Question about backing the F6B

[stepbill]

I'm 58 years old/young, currently ride a Honda VTX1300R and have had a total left knee replacement. The knee is strong and I do not limp from the surgery or even feel it. I am strongly thinking about getting a F6B if I can have it painted prior to picking it up and my main question is, how hard is it to back up by pushing it with your legs? I know the Goldwing has reverse but I prefer the look of the F6b over the wing. Thanks for your thoughts!

[F6BPDX]

On flat ground its no more difficult than my previous bike, which was 250lbs lighter. If I mess up and park in a spot that is downhill its a whole different story.

[motozeke]

I'm 58 years old/young, currently ride a Honda VTX1300R and have had a total left knee replacement. The knee is strong and I do not limp from the surgery or even feel it. I am strongly thinking about getting a F6B if I can have it painted prior to picking it up and my main question is, how hard is it to back up by pushing it with your legs? I know the Goldwing has reverse but I prefer the look of the F6b over the wing. Thanks for your thoughts!

It has been far easier to back up than I thought it might be. I have yet to run into a situation I couldn't easily pedal out of from the saddle, but obviously it's not impossible to go wrong. Like with any bike, you need to mind where you park--but I don't think you need to be too concerned about it.

[MichaelG]

StepBill, it is quite easy to back up the F6B. First, it weighs less than a normal Goldwing. Second, the OEM seat height is lower than a nornal Goldwing. Third, with no trunk on the back, it is easy to see behind you :icon_wink:

A more important piece of imformation that you left out is...what is your inseam? That makes a difference on planting the feet, and getting a good footing for backing the bike up. If you are 5'9" or taller, and have a 29" inseam or longer, than you will be fine for backing this bike up.

Oh, I forgot.....Hi, StepBill, and welcome to the forum .welcome20.

[stepbill]

StepBill, it is quite easy to back up the F6B. First, it weighs less than a normal Goldwing. Second, the OEM seat height is lower than a nornal Goldwing. Third, with no trunk on the back, it is easy to see behind you :icon_wink:

A more important piece of imformation that you left out is...what is your inseam? That makes a difference on planting the feet, and getting a good footing for backing the bike up. If you are 5'9" or taller, and have a 29" inseam or longer, than you will be fine for backing this bike up.

Oh, I forgot.....Hi, StepBill, and welcome to the forum .welcome20.

I'm really tall at 5'9" 1/2 and my inseam is 29". Sounds like a winner!

[FlyinF]

I'm old and tired at 66, vertically challenged at five eight with tired legs and find the F6 to be no more difficult to handle than any other big bike, actually easier...................just mind where you park.

[Ericb445]

If I ever get into a spot where I can't back my bike while I'm on the bike, I just get off and just walk it while standing along side it. I find it pretty easy.

[Darkknight]

I'm almost mid 50's with a damaged right knee, 5'10" on a good day, with a 30-32 inseam.

This F6B is much easier to back up than my last bike, (1997 Yamaha Royalstar 1300). I stay aware of how I park and pay attention to inclines. As was already mentioned, the seat height and low center of gravity make this bike seem easier to back up. Now, parking nose down or on grass may be quite a different story.
I was VERY suprised how easy this bike moves being so much heavier than my last bike.

[Hornblower]

I'm 58 years old/young, currently ride a Honda VTX1300R and have had a total left knee replacement. The knee is strong and I do not limp from the surgery or even feel it. I am strongly thinking about getting a F6B if I can have it painted prior to picking it up and my main question is, how hard is it to back up by pushing it with your legs? I know the Goldwing has reverse but I prefer the look of the F6b over the wing. Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi, neighbor! I've over here near Winston-Salem. I hope this works out for you to join our F6B group. Solid advice given so far on this thread, BTW. I have a 30" inseam and the only trouble I've had backing so far has been on inclines (no matter how small) and gravel surfaces. On level, paved surfaces, you should have no trouble at all. Like others have mentioned, you do need to be extra careful and think ahead when choosing a parking spot.

[JBnAZ]

I echo Hornblower - if there is any amount of incline or a small bump the bike shows it's weight and is hard to back up. I'm 5'11 32 inch inseam and a pretty strong guy. As others have mentioned, proper planning when parking makes this a non issue.

Or have the other riders that will be gathered around checking out your ride give you a hand! :041: not that kind of hand.......

[Steve 0080]

The first thing you think off when pull into a parking is is how am i going to get out go here!!! The reason I installed reverse in my 03 Ultra !!! With that toy it does not matter…the bike will go backwards at 40 MPH….. now the F6B , for me is very easy to back up even when I have my trailer attached. Like every thing else a little planning goes a long way!!!


Welcome to the board !!!

[bobbyf6b]

Always park facing uphill. Then gravity will help you back up.

[Deer Slayer]

Park up hill, up hill. :banghead: :cheers:

[ff73148]

I'm 65, 5'10". I've owned a VTX1300R and like all V-Twin cruisers the weight is up high. With our flat six the weight is low. I find it easier to walk this bike than most cruisers and sport tourers I've owned.

[opas ride]

I am 74 years old, 5'9" with barely a 29"inseam and have no real issues backing up..Easier in my driveway as it is slanted downward. I put 1/2" higher soles/heels on my boots when I had my 900lb. Victory Vision, as it was a little tough to back up and move..The F6B is no problem for me so far and is much easier to backup/move than my other bike...Just be careful where you park and choose a spot that is not difficult to get out if possible.....No real pressure on the knees that I can see......

[Elin in So. Cal.]

I'm 5' 4" tall on a good day, and I can back the bike as long as there isn't an obstruction to stop the rear wheel. That means when I pull into the garage, I have to be sure not to stop where the asphalt drive has this itty bitty bump before the cement of the garage. I rocked that F6B six times before I had enough gumption to get it over that 1/2 inch spot of asphalt. Dang!

So I always am mindful of where I park, and make a point of having any downhill either on the way forward to clear space, or behind me to make the rolling out of a spot easier. So far I haven't had to ask for help. I'm seriously not above doing that!

[cueman]

Backing up is not a big issue for me. It is leaning it over on the kick stand that I forgot to put down that creates my problems. :crackup: cueman

[RT59]

Learning to ride the bike to match your mechanics is the key. Planning ahead and using gravity are two of the tools that help make light work backing big bikes. Using small steps as you move the bike is helpful too - sandy surfaces will not be your friend.

My limitation is that I also have a right knee that is easily injured. As long as I remember the mechanics of the knee and the physics of moving the mass, I seldom find myself in a difficult situation. The couple of times that it a has happened, I ask a stranger if they could give me a push and they happily helped me. I've done the same over the years for a few riders who couldn't quite muster the power to overcome the angle.

-R

[Westernbiker]

But go to your local Honda dealer and try it.

[Hook]

Always park facing uphill. Then gravity will help you back up.After I got my F6B there where're and still are so many things I had to learn and parking was a big part. It makes it kind of hard (but not imposable) for me to do with one hand. So one of the things do I back in on the down hill side.dickie-deals.

[Bruce B]

I'll be 71 in a couple of months, have a 29-30 inch inseam, and have had three total knee replacements (there's a near fatal story there). I have no problem backing the F6B and find it to be easier to back than my Valkyrie was. As stated here by many others, some awareness and planning when parking will prevent any problems. I had always thought, with the Valkyrie, that the day would come when I'd have to move to a smaller, lighter bike. I find the F6B so manageable in parking, backing, etc., that now I may never have to go smaller.