Potential new guy

[smalls]

Hey everyone,

This subject has likely been covered but I'd appreciate respectable feedback. I'm highly interested in the F6B, coming from cruisers already. I have both a Harley Wide Glide and a Victory Kingpin. I like both, albeit for different purposes. The Victory is my real bike and I put about 10k a year on it. I like to travel and enjoy several days on the road camping. The Victory is outstanding and has served me well. But...I'm curious for change. I feel I've been gravitating towards travel comfort, high mileage, and enjoying the road...more than loud pipes, bars, and ape hangers.

Other reasons for a change include ergonomics for back and shoulders, along with extras like a radio and navigation. I have done the Victory demo and do not care for the Cross Country bikes. My feet are too far foward in that riding position, putting a strain on my upper back/neck. The Vision is nice, but still selling myself on the looks. I recently rented a Harley Ultra for 200 miles and loved it. I was only able to ride the F6B for about 15 miles as a "test ride", but loved it too.

So I've narrowed it down to the Harley Ultra or F6B. I like the Harley stock. Not into modifying much. My objective is too get on the bike, ride, and enjoy the scenery and rack up some miles...in relative motorcycle comfort.

Everyone that has a F6B came from something, so feedback from those coming from Harley/Victory cruiser style is welcomed.

Thanks!

[53driver]

Welcome!
If you search for Kingpin or even victory, you can see why some other people switched over.
I have no experience with Victory.
I have had Harleys, but a '73 Sporty and now a '95 Heritage.
I have had a '98 Valk and an '81 Wing.

You mentioned a few topics:
Nav - F6B has no stock Nav system, although many have found ways to mount GPS devices.
Camping - with a luggage rack, or a trailer, I'm sure provisions can be made to accommodate, but for a larger percentage of us here, "camping" means the Holiday Inn.
Back & shoulder issues - a few riders were unable to get the proper seat/handlebar relationship for their personal issues/injuries and invested in the "Heli-Bars" and either Ultimate or Russell Day Long (RDL) seats.
Again, search for "shoulder" or "lower back" and a few threads will come up.

Having written all that? As a "heavy cruiser" - this bike is just unbelievable from a handling and power perspective.
I do not know how much the Ultra's amenities are worth to you as far as the difference in cost.

Use the Search function and do some reading....lots of info in the annals.
Again, welcome aboard.

[smalls]

I appreciate the response. I would add a navigation if needed. And I should clarify, by camping I mean strapping a tent and sleeping bag to the back seat. No trailer. Oh, and I never ride 2 up. So far both the ultra and F6B put the seat and handlebars right where I like them.

[jkelley]

if only between the Ultra and F6B then you have two distinct bikes with about as far apart in performance, and ergonomics as you can get.

The Ultra will not perform nearly as well or handle as well as the F6B. If you are into playing in the twisties, or twisting the wick then the F6B is a great bike.

Unless you spend big bucks the Harley wont even come close to running with this Honda.

The seating position is forward controls for the Ultra, and mid for the F6B. I still find that bothersome.

The ultra is easier to work on in that you don't have tupper wear to remove to get stuff done.

The F6B does not need much other than an air filter that is a real pain to do every 24,000 miles. Normal oil and filter can be done without removing anything.

Paint and finish are 100% better on any Harley than the F6B. The Harley will hold value much better than the F6B.

[smalls]

Yes I've heard about the paint on the F6B and not that concerned. I mean yes, it is a thought, but I aim to ride, not always clean. The resale does concern me however. Only because you just never know what will happen and what you may want next and selling could be an issue with the F6B. I LOVE the idea of oil and filter only on the F6B in comparison to the Ultra.

[stroguy]

Not riding two up gives you nearly a third more luggage add on. You can add a luggage rack and then as well the back seat becomes another storage spot. The biggest luxury of the F6B is the interchangeability as morphing capability. You have most surely landed in the right forum to see the multitude of configurations these folks have. Welcome to the show.

[opas ride]

Yes I've heard about the paint on the F6B and not that concerned. I mean yes, it is a thought, but I aim to ride, not always clean. The resale does concern me however. Only because you just never know what will happen and what you may want next and selling could be an issue with the F6B. I LOVE the idea of oil and filter only on the F6B in comparison to the Ultra.

I have owned both the Victory Kingpin Tour and the Vision Tour..Both excellent bikes in my judgment and I could have kept either one..I took a ride on the F6B and was again "hooked" on the smoothness and power of the flat six motor. I also felt it handled better than the heavier Vision...I have never owned a Harley and after riding a couple probably never will....For highway touring you cannot find a better road bike, in my opinion, than the Victory Vision..Great wind protection, adjustable windshield, smooth and stable, big floorboards to move your feet around and just a great bike on the super-slab...I don't ride two-up any more and longer trips are a thing of the past, so the F6B works great for me and I would consider it the nicest/best bike I have owned out of the 16 or so I have had....I would not hesitate to buy one any day over what HD offers...unless your into noise, shakes, and the "good-old-boy" thing, I think you will be very happy with the Honda..I added a Baggershield windshield, Mustang seat, Cobra pipes, Kury grips, and extra chrome goodies and I am good to go!!!

[smalls]

if only between the Ultra and F6B then you have two distinct bikes with about as far apart in performance, and ergonomics as you can get.

The Ultra will not perform nearly as well or handle as well as the F6B. If you are into playing in the twisties, or twisting the wick then the F6B is a great bike.

Unless you spend big bucks the Harley wont even come close to running with this Honda.

The seating position is forward controls for the Ultra, and mid for the F6B. I still find that bothersome.

The ultra is easier to work on in that you don't have tupper wear to remove to get stuff done.

The F6B does not need much other than an air filter that is a real pain to do every 24,000 miles. Normal oil and filter can be done without removing anything.

Paint and finish are 100% better on any Harley than the F6B. The Harley will hold value much better than the F6B.

First, notice you're in W. NC? I'm out of Charlotte and ride the BRP quite a bit. Second, it looks like you have the Corbin seat, which is exactly what I was thinking if I change the seat. Did the Corbin change any seating position in regards to handlebars? On my Victory I changed to a Mustang and afterwards found I was too far from the handlebars.

[srt8-in-largo]

The F6B resale value does suck... but there are some bargains to be had out there. Still-new-in-crate 2013 and 2014 models can be found for about $13,000.

As a motorcycle enthusiast, in my humble opinion your experience is not complete until you've owned a GL1800. The stars have aligned for you; pull the trigger and join the party

[jkelley]

First, notice you're in W. NC? I'm out of Charlotte and ride the BRP quite a bit. Second, it looks like you have the Corbin seat, which is exactly what I was thinking if I change the seat. Did the Corbin change any seating position in regards to handlebars? On my Victory I changed to a Mustang and afterwards found I was too far from the handlebars.

Correction, HAD a Corbin. Sold it fast, as I do not have a Corbin ass per say. I currently ride an Ultimate and so far it is the best I have found.
I do like the F6B for performance out of the box, but have hip issues and the seating position is simply miserable for me. As long as I can get up on the highway pegs soon I am ok but prolonged riding in the mid position and I am miserable. I also added Rockies Risers and cruise to mine.
So overall I am pretty satisfied at this point. But I did look at the Victories last weekend and if I were to do anything else bike related I would probably head in that direction. Not likely to do anything soon though. If you get up this way give me a shout and you can try out the set up I am running.