F6B - my impressions

[north-aurora]

I like the new F6B on pictures, and today I saw it the first time at the Chicago Motorcycle Show. I have to say it's better looking on pictures than in real life.

It is pretty comfortable to sit on, and like the Valk you can't really feel the weight with it's low center of gravity. I do not like the view you have when you're sitting on it, you are basically looking at an instrument panel that has plastic all over, and all the knobs and buttons are made of plastic and it shows. The mirrors are very big and pretty square, which is functional but doesn't look good.

I know now that this thing is not my style.

[Hooter]

  Is the seat really wide where your legs come off of it? Looks really wide near the tank..

   Looks almost like a Gold Valk......

[north-aurora]

  Is the seat really wide where your legs come off of it? Looks really wide near the tank..

   Looks almost like a Gold Valk......

It  is pretty wide there,  but I  did not find it uncomfortable. I  am  pretty tall (6'2),  so your mileage may vary.

[Valhalla]

I was at the powersports show today and was very disappointed that Honda did not have an f6b included in their inventory. I am even more curious now given your observations.  Was kind of hoping it was a 2013 Valkyrie with 1800 cc of fuel injected heaven.    The Honda test drive travelling show comes by in a few months and I am hoping they have something there to try...

[Rams]

Lexington Motor Sports is supposed to have one in March of 13.  Wendi is supposed to call me so the Kentucky Valkyrie Riders can come take gander at it.  She said she try to have it available for test rides.  All I can say is we shall see. 

The Honda advertising got my attention about the F6B but, based on the pics I've seen of it, it ain't a Valkyrie, it doesn't have as much class.  But, I'd like to at least ride one to form my own opinion.

[Jack B]

I was also there on Sat. I sat on the F6B a few times.  Lots of people liked it even some H.D. guys. I also liked it. It was easy to mount with the low seat. But it felt wide and looked wide. When I'm ready to buy that might be the bike for me. The Valkyrie is not coming back. I also liked the Yamaha FJR and the Triumph Trophy. Both bikes less than $20,000 and all the power, storage and handling than I need.  

[Jabba]

Is it anything more than a Gold-Wing with the rear luggage stripped off?

Jabba

[hairyteeth]

Is it anything more than a Gold-Wing with the rear luggage stripped off?
if less is more, less 6th gear,less abs, less reverse, less air ride which lowers it 6 tenths of an inch over GW.
HT

[sandy]

Wings don't have air ride. They're rear shock is hydraulic and adjusted by a pump to add preload. The F6B has a manual adjustment under a side cover.

[f6john]

      I think the bean counters won. A lot more could have been done to the GW platform to make it more appealing, almost all of it being a more traditional approach to the body work and styling. They will sell as the 1800 is a great platform to start from but I doubt it will be the home-run it could have been.



     I was hoping to see one here locally myself but the owner of the Honda dealership for the past 40+ years has called it quits. There is talk that the Victory dealer will try to obtain the dealership but you never know about such things.

[fudgie]

Whats the price?

[Charlie McCready]

fudgie.....base price is $19,999

[f-Stop]

Got a call from my local dealer Thursday (Feb 7th)...their first F6B just got in and they will have it assembled and ready for the showroom ASAP! 

Guess where I'm going first chance I get?

[Warlock]

I like the new F6B on pictures, and today I saw it the first time at the Chicago Motorcycle Show. I have to say it's better looking on pictures than in real life.

It is pretty comfortable to sit on, and like the Valk you can't really feel the weight with it's low center of gravity. I do not like the view you have when you're sitting on it, you are basically looking at an instrument panel that has plastic all over, and all the knobs and buttons are made of plastic and it shows. The mirrors are very big and pretty square, which is functional but doesn't look good.

I know now that this thing is not my style.

Honda shop in Brookhaven, Ms got 2 of them. Went Thursday and looked at them. They only had the red one on the floor. Sat on it. I'm around 5' 10" and it spread my legs too wide. It looks ok and it is lower to the ground. But the seat spread my legs so far I lost what advantage it was lowered. All controls blacked out and looked cheap made. It does have more room in the cot pit. Worth the money they are asking, to me no. Would like to test ride one. I think they should have left the reverse in it .

[north-aurora]

I liked this new Honda at the show much better than the F6B...



   

[Chattanooga Mark]

I thought the F6B was a huge hit for Honda. I was at the Chicago show Friday and Saturday and it gathered approving crowds with many positive comments. It was MUCH easier to mount and lift off the side stand than either my Valk Interstate or my Moto Guzzi California Vintage. My brother couldn't believe how effortless it was to raise off the side stand compared to his BMW R1200R.
I'm only 5'10" but found the seat extremely comfortable. My feet were flat to the ground with plenty of knee bend. So the weight (62lbs?) it lost over the standard Gold Wing makes all the difference in the world. As does the seat. The F6B carries its center of gravity MUCH lower than a Valyrie making it seem much less a handful to muscle around. IMHO one of the worst aspects of the Valkyrie weight disposition is that nearly 7 gallons of fuel makes the bike a bit top heavy. The GW/F6B carrying fuel so it low makes for a much lighter feeling motorcycle.

All in all, they have a winner on there hands.

Mark

[jammer]

I saw it, sat on it, checked it out & talked to the Honda rep.
I was unimpressed.  No reverse, no self cancel turn signals, no nav. no center stand, cheap looking passenger pegs which looked like bent round bar.   Think I  would go for a wing instead. 

[steve 3054]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Gold-Wing-ALL-NEW-2013-Honda-Goldwing-F6B-IN-STOCK-NOW-OTD-PRICE-Can-custom-paint-/271153730174?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3f2205927e


Let the price wars begin!

[Chattanooga Mark]

I saw it, sat on it, checked it out & talked to the Honda rep.
I was unimpressed.  No reverse, no self cancel turn signals, no nav. no center stand, cheap looking passenger pegs which looked like bent round bar.   Think I  would go for a wing instead. 

     They're making two versions of the F6B but neither will have reverse or navigation. Everything else you posted about will be included. I think the upgraded version adds self canceling turn signals, a center stand, heated grips and a passenger back rest. They also showed an optional rear luggage rack which looked nice.  My guess is that they'll either include reverse on the 2014 model or make it available as an option. Personally I would also want a CB radio option.

All the best,

Mark

[FLAVALK]

I expect Honda to have one in Daytona at their tent during Bike Week. Sure would like to ride it.

[Hooter]

fudgie.....base price is $19,999

   Cracks me up! They just can't say $20,000...I know its sales to do that but it, well you know what I mean.

[G-Man]

.
I'm only 5'10" but found the seat extremely comfortable.

Mark

You are the Perfect height for that bike. 

I'm 6'4" and found it much too uncomfortable.  My hips, knees, and ankles were bendt too much and the handlebars are too low.  Thumbs down.

[BF]

Looks like nothing more than a blacked out, stripped down Gold Wing to me. 

But if Honda would build an updated, modern version of my bike with fuel injection, 6 speeds, abs and a belt drive, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat. 

[wdvalk]

A belt drive? really?

[BF]

A belt drive? really?

Yes really.  It's the one thing Harley has done right. 

That is, unless you really like taking your rear wheel off and servicing it every 10 thousand miles.

[Mr Whiskey]

Looks like nothing more than a blacked out, stripped down Gold Wing to me. 

But if Honda would build an updated, modern version of my bike with fuel injection, 6 speeds, abs and a belt drive, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat. 

Man BF that's one good lookin' ride!

A belt drive? really?

Heck yeah! If a belt will hold a 502 Boss Hoss with NOS, it'll sure hold an 1800 flat 6 injected, (and no "shaft limit" on the top end).
Peace, Whiskey.

[wdvalk]

dont mind doin maint.,Ive helped a couple of harley riders get home after broken belts

[Daniel Meyer]

Belts hold fine...till you put a rock through the pulley.

Once you shaft, ya never go back...