Originally Posted by
VStarRider
Why, hello. I have been to and through your city many times. Beautiful, and much to offer.
As for the F6B...not sure what your questions are, but I will tell you three things I like about mine (9600 miles, 1.5 years ownership) and three things I don't like. I came off of a traditional cruiser, like your Harleys.
Here is the positive, in my opinion:
Handling. This was the biggest surprise for me. For a 900 lb pig, it handles really well. U-turns and figure 8s are easy to do on this machine. This actually makes me feel safer vs. riding my traditional, feet-forward cruisers.
Power. V-twins make a lot of nice, meaty torque below 4000 rpm, then peeter out. This flat six has the most linear power curve of any gasoline engine I have ever operated. Pulling away from a turn down a straightaway, in 4th gear, at 1000 rpm, is no problem. Rev it high, and it pulls hard but not 1400 cc sport-touring bike hard. This engine does not possess a flat spot. I have referred to it as turbine-like power or an electric motor with gears.
Vibration. It does not exist on this bike. This is a major factor in the lack of fatigue when riding long distances. You will not feel anything except grip in your hands and nothing on the pegs except rubber.
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Here is the negative, in my opinion:
No ABS. This is a major omission from a $20,000 bike. Almost every other bike in this price range has it. It almost cost them my purchase. Also missing from 2013 & 14 models is cruise control. Ridiculous.
Controls. The audio system dates back to 1999 and Honda has done little to update it. It's fine, but competitors have Bluetooth stereos, XM radio options, push button start, navigation, etc. An example of the dated audio controls: You can plug in your iPod or smartphone to stream music, but you have little control over playlists, songs, albums. The TUNE toggle switch on the handlebars doesn't take you through preset stations, but just manually tunes to each frequency (93.1, 93.3, 93.5, etc).
Storage. Honda screwed this up too, unnecessarily. You have to use a key to access any compartment, from the bags to the glovebox. That is a PITA. There are many options to resolve this issue on this site, rest assured. However, on a bike with a window sticker that can exceed $20,000, this is not well thought out. As for the bags themselves, while you CAN squeeze most helmets in them, it is not that easy. They open like a clamshell on its back, which is a design remnant from the big brother Gold Wing, which has a trunk above the bags making the only sensible way to design access to the bags through the top and side. Also, one cannot leave the saddlebags unlocked unless the spare key is left in the key slot.
I am sure others will chime in with their thoughts.
This forum is excellent. These guys helped me pick a windshield, taught me how to convert the locking glovebox to one that just requires the turn of a knob, best ways to hook up your iTunes and stream Sirius XM, the best fog light setups, etc, etc.
Know you will have lots of support here if make a move!
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