I am getting close! Why did you choose the F6B over the Gold Wing?

[Milkmaster]

I moved one step closer today to owning either the F6B or a level 1 Goldwing. I received a check for earnest money on my old bike to hold until the buyer can make a trip next week to take it home with him.

I am seeing a few new 2015 Level 1 Gold Wings for $18,900. 2016 F6B Deluxe for $17,400. Not much difference really. You do get a few things on the Gold Wings that are missing on the F6B of course. Given the close price difference, what are the considerations you can think of before choosing? ABS? Bigger windshield? Adjustable headlights? Extra storage? Does the F6B just look less cumbersome? WOuld you consider the 2015 Gold Wing more than the 2016 F6B if the price was close to the same?

I am 57 and plan for this to be my last new bike choice. Hopefully I will get it right and maybe as early as next week.

[VStarRider]

It comes down to personal preference. For $1500 more, you do get a lot more features (trunk, air suspension, adjustable windshield, etc). I briefly considered the full Wing last year before buying the F6B, which is why I am replying to this thread. For me, the looks of the full Wing just turned me off (I kept seeing the Family Truckster when I looked at it) as well as the seat, which put me far too close to the handlebars. The rider sits back a few more inches on the F6B in its attempt to be an "Alt. Cruiser."

If you like the looks of the full Wing, and fit in the seat comfortably, and/or ride 2 up often, I would consider it. The F6B has a stiffer ride, though better handling due to the suspension and lack of a heavy top trunk.

Personally, I would go for a Victory CC Tour or BMW 1600 over the full Wing. Both of those bikes are more up to date in the full-blown touring category.

[Airborne06]

I moved one step closer today to owning either the F6B or a level 1 Goldwing. I received a check for earnest money on my old bike to hold until the buyer can make a trip next week to take it home with him.

I am seeing a few new 2015 Level 1 Gold Wings for $18,900. 2016 F6B Deluxe for $17,400. Not much difference really. You do get a few things on the Gold Wings that are missing on the F6B of course. Given the close price difference, what are the considerations you can think of before choosing? ABS? Bigger windshield? Adjustable headlights? Extra storage? Does the F6B just look less cumbersome? WOuld you consider the 2015 Gold Wing more than the 2016 F6B if the price was close to the same?

I am 57 and plan for this to be my last new bike choice. Hopefully I will get it right and maybe as early as next week.

You can only get ABS on a Level 3 Goldwing...at least in the USA.

[opas ride]

I moved one step closer today to owning either the F6B or a level 1 Goldwing. I received a check for earnest money on my old bike to hold until the buyer can make a trip next week to take it home with him.

I am seeing a few new 2015 Level 1 Gold Wings for $18,900. 2016 F6B Deluxe for $17,400. Not much difference really. You do get a few things on the Gold Wings that are missing on the F6B of course. Given the close price difference, what are the considerations you can think of before choosing? ABS? Bigger windshield? Adjustable headlights? Extra storage? Does the F6B just look less cumbersome? WOuld you consider the 2015 Gold Wing more than the 2016 F6B if the price was close to the same?

I am 57 and plan for this to be my last new bike choice. Hopefully I will get it right and maybe as early as next week.

Currently age 76 and have had 6 different bikes since I was 57 so be careful...I always wanted a GoldWing, but with my short inseam it just did not work for me...Bought a Valkyrie, VTX1800, a couple of Victory's and when I saw the 2013 F6B I said this is the one for me...After a short test ride I bought it that day and have loved it since day one...If your into touring, riding two-up a lot, hauling a lot of extras, etc. then the Wing would probably work for you better..In my opinion, and several others, the F6B is lighter, handles better, is faster due to less weight, and the lower seat height is great...Many install aftermarket windshields, seats, pipes, etc., as I have done, and I plan on keeping mine for a while longer....Ride them both if possible and then make your choice....Some rumors that Honda is planning a new generation of these bikes in 2017/18 so, be mindful of that, but so far it is only speculation!!!....Ride safe

[Jimmytee]

For me it was the different seating position the F6B gives the rider,cool factor and then the price difference didn't hurt. I bought my F6B as a 13 leftover in 2014 ,so I was out the door at $15k with a year extra warranty and $1k in Honda accessories.:icon_cool:

[Drive Jehu]

Top boxes just don't belong on motorcycles. The wing is a sleek machine in F6B form and to me a Gold Wing is like a two story building on two wheels. After almost 2.5 years and 58,xxx miles Harley riders still come to my bike like its magnetic. They ask lots of questions, I have seen one or two reach out and touch it. Almost all conclude with... "you should get a real motorcycle next time". :icon_wink:

This was my 92 Wing with the upper floor removed :icon_biggrin:
4459

Happy riding to you with whatever you decide.

[DMAGOLDRDR]

here are some differences from Wing to F6B

No Reverse
No Adjustable Windshield
No Lighted Handlebar controls
No remote Adj Headlight
No remote Adj Rear Suspension
No remote locking Saddle Bags
No Heated Seat
No ABS
No feet heater vent
Obviously no Trunk... much easier to throw a leg over
slightly wider Fairing... noticeable if you use highway pegs

I never liked the looks of the Full Wing BUT ---- as much as I like my F6B I wish it had a few more of the Wings goodies.

[jm21ddd15]

Do you ride with a passenger often? Most women like the comfort of the full wing, but if your mostly a solo rider, go for the 6. I got the 6 for its clean, hot rod looks, and it performs that way. I seldom ever, have a passenger, except for a luggage bag on long trips. These bikes were made for speed.

[Switchmonkey]

here are some differences from Wing to F6B

No Reverse - No big deal (less weight)
No Adjustable Windshield - Went with Madstad, adjustable
No Lighted Handlebar controls - didn't notice, don't care
No remote Adj Headlight - who cares?
No remote Adj Rear Suspension - Set mine once, never needed to change it
No remote locking Saddle Bags - don't care
No Heated Seat - Never had it on any other bike. I wear what I need
No ABS - Yes ABS in Canada
No feet heater vent - Don't need it
Obviously no Trunk... much easier to throw a leg over
slightly wider Fairing... noticeable if you use highway pegs
No seat made for a 5'3" Japanese fella - great seat for a 6'3" Caucasian

The only goodies I would like off the Wing are the extra audio system jack in the back seat and added rear speakers... but that can be addressed if needed.

None of the stuff a Wing offers is worth the extra cost IMO.

[F6B1911]

Why did you choose the F6B over the Gold Wing?


There's three wings...
1) Valkyrie
2) F6B
3) Full wing


The Valkyrie is perfect for the younger speedsters.
The full wing is for the "old guys."
And the F6B is PERFECT right in the middle, you're a bit more mature than the younger guys and not quite old enough to buy a full wing.

[broncsrule21]

Currently age 76 and have had 6 different bikes since I was 57 so be careful...I always wanted a GoldWing, but with my short inseam it just did not work for me...Bought a Valkyrie, VTX1800, a couple of Victory's and when I saw the 2013 F6B I said this is the one for me...After a short test ride I bought it that day and have loved it since day one...If your into touring, riding two-up a lot, hauling a lot of extras, etc. then the Wing would probably work for you better..In my opinion, and several others, the F6B is lighter, handles better, is faster due to less weight, and the lower seat height is great...Many install aftermarket windshields, seats, pipes, etc., as I have done, and I plan on keeping mine for a while longer....Ride them both if possible and then make your choice....Some rumors that Honda is planning a new generation of these bikes in 2017/18 so, be mindful of that, but so far it is only speculation!!!....Ride safe

This pretty spot on for me. Metric bagger on one of the most proven platforms ever.

[Hodgey1]

"Why did you choose the F6B over the Gold Wing?"

Because it is one bad azz looking and functional machine! Then when you factor in the cost savings compared to the Full Wing it was a no brainer for me. Every time I look at buying a Wing I cringe at its appearance... It screams old to me, even though I am old, I don't necessarily want to advertise it.

I will be addressing the somewhat limited storage issue of my Bee soon by adding a back rack with a detachable bag, in an attempt to keep it looking like a F6B, when not touring. As a side note, my wife and I spent a week on the Bee last month, and where fine with the storage. The only time I wanted more room was when it hit 92* one day and I wanted to ditch my helmet.

[Wing'n it]

I had a full wing and loved it, but a few close calls with teen girls texting and pushing me and the wife off the road almost ended my riding days. Decided to be safer and went the 3-wheeled route,... huge disaster (see below) anyway when I decided to get back into riding I went looking for a trike/Wing and those things are just way over my budget. Decided to go back on two wheels and looked at new Wings and it being the 40th anniversary of the Wing the new color scheme was out and that carried a decent price so a dealer showed me a 2013 red F6B he had as a leftover and I liked the idea but did not like the red. He had a matte silver in stock new but that was it. Looking at the F6 I knew that was the bike that was going to bridge the gap between awesome and the Wing! Had to have one, went looking for a 14 leftover in yellow but that was near impossible. Came across the new 2015 blue and the search was over, found it, bought it, took home the same day!!

[Retired Army]

The F6B is a entry level Gold Wing that has the flat engine with shaft drive just like the very first Gold Wing had. Enjoy the Gold Wing of your choice. :icon_lol:

[DTOM]

I just sold my full wing to buy the F6B. As many have already concluded, it comes down to personal preference. DMAGOLDRDR made a good list above of what you don't get with the F6B. If you feel like you can't live without that stuff, then by all means go with the full wing and if you have a passenger that you intend on riding long distances with, then maybe the full wing would be better. Not only for passenger comfort, but for more space to pack your crap. I for one don't miss any of the Wing items not on the F6B. By the way, you can adjust your F6B rear suspension...just not with a push of a button. For me, it is all about how I feel while I ride. I had to have that smooth, powerful motor but I had to feel good too. I always felt like I was sitting on top of my full wing and I feel like I'm sitting in my F6B, a part of the bike. I know one thing for sure...no matter your age and preferences...you'll look better on the F6B!

[lake_carl]

My main reasons 1. Wife liked it better. 2 I also liked looks better, I like not so common things
3. Even though I listed it 3rd I could buy a f6b new cheaper than used wings with 20k miles and then found better price on used

[Dave Ritsema]

I purchased a 2013 F6B in early 14 after owning a Valkyrie Interstate for over 12 years. The seating position seemed the closest to my Valkyrie and I liked the styling. My wife and I ride together alot, the bike is a big part of our "together time" and I noticed she was opting less and less to go out on the bike with me, which was unusual because pretty much every time she heard the Valkyrie fire up she was getting on the back of it.

After some conversation it was apparent she just wasn't happy with the accommodations on the back of the F6B. I tried different seats, backrests, floorboards, air wings, etc. She just never felt as tucked in to the bike as she did with the Valkyrie with its' trunk. When we first started looking at the Valkyrie replacements we looked at the full wing, the F6B and the new Valkyrie. The Valkyrie wasn't even in the running and I hated the seating position the full wing and I was concerned about changing to one from my F6B I spoke to my friend Des at Ultimate seats and he assured me he could get me comfortable on a Gold Wing.

We decided to go with a red/black anniversary model and as I rode it home I wondered if I had made a mistake as I hated how pushed forward and cramped the bike felt. Des was making a custom seat for me and I had to ride the bike with the stock seat for about 3 weeks until I could meet up with him at a rally. The new seat made all the difference and now I am totally happy with my choice. The heated seats, grips and footwarmers , reverse, navigation and adjustable on the fly suspension are awesome and I have no regrets with what I ended up with.

[DMAGOLDRDR]

I am NOT pushing a Full Wing, just keep one thing in mind re: seating position, it is all the seat and NOT the bike. The Goldwings seat is what moves you forward not the bike itself.
The seat mounting holes are the same on both the Wing and F6B. A Goldwing seat will actually bolt onto an F6B although it will look terrible because it is too short. I did it for a test fit.

[ddoug]

In order of importance : ease of mounting the pass. seat for wife - style and looks.

[Redlinez]

For me, price was a huge factor. If you can afford a full wing, then I agree with above. I'd look at the Victory and BMW. I didn't like how dorky I felt getting on and off the full wing and while we ride two up often, I couldn't see riding solo with that trunk. I'm least impressed with the suspension on the B and plan to do some upgrades in the near future. I think the travel is really short on it. For the price you can get B's for, they're hard to beat. I went to the dealer fully expecting to ride out on a Kawi Voyager or a used 15 HD RK. Left on my 2nd B.

[pilotguy299]

Because the younger bitches prefer the looks of the F6B over the regular Goldwing.

And I love me the younger bitches!

[Greg O]

I hope the new 2018 Goldwing comes with a detachable trunk, that converts it to look like a F6B. If it does I would purchase one in a heartbeat. I would love to have all the amenities.

[Alys]

if u ride solo F6b deluxe is the best option. gives u the best look and most of full wings options. I went to dealer to test ride full wing and saw 2016 matte silver just arrived and that's it. Ride both see what suits u.

[copper]

I refer to mine as "Grandpa's Sport bike", or a "Gentleman's Tourer".....It does both jobs for me very well.

I picked the F6B over the Goldwing because the Goldiwng's drivers seat has a bolster that pushed me too far forward, or at least uncomfortably so.

[ReserveBum]

The "6" is cheaper and cooler, plus I ride "one up" most of the time. But that removable box...would be a great thing

[53driver]

I refer to mine as "Grandpa's Sport bike", or a "Gentleman's Tourer"......

I know she's on Honda's web page in the touring class....but I don't consider mine a "tourer."
No rear seat and no baggage back there kinda removes that whole "tourer" theme, in my mind.

"Gentleman's Crotch Rocket" is one of my favorites.
"Heavy Cruiser" - of course
She's been called "Spaceship" and "Starship" based on her front lighting and ability to get to warp speed

Most of the time though, people just wave bye-bye....lol

[BadDawg]

I am a minimalist. I buy a scoot and I start taking crap off. I bobbed my VTX 1800. But I still love the long haul ride. After almost 30 years my wife wanted to go for a ride on the VTX. 20 min later she said you need something more comfortable. Now I have a minimal Wing. I won't add to it. I want that barebones feel and look.

[Jimmytee]

I love my bike for sure. Just got in from a short jaunt with nice October sky . Beautiful.:yes:

[mike2000t]

I chose the F6B because of the look of the bike, price (in 2014 I got a 2013 for $15000), and the seating position (at 6'-3" I wanted to be less cramped.)

Even though there is no cruise like the newer model, since I do most of my riding in the mountains, this was not an issue to me. And I can deal without the reverse.

[Milkmaster]

Well here it is! Brought it home today. Several reasons including existing deals $$$ made me choose the full wing over the F6B. Just got it unloaded at the house. Wish me luck! No haters please :)

[BadDawg]

Congratulations, enjoy all the miles of smiles

[vmaxed]

Well here it is! Brought it home today. Several reasons including existing deals $$$ made me choose the full wing over the F6B. Just got it unloaded at the house. Wish me luck! No haters please :)
:congrats:

[Vondawg]

Well here it is! Brought it home today. Several reasons including existing deals $$$ made me choose the full wing over the F6B. Just got it unloaded at the house. Wish me luck! No haters please :)
Be careful those crash bars are not the way to tie down that heavybeast, get some soft tie downs and loop them around the forks just above the triple tree.
Congrats

[Milkmaster]

Be careful those crash bars are not the way to tie down that heavybeast, get some soft tie downs and loop them around the forks just above the triple tree.

Thanks for the comment. I haven't investigated a better way yet myself. I pulled up to the service bay and let the service guys load it. I asked the dealership that very question and was told that was the way they tie down any new GW bike leaving the facility. Maybe they are wrong, but it worked fine for the ~100 miles home. Maybe I will be lucky and never have to trailer it again.

[Redlinez]

I had a hard time not buying the anniversary red and black full wing last year when I bought my blue B. Best looking full wing ever IMO. Congrats!

[Wing'n it]

I had a hard time not buying the anniversary red and black full wing last year when I bought my blue B. Best looking full wing ever IMO. Congrats!

Yep that red/black is beautiful, have you seen the new blue/black?

[Redlinez]

That's what I bought last year, the blue F6B, unless you're talking about a full wing. No, I haven't seen that if that's what you mean.

[Redlinez]

Dang, this is sweet!

[Hodgey1]

The Red and black full wing is the only wing I've ever seen that I thought was beautiful IMO.

[Alys]

Congratulations, nice color.

[Dave Ritsema]

Congrats! Kinda partial to the 40th anniversary colors myself, but I really like the blue and black. :yes:
24067

[tommyb]

What a beauty! Really like the color, congrats! BTW, the reason I chose the f6b over the full dressed wing is because my wife doesn't really care to ride; otherwise, I would have went with the full Wing

[msmcfa]

Just curious - were most folks able to haggle on price? There's a '15 in the dealership here, that has some nice discounts right now (deluxe version for mid-$17's all in), and though I dislike going back and forth on pricing, I want to make sure I get a good deal. What are folks thoughts: is that a good price, do others push for them to throw in some gear if they can't lower the price, or both (push for a lower price and gear)?

[JMartin]

Just curious - were most folks able to haggle on price? There's a '15 in the dealership here, that has some nice discounts right now (deluxe version for mid-$17's all in), and though I dislike going back and forth on pricing, I want to make sure I get a good deal. What are folks thoughts: is that a good price, do others push for them to throw in some gear if they can't lower the price, or both (push for a lower price and gear)?

Absolutely everything is negotiable. Base Price, Options, Add-Ons, Warranty, etc.
I have to believe that they are getting incentives from the Manufacturer on old stock right now.
Which means even at advertised discounted prices there is still room for a haggle.
Even if you are financing the purchase (which they make a piece of), the Interest Rate is negotiable too (of course good credit helps on your side).

I spent several hours purchasing my first Corvette (a lifetime ago), and while I was there, my buddy fell for a Firebird they had, sat down and bought it while I was haggling. When he found out that I was even pushing for another 1-1/2% on the interest rate, he said he never even thought of that - and at the time, he had better established credit than I did. I got my dream car, and walked out with a better overall deal.

I'm not saying grind them till they just want you to go away... assure them you will rely on them exclusively for all your service work... offer to put some of the deal aside in a separate account from which you will have your payments made automatically - the finance guys like this - you've got skin in the game and they are assured no late payments, etc. It's all negotiable. I guess I just enjoy the game... always have.

Sure... know what you want, and know what you are willing to pay... but also, have fun doing it. :icon_biggrin:

[msmcfa]

@JMartin - thanks for the tips, much appreciated!

[Dave Ritsema]

I research the web and find the best possible price I can and print it and take to the dealer. I have said I am ready to buy a bike today and I would prefer to buy it from you, how close can you come to matching this deal?

Never had a dealer yet say we can't do that when they know up front I am willing to buy right now if you can make this deal.