Possible owner with a few question

[Cool Hand Luke]

I feel compelled to give my two cents here. I've been riding since I was 19, now 45. I've had my share of bikes: Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, and of course Harley. I loved all of them, and they all had some strengths and weaknesses. I definitely concur that all bikes are fun.

When I bought my Road King Classic I thought it was the best cruiser ever. I put over 70,000 trouble free miles on it. Added a ton of stuff, some for looks and some for comfort, like removable batwing fairing, speakers, tour trunk, lowers, etc. Mustang seat with backrest made it very comfortable.

Then I bought a Goldwing. Amazing difference! First day I bought it I rode it over 750 miles, all stock with some extras including a backrest. Road King just stopped being fun as I suddenly started feeling it's shortcomings in performance and comfort.

I have to admit that one of the reasons I bought a Harley was because I just wanted to find out what all those Harley guys see in them. I also thought the resale value of Harley, especially a popular model, would be a no brainer.

I came to conclusion that Harley guys buy them mostly for looks, desire to belong to a certain lifestyle, and probably the ingorance of never trying anything else, like GW or BMW, and therefore not knowing what they're missing. I belonged to HOG Chapter, it was nice having a group to ride with, even though the rides were usually pretty short and ended up at a restaurant of some kind. I was also by far the youngest member there.

I started noticing just how much heat RK puts out on my legs. It was much worse with lowers, too hot during summer. So, I sold the RK and got a VRod Muscle, thinking the liquid cooling engine would be much better. I was right. VRSCF is a bit of a black sheep in a Harley herd, but most everyone liked it and commented positively on it. It can leave other bikes in the dust as it has 125 hp and 86 ft/pounds of torque and weighs less than RG or GW and F6B. Also, much smoother running engine than typical HD. I put a removable fairing and saddlebags on it. Surprisingly I'm comfortable enough on it with stock seat, did several 400-500 mile days on it, but I also use AirHawk cushion on all my bikes.

So, Muscle is a keeper for now. Flashy enough, reliable and strong. Love taking it to Daytona Bikeweek.

I tried a RG and liked it, but simply not in the same league as F6B. I put Baggershield on mine and I can hear the stereo great, I mostly use ipod, crystal clear and strong enough. RG stereo is definitely not any better than F6B's. Also, a lot of buffeting from stock RG windshield, I think it is because it is positioned fairly far from rider. RG does handle very well due to frame mounted fairing, but not as good as F6B. Saddlebags on F6B are much bigger and nicer to use, too. Brakes, engine power, wind protection, comfort, all are better on F6B than RG, that is a fact.

RG has some advantages, depending on your point of view: it's a Harley, and that may be enough for most people anyway. There are dealers everywhere, and it has the most accessories available of any bike. It also has a lifestyle thing, such as many owner groups to ride with, clothing etc.

The biggest disadvantage to RG is air cooled engine. There is a stigma that Harleys are unreliable as miles start to pile up. My RK was the hardest bike to sell I ever had, due to 70,000 miles on it even though I maintained it and it ran just fine. On the other hand, my BMW K1200LT had over 80,000 miles and a gentleman approached me and offered to buy it on the spot, and that's how I sold it.

I love my F6B, I have a black one. I never had as many people ask me about the bike as I do with this one. People love it, all kinds of people, riders, non riders, Harley guys. Last week I rode with a couple of friends, both on Harleys, to a local bar/restaurant. The owner and others, who all ride Harleys, came out of the establishment so I can show them my F6B, and also invited me to ride with their group on Sundays. It's to the point it's becoming a nuisance!

I bought my F6B for $17,500 out the door! Base model. Can't go wrong! I also added 5 year extra insurance. For $500, so if I can ride it for next five years I can than sell it and it will still have two years of insurance on it, unlimited miles! Good for resale. I'm sure it will still fetch a good amount for it, abs or not.

F6B has excellent brakes so not having abs is not a deal breaker for me. My BMW had abs and in 8 years of ownership I don't think I ever used it. But abs did break down and I had to pay good money to fix it.

Cruise would be nice, but I added Throttlemeister and can live with that. Most of my riding is on backroads and cannnot really use cruise a lot anyways, so not a deal breaker.

But I never buy bikes because of resale value. I buy them to enjoy riding them. After a few years of ownership the value does not seem to drop as fast anyways.

So, buy what you like for whatever reason you like it, be it to ride or to fit in a certain lifestyle. But, the fact is that F6B is probably one of the best bikes made today!

I included pictures of my HD VRSCF, HD RK, and F6B at Deals Gap for your viewing enjoyment.

[Big Dawg]

I feel compelled to give my two cents here. I've been riding since I was 19, now 45. I've had my share of bikes: Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, BMW, and of course Harley. I loved all of them, and they all had some strengths and weaknesses. I definitely concur that all bikes are fun.

When I bought my Road King Classic I thought it was the best cruiser ever. I put over 70,000 trouble free miles on it. Added a ton of stuff, some for looks and some for comfort, like removable batwing fairing, speakers, tour trunk, lowers, etc. Mustang seat with backrest made it very comfortable.

Then I bought a Goldwing. Amazing difference! First day I bought it I rode it over 750 miles, all stock with some extras including a backrest. Road King just stopped being fun as I suddenly started feeling it's shortcomings in performance and comfort.

I have to admit that one of the reasons I bought a Harley was because I just wanted to find out what all those Harley guys see in them. I also thought the resale value of Harley, especially a popular model, would be a no brainer.

I came to conclusion that Harley guys buy them mostly for looks, desire to belong to a certain lifestyle, and probably the ingorance of never trying anything else, like GW or BMW, and therefore not knowing what they're missing. I belonged to HOG Chapter, it was nice having a group to ride with, even though the rides were usually pretty short and ended up at a restaurant of some kind. I was also by far the youngest member there.

I started noticing just how much heat RK puts out on my legs. It was much worse with lowers, too hot during summer. So, I sold the RK and got a VRod Muscle, thinking the liquid cooling engine would be much better. I was right. VRSCF is a bit of a black sheep in a Harley herd, but most everyone liked it and commented positively on it. It can leave other bikes in the dust as it has 125 hp and 86 ft/pounds of torque and weighs less than RG or GW and F6B. Also, much smoother running engine than typical HD. I put a removable fairing and saddlebags on it. Surprisingly I'm comfortable enough on it with stock seat, did several 400-500 mile days on it, but I also use AirHawk cushion on all my bikes.

So, Muscle is a keeper for now. Flashy enough, reliable and strong. Love taking it to Daytona Bikeweek.

I tried a RG and liked it, but simply not in the same league as F6B. I put Baggershield on mine and I can hear the stereo great, I mostly use ipod, crystal clear and strong enough. RG stereo is definitely not any better than F6B's. Also, a lot of buffeting from stock RG windshield, I think it is because it is positioned fairly far from rider. RG does handle very well due to frame mounted fairing, but not as good as F6B. Saddlebags on F6B are much bigger and nicer to use, too. Brakes, engine power, wind protection, comfort, all are better on F6B than RG, that is a fact.

RG has some advantages, depending on your point of view: it's a Harley, and that may be enough for most people anyway. There are dealers everywhere, and it has the most accessories available of any bike. It also has a lifestyle thing, such as many owner groups to ride with, clothing etc.

The biggest disadvantage to RG is air cooled engine. There is a stigma that Harleys are unreliable as miles start to pile up. My RK was the hardest bike to sell I ever had, due to 70,000 miles on it even though I maintained it and it ran just fine. On the other hand, my BMW K1200LT had over 80,000 miles and a gentleman approached me and offered to buy it on the spot, and that's how I sold it.

I love my F6B, I have a black one. I never had as many people ask me about the bike as I do with this one. People love it, all kinds of people, riders, non riders, Harley guys. Last week I rode with a couple of friends, both on Harleys, to a local bar/restaurant. The owner and others, who all ride Harleys, came out of the establishment so I can show them my F6B, and also invited me to ride with their group on Sundays. It's to the point it's becoming a nuisance!

I bought my F6B for $17,500 out the door! Base model. Can't go wrong! I also added 5 year extra insurance. For $500, so if I can ride it for next five years I can than sell it and it will still have two years of insurance on it, unlimited miles! Good for resale. I'm sure it will still fetch a good amount for it, abs or not.

F6B has excellent brakes so not having abs is not a deal breaker for me. My BMW had abs and in 8 years of ownership I don't think I ever used it. But abs did break down and I had to pay good money to fix it.

Cruise would be nice, but I added Throttlemeister and can live with that. Most of my riding is on backroads and cannnot really use cruise a lot anyways, so not a deal breaker.

But I never buy bikes because of resale value. I buy them to enjoy riding them. After a few years of ownership the value does not seem to drop as fast anyways.

So, buy what you like for whatever reason you like it, be it to ride or to fit in a certain lifestyle. But, the fact is that F6B is probably one of the best bikes made today!

I included pictures of my HD VRSCF, HD RK, and F6B at Deals Gap for your viewing enjoyment.

Excellent post! Amen Brother.............

[jkelley]

I agree with the above but with some points highlighted others have made. Ride what YOU like. I find the F6B for me personally difficult to get used to the ergonomics of mid controls again after many years on Harley. I loved most everything about my CVO Road Glide except for the fact that it was a four or five hour job to clean it up once it got wet with all the chrome. My F6B, about 30 minutes so I tend to ride it more when the weather is crap. The F6B is a totally different machine in all categories. The performance out of the box can not be matched by Harley without many thousands of dollars being spent. The engine and drive train are proven.
The new water heads for Harley are seeing some issues as reported by some of the owners so that alone would have me waiting to see how the new design shakes out. Maintenance wise other than oil changes the rest being infrequent still prove much more difficult on the F6B. Personally I dread the air filter change in the future. The drive shaft verses a belt drive is also a consideration. I like the shaft but never did have an issue with a belt. I did hear about some folks having one break and it was costly to replace. There are much more accessories available for all Harleys and the lack of cruise control on the F6B is a big issue for me as well. I didn't realize how much I would miss it. The paint on the Hondas simply stated SUCKS!!! Harley has won that one hands down. However, having said all the above buying a bike is a personal thing, and you need to get what you like and feel fits your needs and comfort level. Harley AND Honda have proven performers. Hopefully you will find what you like and be happy with it regardless of what anyone else thinks.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

The new water heads for Harley are seeing some issues as reported by some of the owners so that alone would have me waiting to see how the new design shakes out.

Wow, I hope that's not widespread. I thought the "twin cooling" would be the cure for what I consider the big H-D problem- heat! I certainly wouldn't buy a 2014 Street Glide, the H-D to get is the Ulta Limited with "twin cooling". But if there's problems....waiting is the best plan. I'm satisfied with my F6B for the foreseeable future.

[Scotrod]

Rumor has it the HD crowd is slow to embrace changes, but I'm not so sure 'that generation' is such a key part of HD's overall business model anymore.

I also like the water assisted cooling they finally came out with. They did a darn decent job of hiding it all to keep from offending the 'old Guard'.

Good way to get started 'down that path' I suppose, but IMHO, the Twin Cam mill itself leaves a lot to be desired.

Still, glad to see 'em evolving!

("Steamin Eagle" just kinda has a ring to it though!! LOL!!)

[Erock1800]

I too have been lurking on this site, Vic site and HD site. I currently own a Suzuki M109R she is a beast. But, I didn't realize my wife would like riding so much with me. My ride has no storage space. So I am looking at the F6B, Vic XC tour and the 2014 HD SG special. I still have to ride all three before I make my choice. I have always liked Hondas. I just wish the honda had the touch screen features such as the HD. I'm a gadget guy and I like the latest technologies. In fact that is the only reason why I am looking at the HD.

My current ride, she had been modded.

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[Scotrod]

By all means, check em all out!

The XCT hands down will have the most storage. SG and F6B are not even close in that regard.

I had thought XCT at one time, only because the lowers, taller shield, extra wind protection, tip over protection, ect that come with a XCT vs an XC were worth it. (Cheaper than dressing an XC how I wanted it.) Didn't need the trunk, and would most likely take it off and never use it. (That kinda seemed like a waste)

I like the improvements of the 14 SG, no doubt about it, but the shaking of a non-balanced engine, and the heat generated from air cooling, to me, is a helluva turn off. (If folks cars shook that bad and were that hot to drive, they'd demand a refund!)

The smooth, seamless F6b is quite a bit different. Almost, dare I say, a bit too smooth/seamless!

[jkelley]

Wow, I hope that's not widespread. I thought the "twin cooling" would be the cure for what I consider the big H-D problem- heat! I certainly wouldn't buy a 2014 Street Glide, the H-D to get is the Ulta Limited with "twin cooling". But if there's problems....waiting is the best plan. I'm satisfied with my F6B for the foreseeable future.

Time will tell, there are several complaints on HD forum, but then again most of the time all you hear is the bad ones.

Hopefully they will work it out for all.