Things a new bike owner needs to consider

[53driver]

Forum Members - my goal here is to amalgamate our 1000s of years' experience with the F6B to help new owners, be it a new bike with 000000 on the odo, or a used ride that is "new to them."

Things we put in every new post from someone welcoming them aboard.
Like:

- Check your final drive oil and don't change it until the Owners Manual says to do so.
- Get your seat and footpegs squared away before your windscreen
- BigLry's "break-in" advice
- LgJhn's air intake modification with air cleaner change
- Paint is not the best feature on this bike
- Come to the rally
- Do the radio-key thing for the bags/gas cap/accessory cubby
-etc.

Please populate this thread with all your good ideas and I'll make it a "Sticky"

Much thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Steve

[shooter]

#8 Don't give Stro any liguor no matter how much he begs.

[stroguy]

#8 Don't give Stro any liguor no matter how much he begs.

Prick beat me to a post lol. Damn your quick.

F6B cubby is so convenient to have an onboard tire pressure gauge.

[53driver]

#8 Don't give Stro any liguor no matter how much he begs.


Prick beat me to a post lol. Damn your quick.

Boys, behave. Don't make me tell your grandmother!

[shooter]

Ha!!!!!! Don't give Granny any liquor either. She's the one started giving it to Stro.

[shooter]

53 , I'm sorry. I'm on point now. I'm gonna cone up with something good. I hope.

[53driver]

53 , I'm sorry. I'm on point now. I'm gonna cone up with something good. I hope.

"I hate waiting...."
Inigo Montoya - The Princess Bride

[Phantom]

Ignore the "Ticking - Clicking" sound from the engine … no it is not a sewing machine or your valves ticking, it's your fuel injectors --> it's normal
Raise your Tire air pressures to 40 - 42 LBS
USE 87 octane Gasoline, engine is designed for this low octane fuel.
Change Brake and Clutch fluids every 2 years
Change radiator fluid every 3 years with SILICATE FREE radiator fluid
If you have the cold engine stumble, change your Denso spark plugs to the NGK brand (has eliminated the stumble for several owners)
Adjust rear suspension before ordering a new seat
Check Brake pads at 20,000 miles and every 5,000 miles thereafter until a new set is installed

My personal preferences …..
Change the engine oil and filter at every 5,000 mile interval on the odometer (easy to remember even though Honda recommends 8,000 miles after the initial 4,000 mile oil change. Use Shell Rotella T6 (Yes, it's a Diesel engine oil, however it is also classified as JASO-MA (Motorcycles))
Replace standard 2" oil filter with the longer 3" BOSCH 3323 premium oil filter
Purchase the additional Factory 4 year Extended Warranty BEFORE your original 3 year warranty expires.
Always keep battery on a tender when bike is parked in the garage.
Add more chrome :duck:

[shooter]

ADD MORE CHROME !!!!! I told you it would be earth shattering 53.

[seadog]

Forum Members - my goal here is to amalgamate our 1000s of years' experience with the F6B to help new owners, be it a new bike with 000000 on the odo, or a used ride that is "new to them."

Things we put in every new post from someone welcoming them aboard.
Like:

- Check your final drive oil and don't change it until the Owners Manual says to do so.
- Get your seat and footpegs squared away before your windscreen
- BigLry's "break-in" advice
- LgJhn's air intake modification with air cleaner change
- Paint is not the best feature on this bike
- Come to the rally
- Do the radio-key thing for the bags/gas cap/accessory cubby
-etc.

Please populate this thread with all your good ideas and I'll make it a "Sticky"

Much thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Steve

If you find that your final drive oil is very low like 1 to 1.5 ounces left in the reservoir call Honda service in California the number is in the owners manual and report same to them so if later on down the road your final drive goes out your drive whether in warranty or not will be covered by Honda. I did that when I discover I had only one ounce of oil in my final drive with 2965 miles on a brand new bike. They take the report and keep it so if any problems later your covered. Oh yes and more chrome will get you home! Unfortunately Shooter and I disagree on what to do first as the very first thing I got rid of was that 10 cent windshield as I hate eating bugs. Had a Bagger shield on it before it even left the showroom floor.

[53driver]

ADD MORE CHROME !!!!! I told you it would be earth shattering 53.

Shooter: consider my world is shattered.....

Thanks Tony & SeaDog.

Anyone else got good advice/hints/tips/tricks/traps?

[shooter]

OK 53. I finally sobered up. Here it is. I've only been riding for 48 years so from time to time I feel a need to practice my slow speed maneuvers. This may sound silly to some but it really helps when you get in a tight spot. This is one of the heaviest , longest bikes you will crawl on. Tight turns at slow speeds can be challenging. If you have a passenger on board it multiplies the pucker factor. Find you a vacant parking lot and give it a try. It will increase your fun factor.

[pilotguy299]

a spare key, in your wallet or hung around your neck.

[53driver]

OK 53. I finally sobered up. Here it is. I've only been riding for 48 years so from time to time I feel a need to practice my slow speed maneuvers. This may sound silly to some but it really helps when you get in a tight spot. This is one of the heaviest , longest bikes you will crawl on. Tight turns at slow speeds can be challenging. If you have a passenger on board it multiplies the pucker factor. Find you a vacant parking lot and give it a try. It will increase your fun factor.

Aye! Great point!
I keep forgetting that this bike does have a significantly longer wheelbase than "most" other bikes, which makes it more stable, and, per physics, less maneuverable. Especially at slower speeds.
Yes Shooter - doing some parking lot practice (two spots is ~20' = a two lane road width) to practice slow speed turns, U turns, braking, and swerving is imperative to learning how to ride this girl.

I also would suggest taking the BRC2 and/or ARC courses which puts you and the "6" through the paces in a controlled environment.

Excellent - thank you good sir!

[Retired Army]

The number one item on the thing a new bike owner needs to consider list is keep the co-owner in the loop and extremely happy.

[53driver]

The number one item on the thing a new bike owner needs to consider list is keep the co-owner in the loop and extremely happy.

True words for any purchase a married man makes over $15......

[Kdarmy]

Remove every cover you can on the bike and locate all the rubber grommets...I can almost bet you are already missing one or two. Mine was even when brand new.

Easiest way to make sure you never lose another one is to attach a micro zip-tie around everyone you can...they don't have to be tight, they just have to be on...It guaranties you won't lose them anymore.

You will come across some which are just a push in button type...for these, remove and add some silicone to the hole and replace the grommet.

And while you have the covers off and some zip-ties...now is also a good time to hide a spare key in there somewhere with one.

Keith'dark-side'

[53driver]

Remove every cover you can on the bike and locate all the rubber grommets...I can almost bet you are already missing one or two. Mine was even when brand new.

Easiest way to make sure you never lose another one is to attach a micro zip-tie around everyone you can...they don't have to be tight, they just have to be on...It guaranties you won't lose them anymore.

You will come across some which are just a push in button type...for these, remove and add some silicone to the hole and replace the grommet.

And while you have the covers off and some zip-ties...now is also a good time to hide a spare key in there somewhere with one.

Keith'dark-side'

Excellent! Yup, I did that.

[BadDawg]

If you have to ask if it's a good idea its probably not. Especially if you have to ask someone to hold your beer first.

[Hornblower]

I have a thing for LED lights...oh, really? :yikes: So, it won't come as a surprise to many that my tip is to add lighting and make it all LED. Possibly, the easiest and most important ones to add are flashing brake lights and preferably, the LED strobe type. There are several choices installed by various forum members. My favorites have been Federal Signal and HyperLites. These make you much more conspicuous to traffic coming from behind and could literally save your life.

[pilotguy299]

The number one item on the thing a new bike owner needs to consider list is TO NOT HAVE A CO-OWNER!.

fixt for you... lol

[53driver]

Another thread just reminded me of this one:

Check your suspension pre-load and know how to use it.

[jm21ddd15]

Think about your physical condition, before buying the F6. If you can maneuver a 900 lb machine around safely, and back it up manually, in and out of tight spots, with or with out a passenger, then yes buy the bike. It is a great bike!

[unsub]

Forum Members - my goal here is to amalgamate our 1000s of years' experience with the F6B to help new owners, be it a new bike with 000000 on the odo, or a used ride that is "new to them."

Things we put in every new post from someone welcoming them aboard.
Like:

- Check your final drive oil and don't change it until the Owners Manual says to do so.
- Get your seat and footpegs squared away before your windscreen
- BigLry's "break-in" advice
- LgJhn's air intake modification with air cleaner change
- Paint is not the best feature on this bike
- Come to the rally
- Do the radio-key thing for the bags/gas cap/accessory cubby
-etc.

Please populate this thread with all your good ideas and I'll make it a "Sticky"

Much thanks in advance!
Cheers,
Steve

Good idea but we should keep in mind that some our "recommendations" are completely subjective, and don't recommend anything that might void the warranty. Even a simple thing like changing out OEM to LED lighting. Ask me how I know.:icon_frown:

[GaTeach]

Start up/Warm up?

[53driver]

Good idea but we should keep in mind that some our "recommendations" are completely subjective, and don't recommend anything that might void the warranty. Even a simple thing like changing out OEM to LED lighting. Ask me how I know.:icon_frown:

Good point! There are the disclaimers....but since you brought it up, i will ask: OEM to LED lighting voided a warranty?
PLEASE elaborate!

Thanks,
Steve

[53driver]

Start up/Warm up?

Yup - that's a good one!

[unsub]

Good point! There are the disclaimers....but since you brought it up, i will ask: OEM to LED lighting voided a warranty?
PLEASE elaborate!

Thanks,
Steve

I don't want to break up this good thread so I'll send you a PM.

[Old Ryder]

I don't want to break up this good thread so I'll send you a PM.

Please copy me, too please.

[53driver]

registering their VIN here on the board
registering for the exclusive phone number roster

[53driver]

Putting themselves on the map