Does the Wing under-deliver?

[tinkerman]

Yep....I am getting right along side of being an old codger. So my expectations may be tainted by my age....on the other hand I may have seen enough BS to allow me to make more complete and qualified judgements.

After running bikes both recreationally and as my only means of transport for close to 40 years, I have never ridden anything that comes close to this F6B derivative of the Goldwing. The old Valks caught my eye a few years ago when they first came out and I thought they would likely be a good platform and from what I hear they are....but this F6B is pure magic for me.

Not sure what to say about the full fledged wing....I mean perhaps for those folk who like to have all the bells and whistles along for the ride, it might be getting a little dated....but as one of the biggest platforms in regular production, I can't see anything beating it for reliability, comfort, power and brakes and that would be my units of measure. Change for the sake of change has become a terrible fixation in our society...in my view if it aint broke don't fix it.

Still working at getting used to the "plasticy" construction of the F6B but willing to forgo all my "old codger" notions of tubular frames, and bottomless paintwork and real chrome to fly in the wind on this thing.

tink

[hiflyer]

Well said grendl. My thoughts exactly. I don't want a bunch of touch screen stuff, etc. I like mine for what it is, but mostly for what it's not. The choice was mine, and the F6 was my choice.

[Felloverboard]

It sounds to me like you need help when you shop for bikes ??? A 2013 Level 1 new at one dealer in TN is $18,800 and they have zero extra cost other than you paying the Tax-Title -Tag yourself when you get back home. I paid about 15k for a 2013 F6B New with no cost in MS and got $1000 in free options plus an extra free 12 months warranty and drove back to FL with it. By the way.... this bike is a ROCKET.............. I don't have time to adjust the windshield, My taller one vented was one of the free options.
I drove it back to Fl in one day >> 700 miles << very comfortable ride.

[Johncmendenhall]

NO.

[erazor55]

No. I've had many bikes since 73. I turned 18 in 73 and could buy/ride bikes much to my parent's dismay since then. The most enjoyable motorcycle in those years (before the F6B) was a 96 Katana. I've had standards, touring models, cruiser models. This bike fits the mold better than any. It's extremely comfortable, fast, can handle with the best of them, get's decent MPG/power and reported durability that I'll die before I can prove.

Likely the last bike I'll ever own.

Love it.

[Old Ryder]

When I first saw the F6B, it had a $21,000 tag--and while I loved the bike, there was just no way. (Not knocking the guys who paid that) I go to pick up my left over 13 on Wednesday and this is the perfect bike for what I want at $14,449 all expenses including tags, taxes, etc.... out the door. To me it is well priced for what you get and what I want. THE TRUE DEAL OF THE YEAR!!!!

I looked at FJRs and they have a cult following and there are great deals to be had, but like wings, those guys ride miles and miles. If the wife never rode with me, I could own that. With me and her close to 60 and not "small people", a 200 mile trip was not going to leave her happy.

NOW FOR THE GL models.................I am really not qualified to speak to that as I had an Ultra Classic and I am past throwing my right leg 8 feet in the air to clear a trunk, chrome and so many buttons that my grandkids eyes light up just walking thru the garage. I see what the OP is saying and I will only say this. When looking for the F6B, I had to surf thru wings of all shapes, sizes and years and the prices of a 7 year old GL 1800 with 85,000 miles is re-dic-u-las! Somebody must like um. But as I said in the first sentence, I am not the guy to spend five figures WITH A CROOKED NUMBER ON THE LEFT on a recreation vehicle. That is a high price for fun. JMHO

[Big Dawg]

I bought the wing for long rides, I'm not talking about 50 miles, I mean 500 mile or greater days of riding. I have other bikes that I use for other reasons but whien I want to ride coast to coast or to the mountains and back in a day, Nothing esle compares to the Goldwing.

If I want to ride the twisties with my boys on their sport bikes, I ride the Concours or the Ninja 1000. If I want to run to the grocery store, I will ride the PCX

Have said all of that, No one can tell you if the Wing or any other bike is the correct choice for you. In my case I am blessed so that I can have different bikes for different jobs.

In my opinion, the Kawasaki Concours is the most fun to ride and it is fast as hell.

[valkmc]

I bought the wing for long rides, I'm not talking about 50 miles, I mean 500 mile or greater days of riding. I have other bikes that I use for other reasons but whien I want to ride coast to coast or to the mountains and back in a day, Nothing esle compares to the Goldwing.

If I want to ride the twisties with my boys on their sport bikes, I ride the Concours or the Ninja 1000. If I want to run to the grocery store, I will ride the PCX

Have said all of that, No one can tell you if the Wing or any other bike is the correct choice for you. In my case I am blessed so that I can have different bikes for different jobs.

In my opinion, the Kawasaki Concours is the most fun to ride and it is fast as hell.

Well said and you are correct the C14 is a hell of a motorcycle. I would add if you are touring long distance TWO UP and the wife has a lot of junk the wing is the bike.

[motoman]

I would add if you are touring long distance TWO UP and the wife has a lot of junk the wing is the bike.

She can just put her junk in the trunk!

[bigbird]

if the wife has a lot of junk the wing is the bike.

A guy would be proud to have a "lot of junk".
A woman, not so much.