Just how good is your F6B?

[Drive Jehu]

I rolled 90,000 smiles this week on Man-O-War. In 3 1/2 years we have gone forth to conquer the scenic roadways of at least 45 of the lower 48, Alaska, all of the lower Canadian Providences and the Yukon. I'm saving vacation and coin to go back and see all the roads we missed. So much fun along the way! Meeting great folks, hiking, swimming, camping and just being in the wind magically spinning along on 2 wheels.

So just how good is my F6B? What I think is my bike is almost broken in. Runs slick on cheap gas, shifts like butter and is as fast as ever. What I know is that I'm satisfied with this one bike for now and I do not have a real itch for a new one and that's a mouthful for me.

How about you, has your 6 exceeded your expectations? Maybe you broke the 50 mpg barrier? I'd like to hear how you did it. Iron butt ride plus some? Just how far did you go in a day on a 6? So you raced on the Isle of Man in the TT with your Fturob6B and I missed it? Post up your race footage. How good is your F6B?

[motozeke]

I've a long way to go to get to 90K (I'm at 25K now), and I haven't done anything astonishing on it but for enjoying every one of those miles. The bike is set up just the way I want it (though a complete suspension rework is in the cards at some point). Just really hard for me to imagine another bike working as well for me, and I'd probably have to dump $25K or more on it, so why bother? This one just works. See you in another 25K miles.

[opas ride]

Other than my 1999 Valkyrie Tourer, I have not kept a bike as long as my current 2013 F6B purchased in late 2013..Got it set up with all I need and have no plans to look at another bike for now, or maybe never...Runs great, no issues, fast, smooth, comfortable, etc.,etc. and I only have 13,800 miles on it as I don't ride as much as I would like to due to my wife's health issues....Perhaps the day will come when I might look at the market, maybe the 2018 F6B..but as I will be 78 years old soon my riding days are numbered....so I probably will never see 90,000 miles on this bike, but glad to know how reliable they can be....Regards and ride safe

[jm21ddd15]

Yup, got my 2015 F6, set up the way I like it. Only 42000 miles, no need to trade, now. Besides, it's still all speculation about a "new" Wing. Seeing is believing. Not pictures on the internet.

[Jimmytee]

Loving my 2013 F6B. Got 42k miles on her. I also still ride my Valkyrie. Still runs great. I have put quite a nice bundle of cash into her. With Progressive fork cartridges , Arnott Air ride in the rear, all custom stereo, Helibars, Corbin seat, LED lighting and switchbacks and on and on etc... I can't lie, drooling over pics of the new Wing and F6B, but I'll probably be at least doubling my mileage on this bike before really considering another one. :icon_wink:

[pap52]

I want to be out there riding this bike all the time. Wife thinks I'm obsessed. She's right. Wasn't quite this bad with other bikes I've owned, bad but not this bad. 😁

[Kasperwing]

Drive Jehu, thanks for writing that. I need ideas and insight also. I will be buying a new or used F6B in the next 4 to 8 months. I have been wanting one since 2013. I prefer the F6B set up over the full GW. I am struggling whether to buy a used 6B, or wait for the new one....this both from the financial side and knowing what ABS did for me in the past.

{ I used to be able to drag the saddle bags on my BMW K bike. I rode everywhere regardless of weather. More than once at night, behaving, and taking it easy, ABS kept me from going down. This happened when coming to a stop on roads where it was impossible to know how much friction was available etc.}

At 64 now, realizing that my skills will never be what they were, and to go down now, it will be much harder to heal... so doing everything to be safe makes so much sense!

Yet I know that the bike you ride is so great! Right now there are such awesome deals on low milage bikes. Saving over 10K is no small deal. ON the other hand, like many here say, the next bike will be the last. I just sold the last BMW I will ever own. I want a bike that is reliable and safe. I can wait about 4~8 months, save up, and pay cash for the new 6B with ABS. So its a hard decision. If it does have the Duo-Lever on the front, that is also an Incredible step forward in ride compliance, safety, increased fun factor. I weigh all of this against the fact that in 10 to 15 years I won't want to ride so much due to decreasing physical abilities. So I am thinking of getting the new 6B, and ride it into the ground so to speak. It should cost less to own over time... i am guessing.

Thoughts?

[F6B1911]

Yup, got my 2015 F6, set up the way I like it. Only 42000 miles, no need to trade, now. Besides, it's still all speculation about a "new" Wing. Seeing is believing. Not pictures on the internet.

$5.00 says we'll see a new Wing and a new F6B on 10/24/2017.
$0.02 says they'll release them with a paint job better than the 2013 Black F6B.

[Kasperwing]

Damn GOOD!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx2HjxT12nk&t=1s

[GaTeach]

Me and Sweet Georgia go together like soup beans and cornbread.

[53driver]

Isleen is amazing by herself.
Just sitting, waiting, in all her black beauty.
Underneath, her flat 6 and Traxxion suspension wait for their cue.
Turn her on and her light show is awesome and she purrs in anxious anticipation.
Together we are a match made by the riding gods.
We enjoy each other and showing off each other.


...and now back to our regularly scheduled program...

[WEGI]

Hi Drive Jehu;

Best bike I ever owned...handles like a Mini, rides like a Cadillac! I have ridden this bike further in one day than any other in my riding life. 1070 miles in 16 1/2 hours with no intention to do this at start up, it just happened! One of those days where " I can do a few more miles, it's still early..." Next thing I knew I was only 4 hours from home. No sense stopping now!

Kasperwing wrote;
"At 64 now, realizing that my skills will never be what they were, and to go down now, it will be much harder to heal... so doing everything to be safe makes so much sense!""

This is exactly how I feel and why I'm an ATGATT rider. At 70 Bohn Armor, Kevlar reinforced pants and jacket, modular helmet, gloves and riding boots are my best bet against a survivable crash that will end my riding.

All that and a great handling and comfortable bike sure make for a great ride!

WEG

[Drive Jehu]

Drive Jehu, thanks for writing that. I need ideas and insight also. I will be buying a new or used F6B in the next 4 to 8 months. I have been wanting one since 2013. I prefer the F6B set up over the full GW. I am struggling whether to buy a used 6B, or wait for the new one....this both from the financial side and knowing what ABS did for me in the past.

{ I used to be able to drag the saddle bags on my BMW K bike. I rode everywhere regardless of weather. More than once at night, behaving, and taking it easy, ABS kept me from going down. This happened when coming to a stop on roads where it was impossible to know how much friction was available etc.}

At 64 now, realizing that my skills will never be what they were, and to go down now, it will be much harder to heal... so doing everything to be safe makes so much sense!

Yet I know that the bike you ride is so great! Right now there are such awesome deals on low milage bikes. Saving over 10K is no small deal. ON the other hand, like many here say, the next bike will be the last. I just sold the last BMW I will ever own. I want a bike that is reliable and safe. I can wait about 4~8 months, save up, and pay cash for the new 6B with ABS. So its a hard decision. If it does have the Duo-Lever on the front, that is also an Incredible step forward in ride compliance, safety, increased fun factor. I weigh all of this against the fact that in 10 to 15 years I won't want to ride so much due to decreasing physical abilities. So I am thinking of getting the new 6B, and ride it into the ground so to speak. It should cost less to own over time... i am guessing.

Thoughts?

Kasperwing, I had not seen the Honda film you posted - thanks I enjoyed it. New or used? It depends on what will satisfy you. My 2013 F6B was my second new bike purchase in 40 plus years of riding. The first was an early 80's XL 125 that would not die. Other bikes, 750 Shadow, GL1500 and a pile of dirt bikes starting with a girly sparkle blue Trail 70 (when the cool bike was an XR75) were all used. It is normal that I still want a silver tank XR75, right?

It's great getting a new scoot, but heck some of the used one's have an extended warranty with very few miles. As for miles I don't think any of us will find the limit on how far an F6B will go - show me a worn out Honda GL1800. The introduction of a new F6B is exciting but I would rather not own a major redesign of anything in it's first year although I think the odds are much better with a Honda.

Whatever you decide, welcome aboard!

[Drive Jehu]

This is from an oil change while I was away on my Alaska trip this summer. Most Auto Zone's or like stores are glad for you to use their parking lot and will also recycle your old oil. The only tools I carry when traveling are those to plug tires and to change motor oil and also a stock Honda oil filter is packed.

I could tell you about how the bike was broken in when new, how I ride ect. Or about (cringe) the dreaded and sometimes emotional subject of... motor oil, which can't be brought up here because this is a conversation about a motorcycle. :icon_razz: All that IMO has so much less to do with these great results than the fact that we own a masterpiece of engineering built to extremely high standards. Check it out:

http://i.imgur.com/QwQHucn.jpg?1 (https://imgur.com/QwQHucn)

[willtill]

How about you, has your 6 exceeded your expectations? Maybe you broke the 50 mpg barrier? I'd like to hear how you did it. Iron butt ride plus some? Just how far did you go in a day on a 6? So you raced on the Isle of Man in the TT with your Fturob6B and I missed it? Post up your race footage. How good is your F6B?

I can wipe this sucker down in 5 minutes and it is completely clean.

[TandemGeek]

I must confess, the F6B is an amazing machine... probably one of the "best" all around heavy-weight motorcycles I've ever owned or ridden. What it lacks in personality it makes up for with reliability and performance. Is it my favorite bike...??? That's like asking someone which of their children or grandchildren they love the most.

https://ridingtwoup.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/20171001_010736.jpg?w=600

[Kasperwing]

I must confess, the F6B is an amazing machine... probably one of the "best" all around heavy-weight motorcycles I've ever owned or ridden. What it lacks in personality it makes up for with reliability and performance. Is it my favorite bike...??? That's like asking someone which of their children or grandchildren they love the most.

https://ridingtwoup.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/20171001_010736.jpg?w=600


I recognize all of those. Yep you have the bases loaded with some excellent machines. If I had the money, my garage would look similar!! WELL DONE!

[Kasperwing]

Hi Drive Jehu;

Best bike I ever owned...handles like a Mini, rides like a Cadillac! I have ridden this bike further in one day than any other in my riding life. 1070 miles in 16 1/2 hours with no intention to do this at start up, it just happened! One of those days where " I can do a few more miles, it's still early..." Next thing I knew I was only 4 hours from home. No sense stopping now!

Kasperwing wrote;
"At 64 now, realizing that my skills will never be what they were, and to go down now, it will be much harder to heal... so doing everything to be safe makes so much sense!""

This is exactly how I feel and why I'm an ATGATT rider. At 70 Bohn Armor, Kevlar reinforced pants and jacket, modular helmet, gloves and riding boots are my best bet against a survivable crash that will end my riding.

All that and a great handling and comfortable bike sure make for a great ride!

WEG


I know the feeling. Rode to a BMW rally some 1500 miles from home. Took 3 days to get there.
....... a day later, soon time to go home. There was a bloke there that pissed me off. Rather than going to jail, I packed my shit and started riding. The year was 1994, and I was on a 1994 BMW R1100RS. Rode and rode and road. Kept saying a little more. Stopped every 2.5 to 3 hrs for a small bite, and gas. 1,382 miles and 22.40 hours later I was home.

[VStarRider]

I guess my two cents on what I appreciate about this bike are how you don't really have to think about it; just go ride it. I change the oil and filter once per year and use Mobil 1; check the air pressure every few weeks; spray it down with Honda Spray Polish when I feel like it....however, most times, just put my stuff on and go. Doesn't matter how short or far either. I have not once thought about whether or not it will make there, or back, or if I need to orient my route towards a station that has 91 octane fuel, how rough the roads are, or anything.

I have no idea when was the last time I checked the oil.

I think this is a major benefit of owning this proven machine.

[VStarRider]

I know the feeling. Rode to a BMW rally some 1500 miles from home. Took 3 days to get there.
....... a day later, soon time to go home. There was a bloke there that pissed me off. Rather than going to jail, I packed my shit and started riding. The year was 1994, and I was on a 1994 BMW R1100RS. Rode and rode and road. Kept saying a little more. Stopped every 2.5 to 3 hrs for a small bite, and gas. 1,382 miles and 22.40 hours later I was home.

I have mentioned this before...I do not seem to be built for such extended periods of riding. Today, I rode 275 miles from my camp to Old Forge, and back on the NYS Thruway. My butt was getting sore every hour or so, to the point where I could go on but wanted to stop, stretch, to keep the ride enjoyable. I was glad to pull in the garage at 6:00pm, after starting my riding day at 11:30am.

My first 100 miles - no problem - after that, I feel the need to stop every 50 miles or so (perhaps every 80 miles on Interstate travel). All I need is a five minute break and I am good to go again.

I know guys that ride around the country, and have 500-600 mile days; I am afraid to go with them because I will either drive them nuts stopping every hour or be miserable except for the first couple of hours or so.

[RLatt]

I have mentioned this before...I do not seem to be built for such extended periods of riding. Today, I rode 275 miles from my camp to Old Forge, and back on the NYS Thruway. My butt was getting sore every hour or so, to the point where I could go on but wanted to stop, stretch, to keep the ride enjoyable. I was glad to pull in the garage at 6:00pm, after starting my riding day at 11:30am.

My first 100 miles - no problem - after that, I feel the need to stop every 50 miles or so (perhaps every 80 miles on Interstate travel). All I need is a five minute break and I am good to go again.

I know guys that ride around the country, and have 500-600 mile days; I am afraid to go with them because I will either drive them nuts stopping every hour or be miserable except for the first couple of hours or so.

The AirHawk seat pad is what you seek. I have had it for 2 years and 27,000 miles. Just visited the Black Hills - 1380 miles in 4 days - NO problems. An added bonus is that in hot weather, it not only helps prevent monkey-butt, it is also ventilated - which keeps the boys nice and cool.

[VStarRider]

The AirHawk seat pad is what you seek. I have had it for 2 years and 27,000 miles. Just visited the Black Hills - 1380 miles in 4 days - NO problems. An added bonus is that in hot weather, it not only helps prevent monkey-butt, it is also ventilated - which keeps the boys nice and cool.

Thanks. I had a VStar 1100 before the Honda. The seat, despite looking comfy, was unbearable after about 30 minutes. Stinging, numbness, etc.

I carefully considered my options and ordered an Ultimate with a backrest. Felt great at first; but, after a test ride, I sunk further and further down and I felt like I was sitting perpendicularly in a rubber playground swing. The backrest made it worse. It was so painful at times that I almost called my wife to come get me with the trailer. Not kidding. Thank goodness they have a 30 day return policy, though it cost me $80 in shipping both ways.

I returned to the OEM seat and ordered an Airhawk R seatpad. Was a lot better than the Ultimate. It raised me seating position a couple of inches, which was good for my long legs, but required going to a higher windshield. Still...on a long trip...with the Airhawk...I had to stop every 45 minutes or so. I could have gone on further, but I wanted to be comfortable, so I would stop for a few minutes and then resume.

I wonder what my problem is. I also struggle to be comfortable on my snowmobiles. I think I have an usually shaped ass or something. I am wide at the hips, horizontally thin, size 38 waist pants. I wonder if I just need a wider seat to fully support my posterior.

The Honda seat is probably the best one overall, but still doesn't quite do the job. Perhaps I should give the Airhawk another try, or look into a wider seat that supports my thighs and doesn't concentrate all my upper body weight on my wide, but thinly padded ass.

[Kasperwing]

Thanks. I had a VStar 1100 before the Honda. The seat, despite looking comfy, was unbearable after about 30 minutes. Stinging, numbness, etc.

I carefully considered my options and ordered a.... concentrate all my upper body weight on my wide, but thinly padded ass.

Stop messing with it. Just get the Russell Day Long. It is worth it! I have many years experience, tried everything. Biting the bullet as they say and doing the RDL... will let you ride as long as the rest of your body will let. Your Sitter will not dictate how long you ride!

[VStarRider]

Stop messing with it. Just get the Russell Day Long. It is worth it! I have many years experience, tried everything. Biting the bullet as they say and doing the RDL... will let you ride as long as the rest of your body will let. Your Sitter will not dictate how long you ride!


Just spent some time on their website. Looks promising. However, if I am going to be making a move for an ABS-equipped bike in the next couple of years, I do not want to invest in something that costs this much on my current ride. Thanks for the idea for the future, however.

[Kasperwing]

Just spent some time on their website. Looks promising. However, if I am going to be making a move for an ABS-equipped bike in the next couple of years, I do not want to invest in something that costs this much on my current ride. Thanks for the idea for the future, however.

NO problem. There is a remote chance they can re-purpose that seat on a new bike. It would be nice to ride in comfort. Call em !

[Great Gazoo]

Purchased my 2016 F6B Deluxe in Feb of 2017. Pretty cold for a ride home here in Minnesota. Will have about 8000 miles on mine when I put it away....unless the snow holds off then maybe some more. I LOVE this bike. I've added a few extras like a Tall windscreen, LED fog lights, Mustang seat, Kuryakyn Mini boards for the driver, Kyryakyn Transformer floorboards for my passenger, Adjustable mount for the back rest, 12v powerpoint, GlPro shift indicator, Kuryakyn glove box drink holder, and of course a Kuryakyn cell phone holder. I have plans for some custom projects during the snowy months. Tail light & signal modifications for more rear visibility for one. Next season: MORE MILES!

[JackB]

I returned to the OEM seat and ordered an Airhawk R seatpad. Was a lot better than the Ultimate. It raised me seating position a couple of inches, which was good for my long legs, but required going to a higher windshield. Still...on a long trip...with the Airhawk...I had to stop every 45 minutes or so. I could have gone on further, but I wanted to be comfortable, so I would stop for a few minutes and then resumeQUOTE]

If your Airhawk raised you a couple of inches you had too much air in it. You need very little air in it.

[unsub]

Other than my 1999 Valkyrie Tourer, I have not kept a bike as long as my current 2013 F6B purchased in late 2013..Got it set up with all I need and have no plans to look at another bike for now, or maybe never...Runs great, no issues, fast, smooth, comfortable, etc.,etc. and I only have 13,800 miles on it as I don't ride as much as I would like to due to my wife's health issues....Perhaps the day will come when I might look at the market, maybe the 2018 F6B..but as I will be 78 years old soon my riding days are numbered....so I probably will never see 90,000 miles on this bike, but glad to know how reliable they can be....Regards and ride safe

Opa, whatever you're doing keep doing it! We should be so lucky to reach 78 and still ride on 2 wheels! To you sir! :cheers:

[unsub]

I know the feeling. Rode to a BMW rally some 1500 miles from home. Took 3 days to get there.
....... a day later, soon time to go home. There was a bloke there that pissed me off. Rather than going to jail, I packed my shit and started riding. The year was 1994, and I was on a 1994 BMW R1100RS. Rode and rode and road. Kept saying a little more. Stopped every 2.5 to 3 hrs for a small bite, and gas. 1,382 miles and 22.40 hours later I was home.

Just one? At a BMW rally? :icon_lol:

[lloydmoore1]

It's so good that I rode today in the cold. It was a warm 9 Celsius or 50 ish in your slang. Best investment so far has been heated grips, heated seat and the sheep skin. Here are a couple of today's pics;

https://i.imgur.com/3w5IgfI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VOWLTsz.jpg