My bet is that Honda learned a few awful lessons with the F6B, we'll see the following standard on the new F6B as a minimum...
1) Cruise Control
2) ABS
3) Canadian Tool Kit
4) Navigation
5) Center Stand
6) High Quality Paint with a Clear Coat
My bet is that Honda learned a few awful lessons with the F6B, we'll see the following standard on the new F6B as a minimum...
1) Cruise Control
2) ABS
3) Canadian Tool Kit
4) Navigation
5) Center Stand
6) High Quality Paint with a Clear Coat
I have road bikes since 1965 without ABS.
I am still here.
Have I had a few catastrophise?
You bet!
The oncoming Vehicle and the LEFT turn scenario will change your religion RIGHT NOW !
You will be forever prepared that one!
After all these years I still depend on my brain to see the situations and clear them.
(situational awareness)
To put blinders on and depend on someone else's technology to make up for my lack of knowhow is the norm.
I would tell you to practice braking.
But you did not ask.
I have helped a few people learn to ride.
Front brake lockups should be in your practice session.
Then rear brake.
Once you know about what it takes, you are much better armed to deal with emergencies.
You need to do this first at low speeds and under various conditions.
Next, NOTHING makes up for situational awareness and a sixth sense that comes with time.
VStarRider,
That is the reason I purchased a spec3 full wing converted to a F6B. The “FrankenB”
I have ABS, cruise, adjustable windshield, heated seat, pegs, grips, GPS, reverse and so on.
The best of both worlds, great looks AND creature comforts.
Hopefully Mother Honda has finally figured out some people want it ALL!!!
Just my opinion.
Ride safe
Rod
If some people want it all... they are going to pay the price for it.Originally Posted by Radical Taz
The F6B was meant to be a slightly stripped down power cruiser; evolved from the Wing.
If you "want it all" be prepared to pay the price.
21 years Army (retired)
...been everywhere, seen everything, done almost everything.
IBA 80537
You are correct on all points and I did pay a premium price which I was happy to do.
The problem was when it was introduced it wasn’t “slightly” stripped but “Completely” stripped and by the time Honda realized that in 2015, it was too late as weak sales have proven.
IMHO
I'm sure many riders have put on thousands of miles without a helmet, and are doing just fine. However, the majority of us would no longer think of riding without a helmet. Many fighter pilots did some incredible flying before ejection seats were invented, yet not a single one today would ever say it isn't absolutely essential.
ABS is one of those technologies which, like the seat belt, the parachute, the helmet and the ejection seat, only comes in handy when all else has failed. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest improvements in automotive technology since it was introduced in the 1970s (in the 1990s for motorcycles). And unlike the helmet or the seat belt, it isn't physically cumbersome or restrictive. It weighs next to nothing and it's completely transparent, patiently waiting to prevent a wheel lock and save a life.
Even the most skilled rider in history isn't safe from all the drunken, texting idiots on the road. ABS is just one more well-documented safety technology that actually saves lives. Someday in the future, everybody will expect all motor vehicles to have ABS. I expect this today, but in the United States (and nowhere else), the Honda F6B doesn't have ABS, not even as an option.
To me, no ABS feels like riding without a helmet or driving without a seat belt – statistically, nothing bad is likely to happen. This time.
On the other hand, an airbag on a motorcycle is ... humm, I can't think of a non-offensive term. But the airbag on the GL-1800 is PINK. I suppose that says something right there.
When riding roads that you don't know how much friction is available, it is impossible for any and I mean ANY rider to out perform ABS. I raced Amateur for a year, I can wear out the passenger foot pegs on many bikes. I can do stop-ies all day. But on unknown roads, which most are, no damn way. AND THATS A FACT JACK!
so for that reason...
I sold my non abs bike, and I am saving for 6 months or so to put a huge down payment on a ABS F6B.
If one has not ever practised, he will never know what he has for traction or their abilities are.
That is why people practice autorotations, engine failures , cars pulling out in front of ya-LOL
Practice is what will tell what to do when crap is about to giveway.
I had a car pull out in front of me -2up last summer from a blind driveway.
On an old funky 1994 Road King!
This was all in a turn also, leaned over pretty good., pretty harry. (my first mistake that day)
Exp. told me when to drop off the back brake and apply even more front.
(I felt the rear lock up)
Without exp I would have been another statistic. Another wreck.
To blindly rely on ABS is insane.
If you think that is all ya need to go for a ride then this means one is miserable uninformed.
Next-Are you saying you cannot out stop ABS with the same bike no ABS?
Most skilled riders can outdo ABS
Do as you wish.
I can tell and smell the ensuing argument.
I will not take part as i have stated the facst and included one link, and a LOT more are available
http://www.superstreetbike.com/motor...ood-riders-too
Thumper, I do not intend for this to turn into an ABS debate thread. It is true that one should not allow a technology to replace riding skills as you mentioned, such as situational awareness. Hell, I would dare say that lane positioning significantly decreases your risk as much! I can't speak for anyone else, but I do not believe that my situational awareness, lane positioning, following distance, etc. would change at all if I am on an ABS bike, thinking I can be more lackadaisical because I have ABS on my side. Hardly. However, I also know that emergency braking occurs in a high panic situation, and knowing that you can divert whatever concentration would be dedicated to keeping those wheels turning to instead evaluating and executing a maneuver, significantly increases the chance of avoidance.
Yesterday, I rode up Rt 28, starting in Forestport and doing a loop around the Fulton Chain using South Shore Rd. You probably know this area, considering your location. South Shore Rd is full of curves and has a canopy of trees covering most of it. There are many driveways. The road was wet with wet leaves in many spots. I used my riding skills considering the circumstances, but this is the kind of situation where I want ABS. Someone does not make a curve and I am in a lean, or a car pulls out and I need to make an emergency stop, my wheels would have locked early in those conditions.
Former Ride:
2013 F6B Standard, black; sold 7/2019
Latest Addition:
2016 Gold Wing Level 3, red; SCT transmission stuck in manual mode
2019 Miles:
7,900 as of 10/6
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