VStarRider
08-24-2016, 01:21 PM
A 730 mile run (long for me, not for most of you) over four days through New York State, from the rural suburbs of Rochester to my camp in Oswego County...through the Adirondack Mountains to Plattsburgh, NY, across Lake Champlain from Burlington, VT.
I did 110 miles to camp, then 260 the next day to get to Plattsburgh. Surfed a cold front for the entire stretch, staying dry the whole day Sunday.
On my way home Tuesday, I rode up 4900 ft. tall Whiteface Mtn, the only mountain in the Adirondacks with vehicle access.
Took the scenic route through Lake Placid, then a variety of state highways home, covering 360 miles in total on Tuesday.
Nine thoughts after my first trip on the F6B:
1. I bought this bike over a Victory because I was a little tired of Vtwin vibration. Last year, my VStar grew very fatiguing on a similar trip. The six-cylinder Honda made for smooooooooooooooth all day travels with no vibration on the bars or pegs and a pleasant hum under and behind me. Great engine for a long haul.
2. The factory seat is excellent for long rides. I could go up to 100 miles without a break and not have butt problems.
3. Man, this bike eats up the sweeping curves. I purposely looked for curvy, twisty mountain roads in planning my trip. I kept going faster and faster in those turns, with the bike feeling more surefooted at 70 mph than 55.
4. Great highway power - though a 6th upshift would be nice - I did do a sixth shift, but was a result of the uncertainty of whether or not this 2013 transmission was truly in 5th gear.
5. Typically got 45 mpg, a little less heading into a stiff W wind yesterday.
6. Cruise control - not something I miss in the mostly short (under 100 miles) rides I take - was missed on this trip.
7. The Ram mount combined with the SiriusXM app - great tunes the whole way (mostly Yacht Rock radio).
8. Climbing Whiteface Mtn - effortless. Did it in 4th gear at 30 mph without any struggle. This bike seems to use only about 30% of its available power at any time - a seemingly bottomless reservoir of grunt is on tap for any situation.
9. Did some unintentional off-roading...let's just say the F6B is better suited for pavement :icon_cool:4369437022938
I did 110 miles to camp, then 260 the next day to get to Plattsburgh. Surfed a cold front for the entire stretch, staying dry the whole day Sunday.
On my way home Tuesday, I rode up 4900 ft. tall Whiteface Mtn, the only mountain in the Adirondacks with vehicle access.
Took the scenic route through Lake Placid, then a variety of state highways home, covering 360 miles in total on Tuesday.
Nine thoughts after my first trip on the F6B:
1. I bought this bike over a Victory because I was a little tired of Vtwin vibration. Last year, my VStar grew very fatiguing on a similar trip. The six-cylinder Honda made for smooooooooooooooth all day travels with no vibration on the bars or pegs and a pleasant hum under and behind me. Great engine for a long haul.
2. The factory seat is excellent for long rides. I could go up to 100 miles without a break and not have butt problems.
3. Man, this bike eats up the sweeping curves. I purposely looked for curvy, twisty mountain roads in planning my trip. I kept going faster and faster in those turns, with the bike feeling more surefooted at 70 mph than 55.
4. Great highway power - though a 6th upshift would be nice - I did do a sixth shift, but was a result of the uncertainty of whether or not this 2013 transmission was truly in 5th gear.
5. Typically got 45 mpg, a little less heading into a stiff W wind yesterday.
6. Cruise control - not something I miss in the mostly short (under 100 miles) rides I take - was missed on this trip.
7. The Ram mount combined with the SiriusXM app - great tunes the whole way (mostly Yacht Rock radio).
8. Climbing Whiteface Mtn - effortless. Did it in 4th gear at 30 mph without any struggle. This bike seems to use only about 30% of its available power at any time - a seemingly bottomless reservoir of grunt is on tap for any situation.
9. Did some unintentional off-roading...let's just say the F6B is better suited for pavement :icon_cool:4369437022938