PICS....see, I can take pictures

[Miles]

Okay, all you nay sayers, I can actually take pictures, so that no one can post..."this thread is no good without pictures".

 

Bought this puppy yesterday, and rode it home 125 miles in the rain. It now has a total of 130 miles on it.

 

Anyone care to "venture" how many miles will be on it by the end of this year?

 

The first pic is of my small motorcycle garage, that is used to house only the immediate bikes that my wife and I ride on a daily basis. Since I will be riding this, one of those in the bike garage will either have to go join the others in the shop, or...be sold.

 

[ATTACH]75412[/ATTACH]

 

The next 6 pics are of the new bike...a 2013 Honda F6B, also called a GL1800B.

I have been busy all morning ordering a slew of new parts for it.

 

 

[ATTACH]75413[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75414[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75415[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75416[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75417[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75418[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75419[/ATTACH]

 

Now, I have to say, and I honestly will make this as short and quick as possible (if that is possible for me)...I had my eyes set on buying a 1st Gen Mark II bike. I looked far and wide, got it down to two bikes...one in Illinois, and one in New Hampshire. Almost made the deal on the Illinois bike. Then...it struck me, I would be better off to get a newer sport-touring bike, so I changed gears:biker:, and decided to go after a 2003 ST1300 ABS bike. There were reasons for that specific year and model. Whittled my choices down to a bike in New York, and one in New Hampshire. (what is it about New Hampshire having bikes that I want ?

 

Then, before committing to one of those, I found a CL ad for a dealer down around Portland, OR. that had a new...but a demo...model of the 2012 ST1300 ABS bike, with 4400 miles on it, for under 12K. I called them, went down there (with my wife so she could drive the car back home) and I attempted to make the deal.

 

Lesson # 1...I learned this the hard way back in 1997 when I bought my first BMW...always do a test ride of a bike, before you buy it. I thought I was such a smarty pants, that I already knew everything there was to know about this BMW, back in '97, that I had no need to test rider it. HAH ! Did I make a mistake.

 

So I test rode the new 2012 ST1300 ABS yesterday, went all of 2 miles, came back to the dealer, and said...NO ! The bike no longer works for me, with the way I sit and the style of riding I do presently, so I told them NO, and my wife and I were getting ready to leave.

 

The store owner was saying goodbye to us, and at the last minute he said to me, since I am all dressed for riding, why not try out the new F6B, and let them know what I think of it. No one at the dealership had ridden one yet, and they had not sold one yet.

 

Okay, I am dressed for the bad weather, so before I take everything off, these folks want me to test ride a bike for them. HAH ! After the same 2 mile test ride, I came back and said...let's make a deal on this bike.

 

The deal was actually made on a new...still yet to be PDI'd, all Black standard model, not the one I test rode. And, I got the bike for $ 17,500.00 plus tax, license, etc, which is one huge saving over the suggested MSRP of these bikes. In all, I saved over $ 3,000.00 on this bike, and the dealer has now finally sold one.

 

Rode it home, 125 miles in the rain, and the first thing you notice (which I already knew) was that the shorty windshield has to go. Many new parts are already on order, and...

 

I am now going to be selling my 2006 Royal Star Midnight Tour Deluxe. The ad for it will be placed on the forum classifieds in the next day or two, once we have dry enough weather for me to take some really good pictures of it. I will say that my '06 RSMTD is in excellent condition, with all the stator upgrades, R/R upgrade, new Barnett clutch, very recent Valve adjust and new valve gaskets, the AI system has been completely removed, brand new rear tire with less than 50 miles on it (Dunlop E-3's front and rear), and so many other things, I will have to sit down and write it all out. Just keep an eye out for the ad, as the price will be a special VR.org forum price, and not the same as the price listed on CL.

 

Whew...I tried to keep it short.

 

 

Edited April 7, 2013 by Miles

[DragonRider]

You didnt win the St. Jude Venture, another bike you didnt really need, so instead you end up with a new Wing. Very nice and at the right price. Looking forward to seeing it.

 

 

Okay, all you nay sayers, I can actually take pictures, so that no one can post..."this thread is no good without pictures".

 

Bought this puppy yesterday, and rode it home 125 miles in the rain. It now has a total of 130 miles on it.

 

Anyone care to "venture" how many miles will be on it by the end of this year?

 

The first pic is of my small motorcycle garage, that is used to house only the immediate bikes that my wife and I ride on a daily basis. Since I will be riding this, one of those in the bike garage will either have to go join the others in the shop, or...be sold.

 

[ATTACH]75412[/ATTACH]

 

The next 6 pics are of the new bike...a 2013 Honda F6B, also called a GL1800B.

I have been busy all morning ordering a slew of new parts for it.

 

 

[ATTACH]75413[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75414[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75415[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75416[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75417[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75418[/ATTACH]

 

[ATTACH]75419[/ATTACH]

 

Now, I have to say, and I honestly will make this as short and quick as possible (if that is possible for me)...I had my eyes set on buying a 1st Gen Mark II bike. I looked far and wide, got it down to two bikes...one in Illinois, and one in New Hampshire. Almost made the deal on the Illinois bike. Then...it struck me, I would be better off to get a newer sport-touring bike, so I changed gears:biker:, and decided to go after a 2003 ST1300 ABS bike. There were reasons for that specific year and model. Whittled my choices down to a bike in New York, and one in New Hampshire. (what is it about New Hampshire having bikes that I want ?

 

Then, before committing to one of those, I found a CL ad for a dealer down around Portland, OR. that had a new...but a demo...model of the 2012 ST1300 ABS bike, with 4400 miles on it, for under 12K. I called them, went down there (with my wife so she could drive the car back home) and I attempted to make the deal.

 

Lesson # 1...I learned this the hard way back in 1997 when I bought my first BMW...always do a test ride of a bike, before you buy it. I thought I was such a smarty pants, that I already knew everything there was to know about this BMW, back in '97, that I had no need to test rider it. HAH ! Did I make a mistake.

 

So I test rode the new 2012 ST1300 ABS yesterday, went all of 2 miles, came back to the dealer, and said...NO ! The bike no longer works for me, with the way I sit and the style of riding I do presently, so I told them NO, and my wife and I were getting ready to leave.

 

The store owner was saying goodbye to us, and at the last minute he said to me, since I am all dressed for riding, why not try out the new F6B, and let them know what I think of it. No one at the dealership had ridden one yet, and they had not sold one yet.

 

Okay, I am dressed for the bad weather, so before I take everything off, these folks want me to test ride a bike for them. HAH ! After the same 2 mile test ride, I came back and said...let's make a deal on this bike.

 

The deal was actually made on a new...still yet to be PDI'd, all Black standard model, not the one I test rode. And, I got the bike for $ 17,500.00 plus tax, license, etc, which is one huge saving over the suggested MSRP of these bikes. In all, I saved over $ 3,000.00 on this bike, and the dealer has now finally sold one.

 

Rode it home, 125 miles in the rain, and the first thing you notice (which I already knew) was that the shorty windshield has to go. Many new parts are already on order, and...

 

I am now going to be selling my 2006 Royal Star Midnight Tour Deluxe. The ad for it will be placed on the forum classifieds in the next day or two, once we have dry enough weather for me to take some really good pictures of it. I will say that my '06 RSMTD is in excellent condition, with all the stator upgrades, R/R upgrade, new Barnett clutch, very recent Valve adjust and new valve gaskets, the AI system has been completely removed, brand new rear tire with less than 50 miles on it (Dunlop E-3's front and rear), and so many other things, I will have to sit down and write it all out. Just keep an eye out for the ad, as the price will be a special VR.org forum price, and not the same as the price listed on CL.

 

Whew...I tried to keep it short.

 

 

[Freebird]

Gotta say that I like the looks of that new Honda and I would imagine that the performance is fantastic. I would definitely try one out if most of my riding wasn't two up. Very nice.

[Wade 2000]

Much more sporty than the previous Goldwings!

[Condor]

Looks kinda stealthy in a Star Wars kinda way...

[reddevilmedic]

this thread is useless with pictures....

[Miles]

this thread is useless with pictures....

 

 

Oh No...you didn't ? Why you...low down dirty rascal.

 

 

[Evan]

Sure like your stable Miles and your latest addition is really amazing. Enjoy!!

[b2dad]

Any chance you will be riding that to our meet next month...Don wants to drool over it in person. LOL

looks real nice Miles

[ragtop69gs]

Ya know Miles, I wasn't sure about the F6B but after seeing those pictures, I have to say , it's one sharp looking bike. Is the seat position the same as all other wings?

[Miles]

Gotta say that I like the looks of that new Honda and I would imagine that the performance is fantastic. I would definitely try one out if most of my riding wasn't two up. Very nice.

 

Don, the performance on this F6B is actually much better than on the first gen GL-1800's. I have not ridden a second gen GL-1800 yet, but after owning 3 of the 1st gen 1800's...an '03, an '04, and an '06, there is a remarkable difference is power and speed on this bike.

 

Just to bring some folks up to date (and I just found this out yesterday), Honda is labeling the 2001 thru 2010 Goldwing 1800's as 1st generation, and the 2012 and later Goldwing 1800's as the 2nd generation Wings. I know there is some bodywork changes, but I wasn't aware of performance changes, until I rode this yesterday.

 

Not having ridden a GL-1800 in 2012 or 13, I am not certain if the performance changes are simply due to weight lose on the F6B, or something else. I do know that the F6B weighs 91 lbs less than a fully loaded out Wing. I also see that the F6B speedo reads up to 150, where as the previous Wings...2001 to 2010 only read up to 130.

 

Having put approx. 300,000 miles on my previous 3 Wings, in total, I can say with certainty that this F6B is faster, and lighter.

 

Yes, it looks stealthy, and it does look like something from a Star Wars movie.

 

I would bring it out to the Freebirds' MD in June, so that I could let people ride it, but...I would like to bring my RSMTD, in an effort to fit in, and an effort to maybe catch a buyer for the RSMTD there.

 

But even after I sell my RSMTD, you folks won't be rid of me so easily. I am paid up for another 14 months, and it will be fun to ride the F6B to some of the VR.org events.

 

[Eddie]

I like it , if I had time to ride another bike I would get one

[Miles]

Ya know Miles, I wasn't sure about the F6B but after seeing those pictures, I have to say , it's one sharp looking bike. Is the seat position the same as all other wings?

 

No, the seating position is quite different. There is close to 27 % more room on the top of the riders position seating area than on a standard Wing, which allows a rider to better choose their sweet spot, and settle in. I did find that even on the short ride home yesterday, I am definetly going to need to change the seat, most likely to a Russell Day-Long Saddle. I will contact them on Tuesday, and see what they have to say.

 

You also sit a lot lower on this bike...which is good...in that a Russell seat does raise you up about 1.5 to 2 inches.

 

This bike is so new to the marketplace, that many of the aftermarket manufacturers have not completed making accessories for this bike yet. I know that Kuryakyn is still working on making "all black" mounting hardware for their highway pegs. I have found that it would be smart to only buy...at this time...those things that are serious neccessities, and then wait for several more months to see what else comes out down the line.

 

Edited April 8, 2013 by Miles

[Phoneman1981]

Hello Miles: Congrats on the new bike.

[The Tooch]

Holy Polaris! Batman, Honda is building Victory's! The Honda lineup in Canada doesn't include the 4 models they are offering in the U.S. the F6B is not one we can get here......maybe next year if sales are good enough in the U.S. Honda Canada will offer them up here. Not sure I personally like the Star Wars look. I prefer the old school cruiser look but I like it better then the straight Goldwing.

 

Nice ride congrats!

 

I posted this based on what the sales guy at the local Power Sport dealer told me early this year and of course as soon as I post it I find out Honda Canada IS bring them in and is asking you to put money down now if you want one. Sound like they will be short on supply......or maybe it's just a marketing ploy.

Anyway, never mind!

Edited April 8, 2013 by The Tooch

[deepforkriver]

No, the seatimg position is quite different. There is close to 27 % more room on the top of the riders position seating area than on a standard Wing, which allows a rider to better choose their sweet spot, and settle in. I did find that even on the short ride home yesterday, I am definetly going to need to change the seat, most likely to a Russell Day-Long Saddle. I will contact them on Tuesday, and see what they have to say.

 

You also sit a lot lower on this bike...which is good...in that a Russell seat does raise you up about 1.5 to 2 inches.

 

This bike is so new to the marketplace, that many of the aftermarket manufacturers have not completed making accessories for this bike yet. I know that Kuryakyn is still working on making "all black" mounting hardware for their highway pegs. I have found that it would be smart to only buy...at this time...those things that are serious neccessities, and then wait for several more months to see what else comes out down the line.

 

 

 

Miles,

We have friends here in Ok that own a Honda dealership. They told me the 12-13 goldwings were either manufactured in a different plant or maybe even country than previous wings and have much less quality control and more people have started looking for pre-12's. I do not think the general public has been made fully aware of this. A little research might confirm.

And, maybe just maybe, they moved assembly of the wing to make room for the F6B? Who knows.

Also, being Valkyrie riders, we can see the direct correlation to the Valk. Honda has marketed the new bike directly towards x-valk riders and the money makers in the 30-50 age that have loved the valk and wing but might now want the full blown wing. The inside cover of this months Cycle World has an ad with the caption "Goldwing with an attitude".

I think they have hit a home run that has yet to go out of the park. Only time will tell how many will be sold but I bet it's a lot and will get a significant share of the market.

 

I cannot wait until Ultimate has a saddle for it. Cobra is already making the 6 into 6 exhaust and others are scrambling to catch up on accessories.

I cannot wait to hear your experiences with this bike. I follow your reviews and look forward to hearing your review on this one! I was also wondering, do you think the valkyrie interstate CB/cruise controller on the left bar would somehow be fitted to the F6B? (I know the interstate is carb'd and F6B is FI. But still curious. Never seen the panels off an F6B.

 

Look forward to your experiences. I definitely am GREEN with ENVY and will probably own one in the next year or two, provided they live up to the hype.

 

Love it!:clap2:

James

[XV1100SE]

...But even after I sell my RSMTD, you folks won't be rid of me so easily. I am paid up for another 14 months, and it will be fun to ride the F6B to some of the VR.org events.

 

 

I still think you'll end up with a 1st Gen Venture in your stable.

[Miles]

They told me the 12-13 goldwings were either manufactured in a different plant or maybe even country than previous wings and have much less quality control and more people have started looking for pre-12's. I do not think the general public has been made fully aware of this. A little research might confirm.

 

James

 

 

Well, James, here is your research: Mother Honda stopped production of the GL-1800's at the close of the 2010 model year, and moved the entire production facility to Japan, from where it was in Marysville, Ohio. I had been to the plant in Ohio several times, and had two of my Wings on display at their mini-museum, because of the miles and records I had on those bikes. Due to the production facilities moving, there was no 2011 Goldwing produced.

 

When they finally opened production in Japan, they started with the new Wing, the 2nd generation of 1800 Wings, and that was the start of the 2012 model year bikes. I highly doubt that quality control has suffered at all. The Japanese employees do a fine job of building cars like Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus, etc, and they do a great job of building the Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha bikes over there. I will say that the fit and finish of this bike is excellent.

 

I think that people are looking for a pre-2012 model because of pricing, as the 2012 and 2013 models are more expensive, and...it takes a year or two for riders to get used to a new body style, like the new 2nd gen Wings have.

 

Example: When Honda first came out with the new GL-1800's in late 2000, as a new model for 2001, there were many riders, including myself, that were so used to the boxy GL-1500's, that we waited a couple years to get used to the newer bodywork of the GL-1800's. After a year or two, and seeing that the new GL-1800 was actually a much better bike, fuel injected, aluminum frame, lighter, faster, better handling...then we started to buy them.

 

 

And...Patti...my Dear...it has been pointed out to me that it would be better for me to ride fewer miles on my '06 RSMTD this year, so that it sells with fewer miles on it, than to ride it to all the VR events I had been planning on, which would have added 20,000 miles to the bike this year alone. I would love to show my RSMTD, and all the work I have done to it, as it is 100 % ready right this minute to travel cross country many times this year, but...knowing that a buyer would like less miles on the bike, and...would like it in the condition I have it in right now...

 

I will absolutely ride the new 2013 F6B to all the VR events this year, and even let anyone named Don (and there are several of them on this forum) take the bike for a ride.

 

It has been spoken...it shall be done.

 

[Trader]

I will absolutely ride the new 2013 F6B to all the VR events this year, and even let anyone named Don (and there are several of them on this forum) take the bike for a ride.

 

It has been spoken...it shall be done.

 

 

 

Freebird....could you temporarily change my handle to "Trader Don":whistling:

 

I'll change it back after MD!

[deepforkriver]

Miles,

 

Have given you a few days before I ask this question..

I know you said you have accessories on order.... but what accessories have you been able to find/order for your F6B at this point. Really curious how much is on the market now. And did you decide on a cruise control?

Were you able to get the Russell Day Long going?

 

and....

 

how many miles have you been able to put on it in the last few days????

 

James

[SilvrT]

Man, these are saweeeeeet!! ... I wonder if they'd fit my '03 "Punk'n"

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6_kV6SXxAM]Cobra 6 into 6 Exhaust for Honda F6B Bagger Motorcycle - YouTube[/ame]

[deepforkriver]

They are super nice looking and would look great on your bike!

The F6B cobra 6 into 6 are not really a true 6 into 6 tho.. (can you say marketing to the ole Valk guys to buy them?). I look forward to Cobra's pipe on the F6b and anxious to see what the dyno #'s are opposed to stock. It is a sweet looking set of pipes. But I am just a little disappointed in Cobra for not making a true header type pipe for the F6b. (maybe someday?)

 

Do not know if you could install original cobra valkyrie 6 into 6 pipes on a 1500gw or not. Doubtful. But wouldnt that sound nice!

 

Let's see if this Pic comes up... these are the original "cobra" pipes for Valk's.

 

James

[Barrycuda]

Congrats on the new bike Miles. I am predicting you will have close to 85-90K on speedo by years end. The bike looks awesome with its futuristic look and lines. The back looks sweet but also manly. I always value your insight, advice and posts, so stop riding your new pony to continue to post. And looking at your garage, how'd you get all those bikes to stand at attention so perfectly. Man, they really do few the rider!

Great to know you are happy. Ride safe...

[SilvrT]

The bike looks awesome with its futuristic look and lines.

 

Victory comes out with a bike that is so "futuristic looking" that a lot of folks called it FUgly ... Honda comes out with a stripped-down Wing (and that's all it really is) and we have folks calling it "awesome futuristic" ....

 

:confused24: :confused24:

 

It does look pretty darned cool tho! :cool10:

[Barrycuda]

Victory comes out with a bike that is so "futuristic looking" that a lot of folks called it FUgly ... Honda comes out with a stripped-down Wing (and that's all it really is) and we have folks calling it "awesome futuristic" ....

 

:confused24: :confused24:

 

It does look pretty darned cool tho! :cool10:

 

IMO SilvrT, the victory doesn't look as nice as this bike, so I am certainly entitled to give my opinion, as you are yours ( stripped down wing, that's all it really is)

So, yeah it's awesome...TO ME.