Short guys and the F6B

[Brasco]

I'm not a card-carrying member of the F6B owners group (yet) but part of the Honda family. I've been riding the VTX 1300R for about seven years -- closing in on 35,000 miles. Lots of life left in my '05 X but really looking to move away from the carburetor and into something with fuel injection, ABS and, of course, more power. So here's the deal. I've always thought the F6B may be too big a bike to move up to given its 800+ lbs. weight. I'm 5'7" and 185 lbs. and showroom visits prove that the bike fits me okay. I haven't had the opportunity to road test yet though. Very interested to hear the thoughts of those who may be . . . ahem . . . vertically challenged and own the F6B. Is the F6B a bike a smaller guy can handle okay in most real-world situations? Thanks!

[shooter]

Look buddy imnot a small guy. Knowing and riding and doing my own wrenching for 45 years I've learned s few things. The B has a very low center of gravity. I think mosthiys agree it feels more like a 700 lb bike than an 850 lb bike. It handles extremely light. This thing corners like a dream. I'm always kidding and saying if you raise the.pegs I'm ready for Moto GP. Leave the preload down on the rear shock. That keeps seat height down. They do make a seat that drops you 1 inch. If your legs are in shape I think you will be fine. The B balances a lot better than your VTX.

[wylbur78]

Brasco,

I'm right there with you, actually a little shorter. I'm 5'5" and around 200lbs, I've ridden lots of big bikes and smaller sport bikes and cruisers. I just came off a 2014 Harley Street Glide and the F6b is about 20lbs heavier but it sure doesn't feel like it. It's easier to get off the kick stand without straining, I've almost thrown it over onto the other side due to being used to picking up a more top heavy bike off the kick stand. The F6B carries its weight very low and is much easier to maneuver in traffic and definitely in the parking lots. I can actually turn this bike around within 2 1/2 parking spaces withot any trouble, almost have done it in less than 2 but hesitated. I had my seat cut down on the Harley by 1" and am going to do it on the 6 as well. Having it done at Mean City Cycles in North Carolina. They say they can get around 1 1/2" out of the seat and will narrow it down as well. I'm on the balls of both feet with either my shoes or boots on, but due to me mainly riding by myself I usually just use 1 foot at lights and such. When I'm 2 up I'm almost flat footed and I have the rear adjusted to about 15 click for the preload. Like I said its so much more nimble than what I ever thought it would be. If you can go and test ride one you will definitely like it and just fall in love as I did. I've said it on every post that I've made, I wish I would have bought this first instead of the Harley like I had intended but went the other route because that's what I knew. :icon_doh:
Have a good one and keep the sunny side up and the rubber side down.

[srt8-in-largo]

Hey Brasco, welcome aboard and great first post.

I believe a member of the fairer sex here is 5'2" and she handles the bike I'm sure as well as any of us; maybe she'll chime in.

If you handled the bike on a showroom floor... maybe you had a chance to move it back and forth... and maybe roll it out a little bit in a curve? If so, you've experienced about the worst of the effort required to handle the bike. As an experienced rider, you'll likely have very little trouble once the bike is in motion... it's just so well balanced.

As mentioned above, re-working the foam in the OEM seat can bring you noticeably closer to the ground. A lot of this effect is from removing foam from the sides of the seat.

[Sorcerer]

I am 5'6" with a 29" inseam. 194 lbs. I have the stock seat with a short fur sheep skin. With the sport bike like front fork the 6 feels lighter than the Valk I had.

[sshake1905]

Hey Brasco.....Got my F6b last August, after putting 52,000 miles on my 2007 VTX 1300 in less than 5 years....:yes:.
Like yourself....I'm an "inseam challenged" (28") short guy at 5'8"..:icon_biggrin:..beefed up to 245..:yikes:..the VTX was a great fit for me, but
To get real flat-footed on my new F6....added a Mustang seat and Kuryakyn 3/4" drop mini boards foot pegs and I am lovin it...:clap2:
This new F6 has the lowest center of gravity and the best handling of anything I have owned in the last 50 years of riding...:yes:

you will love what you did when you pull the trigger on a new F6B:lolup:

Shaker

[Auldy]

Hi All

Like Brasco, I am not a card-carrying member of the F6B owners group. I joined the group to gain a greater insight into the bike, the owners and overall community

In American terms I am 170lb with a 29" inseam. At 58 years young I am currently on bike number 17 a 2014 Harley Street Glide, being my first Harley.

I did quite a bit of research prior to purchase also taking into account the F6B, however, at the time it was not known if the Australian model would have ABS
and there was no cruise control which unfortunately put it out of the running. My riding is generally two up with the Minister for Finance on the back, at this stage
I am not greatly impressed with the Harley rear suspension for two up riding with gear

I would be interested in Wylbur78 comments in relation to the two bikes having been a previous Street Glide owner.

The last Honda I owned was a 350/4 many years ago. The 2015 F6B has just been released in Sydney so I will be attending a dealership and having a look / see
since they now have cruise.

I am finding this Forum a great source for information and also a great bunch of people
Cheers from Sydney:cheers:
Auldy (Ken)

[Brasco]

This is better feedback on my question than I could have imagined. Thanks to all who have chimed in with their thoughts. Ever since first seeing the F6B at a bike show in year one of its production the prospect this may be the 'next' ride has been swirling around in the back of my mind. I've also been seriously looking at the Triumph Thunderbird LT, but on many levels that bike does not come close on mechanical innovations and creature comforts. Astonishingly, the Bird is also just 15 lbs. lighter wet. Will be riding both when test ride opportunities arise. The input from you all has really helped ease my concerns. Great group on this forum! Thx.

[XKnight]

I'm at a similar height and weight range with a 30" inseam. No problems handling the F6B around a parking lot or anywhere else. Compared to my Road King it feels much more nimble. I did install the Mustang seat to get me down a little lower so that I am totally flat footed. Comfort, handling and power is fantastic on the F6b.

[Jayrock]

Brasco, when (if) we ever get a weekend here in south Calgary where it isn't too cold & the wind isn't screaming like it was last Saturday & Sunday, get in touch with me. You sat on my F6B outside of Dixon's Pub last fall..... let's go for a scoot which will last longer than a Honda test ride. You can ride my bike & I'll hop on your lovely red VTX. I've got the Mustang seat which makes one sit slightly lower. Maybe the weatherman will change his tune about the cool temps expected this weekend....

If you're interested, it would probably be easier to reach me through the Retreads on Facebook, as I'm not on this board every day.

[wylbur78]

Hi All

Like Brasco, I am not a card-carrying member of the F6B owners group. I joined the group to gain a greater insight into the bike, the owners and overall community

In American terms I am 170lb with a 29" inseam. At 58 years young I am currently on bike number 17 a 2014 Harley Street Glide, being my first Harley.

I did quite a bit of research prior to purchase also taking into account the F6B, however, at the time it was not known if the Australian model would have ABS
and there was no cruise control which unfortunately put it out of the running. My riding is generally two up with the Minister for Finance on the back, at this stage
I am not greatly impressed with the Harley rear suspension for two up riding with gear

I would be interested in Wylbur78 comments in relation to the two bikes having been a previous Street Glide owner.

The last Honda I owned was a 350/4 many years ago. The 2015 F6B has just been released in Sydney so I will be attending a dealership and having a look / see
since they now have cruise.

I am finding this Forum a great source for information and also a great bunch of people
Cheers from Sydney:cheers:
Auldy (Ken)

Afternoon Auldy,
I bought my 2014 Street Glide Special last July after a lot of contemplating between it, the F6B and the Victory series bikes. I went with the Harley due to the other half not completely liking the looks of the F6B even though she was ok with the engine life span and such. I researched these 3 bikes for almost 3 months before buying the Harley. I just could not convince her at that time, or myself (partly due to wanting an American made or company owned bike) Now I will say there are things I miss about my Harley... Which would mainly be the big nav screen and the blue toothe connectivity from the factory. The Victory was too cheap feeling to me with the controls. There were mixed reviews about the cruise and switches getting water in them, but nothing negative about the ride or comfort of the bikes. I had owned several Harley's over the years so I knew everything was robust on them and with the Rushmore upgrades, I thought it would have fixed the ride comfort (death wobble included) on them as well. After all the research I did the one thing I didn't do was a test ride on all three bikes,:icon_doh::banghead: if I would have done that there would have never been a question about not buying the F6B. I traded in my Street Glide due to the ride comfort being so crappy. I ride 100 miles a day to and from work and is my main mode of transportation and feeling every nook, cranny and bump in the road along with the jarring of my ass just wore me out. When I rode 2 up and adjusted the suspension for us it rode better, definitely smother out over the bumps but still was not comfortable for us. Riding the 6 is like riding an oversized sport bike down the road and with the weight of the bike it is just so smooth. I can ride over the same bumps and imperfections in the roads as I did with the Harley and its almost like their not even there, now I still feel the really big bumps and such but the harshness is no where near what the Harley was. It doesn't jar my ass and back like the Harley did and the vibration is almost non existent. I'm not even tired or worn out when I get to work or home, I'm wanting to ride it all the time it's so pleasing and comfortable. I don't feel like I'm fighting the bike, I feel like I'm part of the bike instead. I bought the 2015 so I have cruise and that was the main thing that kept me from really pushing my wife to let me buy it over the Harley. If the 2013 or 14 would have had cruise she would not have had a fighting chance. :spank::spank:Haha... I really love this bike and I ride the crap out of it , I just hope it last as long as they say they do. If not I'll just go buy another and keep going.

I hope this helps.

[wantone]

I've started to feel more comfortable on F6b but not 100% satisfied yet. I've just put on 1" Lower Progressive front shocks, Mustang seat and I'm still not able to flat foot. Just other day I was trying to push the bike back and was not able to do it cuz I was on tip toes. I've started to wonder if I shud spend some money and add Lower wing link or Just buy the used goldwing that has reverse and convert it to F6B.

I don't know yet but I'll keep thinking. After many bikes I like the goldwing but I need to figure out the height thing. Either I'll spend some money on F6 to make it suit me or I'm buying Goldwing, chopping of the trunk and lower it.

I wonder if 1" Lower progressive's fit Goldwing. It is F6 specific per product info.

[jellybean]

I am 5'3" , 120 lbs and with our short riding season in Canada here I clock almost 10K since July14. Believe in yourself...:)

PT

[motozeke]

I have a 29" inseam and weight is a non-issue as long as you're not obsessed about flat footing and you don't park with your front tire downhill. This is just not a problem on this bike.

It's all about the center of gravity, as others have said. I also own a sub-500 lb Multistrada which has a much higher center of gravity and trust me that bike is much more of a handful to get off the stand and to maneuver at low speeds.

[Auldy]

Thanks to Wylbur78 for your comments and info

To Brasco, I also looked at the Thunderbird LT, no Cruise Control and after checking with Triumph Australia,
the spoked wheels use tubes in the tyres. I dread the thought of trying to remove a wheel to replace a tube
on a country road on a bike with only a side stand.

I dropped into my local Honda dealer today, the 2015 F6B Australian model is $25,000 AUD plus on road,
it does however come with Cruise Control and Reverse. Have booked a test ride for a weeks time

Cheers
:cheers:
Auldy

[Brasco]

Thanks to Wylbur78 for your comments and info

To Brasco, I also looked at the Thunderbird LT, no Cruise Control and after checking with Triumph Australia,
the spoked wheels use tubes in the tyres. I dread the thought of trying to remove a wheel to replace a tube
on a country road on a bike with only a side stand.

I dropped into my local Honda dealer today, the 2015 F6B Australian model is $25,000 AUD plus on road,
it does however come with Cruise Control and Reverse. Have booked a test ride for a weeks time

Cheers
:cheers:
Auldy

Keep us posted on how things go, Auldy. Again, thanks for the great feedback everyone. Jayrock -- I remember riding the Highwood Pass with you last season. I'll be in touch directly!

[blackmetoc]

I have about a 29" to 30" inseam, and am 5'7" Once moving, it is very easy. I have to tippy toe at lights and can bounce easily between the two sides. It handles well, is very well balanced, and is comfortable to ride. I will say that stopped, it is wide and I have to split wide to stand. Also, it is a heavy bike, so park it such that you can move it and not have to back up a hill to get out of the spot.

[shortleg0521]

I'm not a card-carrying member of the F6B owners group (yet) but part of the Honda family. I've been riding the VTX 1300R for about seven years -- closing in on 35,000 miles. Lots of life left in my '05 X but really looking to move away from the carburetor and into something with fuel injection, ABS and, of course, more power. So here's the deal. I've always thought the F6B may be too big a bike to move up to given its 800+ lbs. weight. I'm 5'7" and 185 lbs. and showroom visits prove that the bike fits me okay. I haven't had the opportunity to road test yet though. Very interested to hear the thoughts of those who may be . . . ahem . . . vertically challenged and own the F6B. Is the F6B a bike a smaller guy can handle okay in most real-world situations? Thanks!
I am 5 ft 6in and a 27 in inseam and I love this bike. I loved it so much my street glide is out of here.
I installed mc cruise cruise control on mine because it is a 2013 model.
To me that was all it was missing, with a bag on the passenger seat and a small one on the rear rack you can go anyplace.

shortleg

[opas ride]

I've started to feel more comfortable on F6b but not 100% satisfied yet. I've just put on 1" Lower Progressive front shocks, Mustang seat and I'm still not able to flat foot. Just other day I was trying to push the bike back and was not able to do it cuz I was on tip toes. I've started to wonder if I shud spend some money and add Lower wing link or Just buy the used goldwing that has reverse and convert it to F6B.

I don't know yet but I'll keep thinking. After many bikes I like the goldwing but I need to figure out the height thing. Either I'll spend some money on F6 to make it suit me or I'm buying Goldwing, chopping of the trunk and lower it.

I wonder if 1" Lower progressive's fit Goldwing. It is F6 specific per product info.
I am 5'9" (barely) 75 yrs old and have a short 29"inseam...With the Mustang seat and a 1/2" higher sole and heel added to my boots by a local shoe shop, I can push my bike backwards on my toes fairly easily and the pattern the bootmaker used is great with a "cleat-like" design that prevents slipping. I can now "flat-foot" at stops for the most part and feel very confident with my F6B in traffic and at stops....Ride safe....