a lot with a half helmet which doesn't have bluetooth in it, and the radio works just fine.  I'm actually surprised I use it as much as I do. 

I don't have any experience with the intercom.  I don't ride with a passenger enough to warrant it. As I understand it, my bluetooth unit pairs with many other headsets and can be used as an intercom over bluetooth, but I haven't tested it and don't know about the how's(or why's) of integrating it with the hardline.

Jason

[shortleg]

   I know how you feel about the music blaring.
That used to get me on my IS and my F6B, so went to Bluetooth stuff.
  That seemed to fix everything and I can talk to other riders too.

Would like to hear more (no pun intended ) concerning bluetooth and motorcycles, in particular how you use it on your F6B. I've nearly got a deal made on a 2016 F6B Deluxe now. The wife and I will be looking for new helmets and headsets in the spring. Hope to be able to each control our own music and yet talk to each other and other riders. The F6B seems to have an "I phone" interface (she has an I phone) and I'm having the passenger headset lead added to the bike but this kind of thing is beyond my experience as of right now so we'll have a lot to learn.

   What I use is a sena 20s headset,  and a Sena SM 10.
 What  you do is with    a din 5 pin  to3.5 plug adapter plug headset jack into Sena SM 10  .
   Then  pair your headset to  SM 10 , then pair phone to SM 10.
  With this configuration  you have the ability to listen to any of the music  sources on bike,
And make and receive  calls from your phone.
    Also if you have a bike friendly GPS you can connect  that device to the SM 10 and get your
directions through your Sena 20s headset.
    I know it sound confusing but it,s not really.

[wtm]

I have both and have had 2 Gl1800's before these. I liked the F6B alot more then the full dressers. My wife never liked the dressers because the seat leaned back and she needed a pillow behind her back. She likes the F6B the way it is set up. I like the F6B better then the GL1800A because the seat is longer so I am not pushed into the fairing on the F6B like I was on the GL1800A. Also the loss of the trunk made it handle a lot better, because, if you have a loaded trunk up that high it is top heavy. The F6B is lighter but still big.
 The F6C ( to me) is a different bike then the F6B, The F6C is a lot lighter and what weight it has is down low, It handles lighter and I can make it what you what. I have 3 windshields a clear 22in (touring), a tinted 18in (general riding), and dark tint 16in. (hot days and PGR flag rides). The saddlebags I can remove if I prefer. Also, I can just use the luggage rack empty, put the Saddleman roll bag, or put the hard travel trunk on. I have A mounted GPS, a cell phone mount, and weather radio mounted on The F6C. It is like a big boy transformer toy it can be what ever you want that day. I like the F6C.
I can't get this post to load my pics, Sorry I hit image and ?

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

  I know how you feel about the music blaring.
That used to get me on my IS and my F6B, so went to Bluetooth stuff.
  That seemed to fix everything and I can talk to other riders too.

Would like to hear more (no pun intended ) concerning bluetooth and motorcycles, in particular how you use it on your F6B. I've nearly got a deal made on a 2016 F6B Deluxe now. The wife and I will be looking for new helmets and headsets in the spring. Hope to be able to each control our own music and yet talk to each other and other riders. The F6B seems to have an "I phone" interface (she has an I phone) and I'm having the passenger headset lead added to the bike but this kind of thing is beyond my experience as of right now so we'll have a lot to learn.

  What I use is a sena 20s headset,  and a Sena SM 10.
 What  you do is with    a din 5 pin  to3.5 plug adapter plug headset jack into Sena SM 10  .
   Then  pair your headset to  SM 10 , then pair phone to SM 10.
  With this configuration  you have the ability to listen to any of the music  sources on bike,
And make and receive  calls from your phone.
    Also if you have a bike friendly GPS you can connect  that device to the SM 10 and get your
directions through your Sena 20s headset.
    I know it sound confusing but it,s not really.

That info may have changed our plans from wired to blue tooth headsets. Many thanks. If I understand you correctly, it's only necessary to buy one Sena SM 10, not one for each intercom connection?

Although I know wires are inconvenient we were leaning that way so we could make use of the bike intercom, music, weather radio and gps integration since our Zumo only bluetooths in mono, not stereo and I use it for music storage and GPS. Down sides were the lack of bike to bike communication, the lack of phone integration and the compromises necessary in our music selection since we sometimes don't share the same tastes in this regard.

I'm wondering if we choose this setup if could individually sync our phones to our headsets so each of us could stream music from our phones independently while still maintaining use of the bikes audio capabilities?

The weather has been frustrating. I've only ridden this bike 3 times, once was to work last week, in the dark both ways but still managed to find a few curves. (headlights seem great) The wife hasn't been on it yet. And, more snow and ice on top of what's already on the ground tonight. Sigh.....

Thanks again,
Mike

[shortleg]

  That is correct, you can pair 2 phones to it so both of you can get your calls and listen to music and
talk to each other.
  If your GPS has a 3.5 plug you can plug it into the sm10 and it will cut out music and give directions.

[Robert]

Just thought another pic out by the locks would look nice, what a great day for a ride.

Put on a few hundred miles today is quick time with a few stops thrown in for good measure.

[shortleg]

  I know how you feel about the music blaring.
That used to get me on my IS and my F6B, so went to Bluetooth stuff.
  That seemed to fix everything and I can talk to other riders too.

Would like to hear more (no pun intended ) concerning bluetooth and motorcycles, in particular how you use it on your F6B. I've nearly got a deal made on a 2016 F6B Deluxe now. The wife and I will be looking for new helmets and headsets in the spring. Hope to be able to each control our own music and yet talk to each other and other riders. The F6B seems to have an "I phone" interface (she has an I phone) and I'm having the passenger headset lead added to the bike but this kind of thing is beyond my experience as of right now so we'll have a lot to learn.

  What I use is a sena 20s headset,  and a Sena SM 10.
 What  you do is with    a din 5 pin  to3.5 plug adapter plug headset jack into Sena SM 10  .
   Then  pair your headset to  SM 10 , then pair phone to SM 10.
  With this configuration  you have the ability to listen to any of the music  sources on bike,
And make and receive  calls from your phone.
    Also if you have a bike friendly GPS you can connect  that device to the SM 10 and get your
directions through your Sena 20s headset.
    I know it sound confusing but it,s not really.

That info may have changed our plans from wired to blue tooth headsets. Many thanks. If I understand you correctly, it's only necessary to buy one Sena SM 10, not one for each intercom connection?

Although I know wires are inconvenient we were leaning that way so we could make use of the bike intercom, music, weather radio and gps integration since our Zumo only bluetooths in mono, not stereo and I use it for music storage and GPS. Down sides were the lack of bike to bike communication, the lack of phone integration and the compromises necessary in our music selection since we sometimes don't share the same tastes in this regard.

I'm wondering if we choose this setup if could individually sync our phones to our headsets so each of us could stream music from our phones independently while still maintaining use of the bikes audio capabilities?

The weather has been frustrating. I've only ridden this bike 3 times, once was to work last week, in the dark both ways but still managed to find a few curves. (headlights seem great) The wife hasn't been on it yet. And, more snow and ice on top of what's already on the ground tonight. Sigh.....

Thanks again,
Mike

    That is correct, in fact the SM 10 is made to have two phones paired to it.
You both will be able to make a get your own phone calls as well as talk to each other.