New member thinking about an F6B

[Eric R.]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the replies so far. I got a thing for the r3t because it reminds me somewhat of my 98 Valkyrie tourer when I had it.
I am familiar with the Wings low center of gravity. The Triumph salesman that I spoke with says the r3t's cog is low also due to its 40 lb crankshaft. But with those three huge cylinders pointing upwards, it's got to make it more top heavy than the f6b I would think.
Sitting on the rocket felt like sitting on an elephant. I really like it though.
After we went to the triumph dealer we went to a Honda dealer to look at the F6B. They had a white 15 on the floor. I did not try it out but they started it up for me.
I do want to get away from the top-heavy feel of my nomad. I wish I could have sold it this fall but I have had no luck yet.

[53driver]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all the replies so far. I got a thing for the r3t because it reminds me somewhat of my 98 Valkyrie tourer when I had it.
I am familiar with the Wings low center of gravity. The Triumph salesman that I spoke with says the r3t's cog is low also due to its 40 lb crankshaft. But with those three huge cylinders pointing upwards, it's got to make it more top heavy than the f6b I would think.
Sitting on the rocket felt like sitting on an elephant. I really like it though.
After we went to the triumph dealer we went to a Honda dealer to look at the F6B. They had a white 15 on the floor. I did not try it out but they started it up for me.
I do want to get away from the top-heavy feel of my nomad. I wish I could have sold it this fall but I have had no luck yet.

That nearly 6 gallon gas tank is also up high......
Draw a line from axle to axle on each bike and relatively measure how far up the weight is.....including passenger and storage.

Cheers,
Steve

[Redlinez]

I thought I wanted a Kawasaki Vtwin cruiser and rode the Voyager thinking it was a done deal because I rode a 06 Nomad several months back. I then rode my first Harley test ride, the Road King. I liked the Road King quite a bit better than the Kawi but couldn't get it financed with my negative equity. So I bought my second F6B and won't be looking back. Great handling bike with a lot more power than anything like it. Very practical with plenty of storage, stereo, 87 octane, etc. I got 42-44mpg on my last one.

[lake_carl]

I took a 20 year break from owning bikes, mid July went shopping with half of planned riding being 2 up started looking at sport touring bikes and I liked to look of the f6b. Now after 5000 miles of owning it is still am not comfortable enough to get anywhere near max corner speed out of it, but am extremely impressed how well the bike brakes even mid corner with decent lean and stay on line. Smooth is understatement

[Milkmaster]

What brand of tires are on the F6B when new?

[53driver]

What brand of tires are on the F6B when new?

Bridgestone

[98valk]

I found this out on the Interwebs...

TopSpeed Review - 2016 Triumph Rocket III - includes a slight comparison w our own F6B.

That was an interesting article. It makes me want a bigger garage.

They really cut the horsepower down on the touring model! From 148hp to 106hp! I don't get that. That turns what in theory would be a potential buy into a dud for me.

I'll keep my flat 6.

[VStarRider]

Hi guys, I am currently trying to sell my 2010 Nomad which I bought new six years ago. I am debating replacing it with either an F6B or a Triumph Rocket three touring.
I am mainly a solo rider, but my wife may join me for short rides.
I had been determined to have ABS on my next bike, and I was very disappointed to learn the F6B does not offer them. The Rocket has ABS.
I know the F6B has the linked braking system, which is somewhat of an improvement.
I am not a gadget nut, which is one of the things about the Rocket that appeals to me. It's all business. But, I also like the extra weather protection that the Honda offers.
How do you guys feel about the lack of ABS? Obviously, you are all owners, but do you think this one issue should be a disqualifier? Am I making too big a deal over the brakes?
I've been reading about the paint issues on older models. Hopefully, this is not an issue any more.
If I had the Honda, I would only add front pegs and a taller shield. Same as the Rocket.
Thanks for any opinions, Eric

Eric, in July 2015, I knew I had outgrown my 1100 VStar. I started to research touring bikes that didn't look like RVs (like the full Gold Wing...fugly).

By October, I was down to two, in this order:

1.) Victory Cross Country Tour
2.) Honda F6B

I pulled into a Victory dealer in the first week of October last year and it was love at first sight on the Vic XC Tour. Beautiful gloss black. Salesman was great; he went over the machine, explaining the ABS, cruise, etc. This bike had everything I wanted. I was leaning against getting another twin, but with so many other features and bottomless storage on the Vic, it was tops on my list.

I cut the test ride short and went to the Honda dealer, five miles away, and bought a leftover '13 black F6B.

I gave up ABS, cruise, tons of storage and an awesome cruiser look to go with the F6B (good looking in its own way).

I felt the Vic had quality control issues. For a $22k bike, things seemed cheap. Too much vibration and crudeness to justify this much cake to be spent. I am sure it is engineered for the Harley buyer but not for me. A great bike - tons of storage, good comfort, lots of features, tons of foot room, etc.

I had a a helluva deal on the table too - the dealer was basically gonna let it go for $18k plus two trade ins (snowmobile and my old Star, paying retail for both)...but I walked.

The flat-six got me...hook, line and sinker. I gave up all of that to ride a bike that, at 55 mph, is like driving your car with the two driver's side windows half open. No vibration, smooth jet-like power, effortless handling (yes, effortless, even at 900 lbs). This bike is just easy to ride and a comfortable way to get one's knees in the breeze.

I have never ridden a Triumph, but I certainly understand your attraction. They are beauties. 2300cc, correct? Awesome.

Another thing - the flat six dates back 20+ years, a simple SOHC two-valve per cylinder design. It is NOT a sophisticated power plant; just extremely oversized for a 900 lb bike. Therefore, it is bulletproof reliable and practically maintenance free. This is not BS from a biased owner; this bike needs basically nothing. Just go ride it. I barely wash mine.

Good luck, and this forum has a plethora of information if you decide to go with the Honda.

[Eric R.]

Eric, I'm from Mass...you want to try my mine, I can make that happen. I just did 3,700 miles to Maggie Valley, NC and back last week, and I could go again today. Bought it last November, over 20,000 miles and I smile at it every mile. I came from an M109. I never rode a Triumph, can't compare. I don't see how you wouldn't like this bike. If you want smooth, quiet, and balls, this should do it.

I'm Wayne. Text me at 508-353-7748 if you want a test ride. Palmer is a hike, but I like hikes.

Thank you for the friendly offer Wayne. I am familiar with the gl1800 feel because I also owned an 03 for three years. I am wanting to get away from the v twin now, and back to a more upright seating style. I am not ready to buy prolly till spring, and I don't seem to be getting any offers on my Nomad. I guess it's too late in the season.

[wjduke]

Thank you for the friendly offer Wayne. I am familiar with the gl1800 feel because I also owned an 03 for three years. I am wanting to get away from the v twin now, and back to a more upright seating style. I am not ready to buy prolly till spring, and I don't seem to be getting any offers on my Nomad. I guess it's too late in the season.

If you pull the trigger, I'd love to take trip out that way. Awesome riding with 6's. Down in Maggie there was 4 of us and I was the only guy.