Update by wiggy! Original Valkyrie or New Valkyrie or F6b

[_Sheffjs_]

Having two Valk 1500S and Shadow Tourer for fun, I now have the new GW Valk or Goldwing Sport as it is not a Valkyrie to me.  I want another vote option.  "GW Sport" for one up blast fun or short rides and a second bike one day and that is the F6B for two up and longer runs. And as mentioned above the F6B over full on wing because of the stretched out position.   Oh to be Jay Leno, then E - all of the above.   

[wiggydotcom]

Having two Valk 1500S and Shadow Tourer for fun, I now have the new GW Valk or Goldwing Sport as it is not a Valkyrie to me.  I want another vote option.  "GW Sport" for one up blast fun or short rides and a second bike one day and that is the F6B for two up and longer runs. And as mentioned above the F6B over full on wing because of the stretched out position.   Oh to be Jay Leno, then E - all of the above.  

Sheffjs, I appreciate your input but therein lies my dilemma. I can't have even two bikes. The hard decision for me is deciding between a 2013 Valk that I could probably get for just under 10 grand and then adding the Corbin bags, shield, seat, etc...or just getting the F6b. Is there any differences between how they handle, perform, etc?

I also would have liked to add another vote option to the poll but didn't. That option would have been: If you could now trade your totalled out bike for a brand new Valkyrie and pocket 1000 bucks, would you? That's kind of the situation I'm in but didn't want to skew the poll.

I'd also like to know how the F6b sound system performs at highway speed. I was never too impressed with either of my Interstates clarity or speakers. Did Honda up the game on the F6b?

[wiggydotcom]

If your looking for a similar replacement for your Interstate I think you will find that the F6B Deluxe fills the bill nicely. Fuel Injection, Self-Cancelling Turn Signals, Centerstand, Hard Bags and Stereo. Closet thing to a new Supervalk your gonna find! 

I agree, Dave..thanks! If I go the F6b route, spending an extra grand for the deluxe would be a no brainer, imo.

[Dave Ritsema]

I'd also like to know how the F6b sound system performs at highway speed. I was never too impressed with either of my Interstates clarity or speakers. Did Honda up the game on the F6b?

I would say the F6B is at a minimum comparable to the Interstate from a sound standpoint. Both my wife and I can hear the stereo without our headsets at 65 mph on the 19 setting. I do like the convenience of being able to put your phone or MP3 player in your left fairing pocket and plugging it directly to the stereo, or if you have an apple device you can plug in via the USB in the left saddlebag and see and control the songs on the Honda display. We usually use headsets for a longer ride and they always sound good.

[wiggydotcom]

I'd also like to know how the F6b sound system performs at highway speed. I was never too impressed with either of my Interstates clarity or speakers. Did Honda up the game on the F6b?

I would say the F6B is at a minimum comparable to the Interstate from a sound standpoint. Both my wife and I can hear the stereo without our headsets at 65 mph on the 19 setting. I do like the convenience of being able to put your phone or MP3 player in your left fairing pocket and plugging it directly to the stereo, or if you have an apple device you can plug in via the USB in the left saddlebag and see and control the songs on the Honda display. We usually use headsets for a longer ride and they always sound good.

Thanks for that input, Dave. I do have a lot of songs on my Note 4 so I would use that direct plugin. What type of headsets are you using? Are they wired or bluetooth? Do they also function as an intercom? And finally, cost?

[Dave Ritsema]

I'd also like to know how the F6b sound system performs at highway speed. I was never too impressed with either of my Interstates clarity or speakers. Did Honda up the game on the F6b?

I would say the F6B is at a minimum comparable to the Interstate from a sound standpoint. Both my wife and I can hear the stereo without our headsets at 65 mph on the 19 setting. I do like the convenience of being able to put your phone or MP3 player in your left fairing pocket and plugging it directly to the stereo, or if you have an apple device you can plug in via the USB in the left saddlebag and see and control the songs on the Honda display. We usually use headsets for a longer ride and they always sound good.

Thanks for that input, Dave. I do have a lot of songs on my Note 4 so I would use that direct plugin. What type of headsets are you using? Are they wired or bluetooth? Do they also function as an intercom? And finally, cost?

I am using wired Hondaline headsets and they work plenty good enough for me. I am sure there are better out there but for $160 and the dealer installed them for free, works fine. ANd yes, just as the Interstate it has an Intercom function and a weather band as well.

[wiggydotcom]

I'd also like to know how the F6b sound system performs at highway speed. I was never too impressed with either of my Interstates clarity or speakers. Did Honda up the game on the F6b?

I would say the F6B is at a minimum comparable to the Interstate from a sound standpoint. Both my wife and I can hear the stereo without our headsets at 65 mph on the 19 setting. I do like the convenience of being able to put your phone or MP3 player in your left fairing pocket and plugging it directly to the stereo, or if you have an apple device you can plug in via the USB in the left saddlebag and see and control the songs on the Honda display. We usually use headsets for a longer ride and they always sound good.

Thanks for that input, Dave. I do have a lot of songs on my Note 4 so I would use that direct plugin. What type of headsets are you using? Are they wired or bluetooth? Do they also function as an intercom? And finally, cost?

I am using wired Hondaline headsets and they work plenty good enough for me. I am sure there are better out there but for $160 and the dealer installed them for free, works fine. ANd yes, just as the Interstate it has an Intercom function and a weather band as well.

Nice! Ty. The wife doesn't go with me much anymore but I stll have the chatterbox wireless headsets for communication but the wired setup might be the way to go to listen to tunes and communicate.

[Dennis from Blythe]

Nice! Ty. The wife doesn't go with me much anymore but I stll have the chatterbox wireless headsets for communication but the wired setup might be the way to go to listen to tunes and communicate.
[/quote]

My wife doesn't ride with me anymore either. So I did not set my bike up to use the intercom function. A plug and play adaptor is needed for the passengers intercom setup.   

What I have done is I went wireless. I use a Bluetooth headset connected to my phone to listen to music, make and receive a phone call.

Also what I have done, is I put all my music from my phone, plus added more music from my computer and put it on one of them USB gizmos, and I plugged that USB into the USB connector in the left side bag and listen to music through the onboard stereo system.  A taller windscreen is needed to hear the music better though. The one that Honda provides is kinda useless. With the tinted 11" windscreen I added, I hear my onboard music just fine with the volume turned up between 7-10, max is I believe 29-30.

 

[wiggydotcom]

What I have done is I went wireless. I use a Bluetooth headset connected to my phone to listen to music, make and receive a phone call.

Also what I have done, is I put all my music from my phone, plus added more music from my computer and put it on one of them USB gizmos, and I plugged that USB into the USB connector in the left side bag and listen to music through the onboard stereo system.  A taller windscreen is needed to hear the music better though. The one that Honda provides is kinda useless. With the tinted 11" windscreen I added, I hear my onboard music just fine with the volume turned up between 7-10, max is I believe 29-30.

 

Dennis,
I also have a nice Bluetooth headset-the LG900. Because of the ability to also take phone calls, I was using that going to Spearfish and it worked out well.
It almost negates some of the advantage of an F6b over what could be added to a Valk. I'm still a day away from home but it looks like I still have some homework, starting off with riding them both.

[F6Dave]

I have both an F6B and a Valkyrie Interstate.  I think the F6B sound system is much better.  I've read that Honda made significant upgrades a few years ago, which required them to add that large amp unit that hides in front of the rear fender.

It's louder and clearer with better bass.  It also plays digital music (MP3, etc.) directly from a flash drive or iPod, and displays album/artist/track info on the LCD screen.  It even has a weather band.

It does have minor shortcomings.  The shorty antenna cuts the reception range.  And, I miss the old Valk's feature to switch between presets from the handlebar pod.  But overall, it is a far better system IMO.

[jimmytee]

I can hear my stereo on my F6B very well at speeds over 80  mph  ...

  but it ain't stock.

Actually , with the original setup, once I had replaced the near useless stock windscreen, I could hear my stereo just fine going down the highway. Now , I actually jam going down the highway.

[Dennis from Blythe]

I can hear my stereo on my F6B very well at speeds over 80  mph  ...

  but it ain't stock.

Yes, Jimmy's bike stereo sound system is like sitting in a live concert hall.  

Very nice   

[wiggydotcom]

Thanks guys! Your info and opinions are good to know. I'd like to know more about what you've added, jimmy but I'm sure there are folks who wish this thread would die-like yesterday!
I'd be happy to continue these thoughts in the 1800 section.
Thanks to all who've contributed!

[Rams]

I'd own an F6B if it even slightly resembled a classic Valkyrie.   

We all have our own opinions but it simply isn't appealing to my eye (almost FUGLY) and since I'm the one making those payments, that matters to me.   Others obviously approve of it's styling, no problem with that.     

Good luck in whatever you decide to do and enjoy whatever you decide to ride. 

[Tropic traveler]

The stock F6B seat sucks just like the original Valkyrie seat did. There are 2 Ultimates, a Mustang, & of course the Russell Day-Long available to rectify that situation. Many windshield choices, we chose a Klockwerks dark tinted.
A company called MP3 makes a properly sized very nice looking luggage rack for the B. Kury makes multi position risers to get the bars just right for you. Rivco makes some cool looking highway pegs that mount into the valve covers & hide away real nice when you aren't using them.
The F6B is nothing more than a slightly stripped down 'Wing so most all of the farkles that have been developed for the GW also fit if you are so inclined.  
I'll see if I can get some pics of some of our add ons.

[Mr Whiskey]

I jus' gotta know, have you rode that F6B yet Bro?
I'm bettin' you're gonna love it!

[wiggydotcom]

Thanks, Rams and Tropic Traveler for your insights. TT, you've given me some good leads to check into. Thanks!
Whiskey, I've been up at my lakehouse in Wisc for a long weekend so nothing will get moving for another week or so. Have to wrap up things with the old Valk-title transfer, settlement check, etc. I'm pretty sure I'm leaning towards  2013 F6b deluxe in Black..

[jimmytee]

I like my Corbin seat

[RainMaker]

The option I am thinking about would be to move on but to a smaller bike as I don't see a lot of long distance trips in my future.