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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | I've always had a couple bikes at a time. for the past couple years I've had a ZX14 but after not really riding it I decided to get something with a bit more comfort and of course something I was not so tempted to go out and ride like a freakin idiot. Something about that kind of power just makes ya do silly things.
So after some reflection and evaluation I settled on a new ride. Now before you all get all crazy on me, I still have the Vision. Actually I've had this bike longer then just about any bike I've ever owned and believe me I still love it dearly, it's not going anywhere. I've put 26k miles on it in the past almost 2 years that I've owned it and I fully intend to add another 26k to it as well.
Anyway on to the new one. A 2014 Honda F6B. I know I can take the trunk off the Vision but I almost never do and it's kind of a pain to take it on/off. Plus I missed my Wing and decided the F6B would fit the bill for what I was looking for. A fun bike with some protection that has built in saddlebags for tooling around that had good power, handling and creature comfort. The two while serving the same purpose really are very different machines to ride. The F6 is butter smooth, quiet, powerful and very cool looking all blacked out while the Vision is a bit louder (a good bit lol), a tad more comfy and protected and provides a very different rider experience. I've always said you sit "in"
a Vision, you sit "on" a Wing. The new gunfighter seat moves you back a bit, the lower center of gravity really gives it a sporty feel and the roll on torque is just crazy (125lbft). It's nice to be able to have that choice depending on how I feel on a given day. Do I want quiet and smooth and sort of sporty or do I want that thumping VTwin and all out dresser feeling. I think the two make a great pair of bikes to have.
Here are a few bikes of the new toy:
Wondering where I put my flame suit lol...
Edited by PhantomX 2013-12-17 12:52 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I think it's a pretty bike ever since I first saw. I wonder if it will end up like the Vision Street? Too many owners decided they wanted a trunk and when they added it they bitched cause the keys didn't match. That doesn't appear to be a concern in your case but other buyers?
Enjoy.
One accessory you loose on this over the GW is the "open" trunk light.  ) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | I think your fine. Nice looking Honda.... and yes; it's good to have more than one bike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 233
flagstaff, AZ | I can appreciate having a stable of bikes, wish I had more (vision&hammer). I do like the looks of that honda. Congratulations and enjoy |
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Hinton, Iowa | I currently have three bikes 13 Vision, 01 V92C, and V92SC.Sometimes I don't know which one I'll ride until I get to the garage. (Congrats on the new ride by the way. Very cool.)
Edited by airguy 2013-12-17 7:13 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I have 2 bikes, 08 Vision and 99 V92C. I ride the Vision mostly, opting to ride the 99 2 or 3 times a month to keep it running. It's semi-retired because it has over 140K on it. I ride the Vision mostly because it's just more suitable for winter commuting and year round two up recreation. The one time a week I ride the 99 is very special. I will probably have several bikes at the end of my life. I don't buy motorcycles anymore that I don't want to keep forever. I think the F6B is cool. My friend has one and loves it. The other great reason for having more than one is that if one is in for service, you still have a bike.  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Wichita, KS | Good Combo, Congratulations! I get it entirely. There are many days I dearly miss my Valkyrie. Wouldn't consider giving up the Vision for a second. Just wish I still had the dragon in the stable. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | I think it looks good. I read somewhere it dosen't have cruise control. Is that true ?? How about the stereo , it's gotta be better than ou stock Visions................ |
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| good looking bike if you are happy that all that should matter, I myself and wife could never get used to the Goldwing..but we love our vision and other bikes.
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Tourer
Posts: 573
Central Illinois | That F6B is a very nice looking bike.
I sat on one once but didn't like the foot peg position so far to the rear so its not for me. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | Cool ride. Odd stablemate with the Vision, them being so similar, but all of us being a little different is what makes the world cool. I think it's time to do a little shuffling in my garage, too, but I don't know what I want. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| A friend went from road glide to bmw and not the F6. He loves it and he say the power just keeps getting better with every break in mile. |
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Glendale, AZ United States | It is easy to be tempted with extra power on tap. One of my buddies and I switch every once in awhile when we go riding. He's got a BMW R1200RT, which is a completely different animal compared to the Vision. He likes the comfort and as he puts it "Rolling Jukebox" of the Vision and I like the performance and power of the RT while rolling out the throttle and shifting at 5-7k RPM, which is standard. Either the RT or the BMW GS would personally be my second bike in the garage. Unfortunately, I have to admire those that have multiple rides since I only have the Vision, which is the way it will stay for awhile. My wife and I had our first baby 15 months ago. I need to be financially prudent and do not want to be an idiot with the finances. I looked at the F6B myself, but personally I think I would opt for the full blown Goldwing if I had my choice. The F6B is very popular and I see quite a few of them on the road at my neck of the woods. Happy riding. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 14
East Troy, WI United States | Nice. You already know you love both bikes. I wish I could of kept my Valkyrie. I loved it, but I wanted the 2013 VV Arlen Ness so bad. LOL. Ride safe and have lots of fun. Merry Christmas. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | Thanks. Yeah I love both of them thats the great part. Already put 1000 miles on the F6B but it was chilly this week here in sunny Florida so I rode the Vision all week except today, I took the F6 today. |
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Tourer
Posts: 523
seattle, wa | I really like the F6B, if it had a power windshield I would look into getting one. They look good, and you gotta love that Honda motor. Is there much difference in the handling compared to a Wing? The trunk on a Wing can't weigh that much causing too much difference. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | You can easily order the power windshield kit for it, lots of owners getting that. I may look into as well. As for handling yes it's very different from a wing. Shaving the trunk and some other small bits shaved 62lbs off the bike. They also lowered the center of gravity by lowering the motor. The gunfighter seat moves much farther back off the dash than a Wing as well which helps. It feels very spritely, a bit more so than the Vision. I've always felt that Victory did a great job of mirroring the handling of the GoldWing and that's not a bad thing to many a Wing is just a 900lb sport bike. I think the Vision handling is very similar to that only with more ground clearance so you can really get down with it. Take the trunk off the Vision and it's really a lot like the F6B. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| Did you consider visiting Kevinx so ur vision would have a lil more performance than the f6b? Then it have all you need in 1 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 65
| jeffmack - 2013-12-22 6:38 PM
Did you consider visiting Kevinx so ur vision would have a lil more performance than the f6b? Then it have all you need in 1
Jeffmack,
I did just that before I traded my Vision (26,000 miles/1 year) in on a F6B. I just don't think you should have to spend a couple grand to get the kind of engine performance you expect. I owned several high performance sport-touring bikes before the Vision and thought I could get used to the big V-twin and it is much better than any stock HD but just not enough for me.
The Vision was the most comfortable bike with the best wind management I have ever experienced and I miss that. IMO a Goldwing (or F6B) will never be as comfortable as a Vision. The F6B seems to have a lower CG, feels lighter at slow speeds and IMO handles better but the Vision was a great bike. The Honda is just better for me.
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
Clinton, CT | I directly cross shopped the Honda against the Victory along with the Harley EGlide and Road Glide.
Very nice bike but just not my cup 'o tea. I would agree that it seems to be an oddly similar stablemate...
/r
Allen |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| Enjoy
Edited by jeffmack 2013-12-22 11:00 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | I agree the power on the F6B is awesome. My S1 Vision with exhaust, tune and performance filter just barely pulls away from my buddies HD 103 with pipes, filter, cam, tune, gutted cat. My F6b leaves him so far behind it's not even funny. By the end of first gear giving him about a 2 bike head start and him going first I catch him on the 1-2 shift and just leave him in the dust. It would take a lot for a Vision to match that performance, even with all the Lloyds stuff it would be closer for sure.
I still love my Vision though I'm ok with it no hauling ass like the F6 that's why I have it. I rode it all day today with some other Vic guys and had so much fun then came home later and pulled the F6 out and went and played around for about 150miles. Love them both! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 166
Bullhead City, AZ | When we went to Hollister the last summer the Vic dealer also sells Honda and although the F6 looked cool and I know the Goldwings have lots of power. It did not compare to Vision in comfort. It felt like my legs were to far under me. Kind of like an English riding style on horses. My cousin has a Wing and he said the same thing only backwards. He feels, even with the boards,his feet are to far in front with the Vision. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| PhantomX - 2013-12-22 11:49 PM
I agree the power on the F6B is awesome. My S1 Vision with exhaust, tune and performance filter just barely pulls away from my buddies HD 103 with pipes, filter, cam, tune, gutted cat. My F6b leaves him so far behind it's not even funny. By the end of first gear giving him about a 2 bike head start and him going first I catch him on the 1-2 shift and just leave him in the dust. It would take a lot for a Vision to match that performance, even with all the Lloyds stuff it would be closer for sure.
I still love my Vision though I'm ok with it no hauling ass like the F6 that's why I have it. I rode it all day today with some other Vic guys and had so much fun then came home later and pulled the F6 out and went and played around for about 150miles. Love them both!
Phantomx
Sounds like a sweet ride. Different bike and missions and jealous you have both. But just to keep thing real and honest, it doesn't take a lot at all for the vision to measure up. Only 1150.00 and a visit to kevinx gets you a dyno sheet run of 107-112 hp to 107-115 tq (mine was 109x113) The f6b dyno's at 104-108hp and 113-118 tq. Yes the vision needs some ooopmh, but lets not call 1150.00 a lot : ). I see the f6b in 10 1/4 runs averages a 11.84 run, I have done several 1/4 runs with a similar average and a 11.72 best. Enjoy them, you have two of the finest machines out there! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | yeah that's definitely booking. Where is KevinX? it's not just the work on the Vision that has to be done but the travel to get to him, etc. I thought there was someone in Florida that did this? And honestly with filter, S1 tune and Exhaust i think the Vision has plenty of oomph with that work done. it made all the difference in the world. Of course I'm a power junkie so the extra cams and tuning would be freakin awesome! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| Kevin is close enough to you. He is outside of Gainesville , fl. Little town called newberry. Cool little town, great BBQ joint , and a clean hotel to hang is while Kevin works his magic. If I remember right he only needs 3-4 hours with your bike once it cools down. It's a must mod. 70k mikes on mine since I went to see Kevin, problem free, little better gas mileage, and power to make you grin. You may as well have both bikes rolling stoutly.
You can reach out to Kevin here, his screen name is KevinX
Good luck and enjoy those rides |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | PhantomX - 2013-12-22 11:49 PM
I agree the power on the F6B is awesome. My S1 Vision with exhaust, tune and performance filter just barely pulls away from my buddies HD 103 with pipes, filter, cam, tune, gutted cat. My F6b leaves him so far behind it's not even funny. By the end of first gear giving him about a 2 bike head start and him going first I catch him on the 1-2 shift and just leave him in the dust. It would take a lot for a Vision to match that performance, even with all the Lloyds stuff it would be closer for sure.
I still love my Vision though I'm ok with it no hauling ass like the F6 that's why I have it. I rode it all day today with some other Vic guys and had so much fun then came home later and pulled the F6 out and went and played around for about 150miles. Love them both!
Go see Kevin and have him add the cams, a fuel controller, and raise the rev-limiter to 6400-6500 RPM. Increasing the rev-limit is very important if you want to get the full use of the cams. The stock rev-limiter holds you back by several MPH in each gear, forcing you to shift way too soon, and restricts the potential of the cams. You need to be able to run past 6000 RPM in each gear, shifting as the needle passes 6000. Lloydz cams are still making power at that RPM and the bike pulls hard all the way past 6000.
Then, your Vision will haul ass nearly as fast as your F6B (the Honda is a little lighter, so will be very slightly quicker if the power is exactly the same for the two bikes). The Harley will then get spanked handily by BOTH of your bikes, and by about the same amount.
Ronnie |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| ... Where is KevinX? ... KevinX is in Gainesville, Florida (if he hasn't moved). The 116 kit has been out for a while now and Polaris came out with the 111 Indian engines. There is no reason why Victory can't close the OEM power gap between the Victory and GL1800 engines. The F6B is on my short list for my next bike since there are no more Victory dealerships in my area. Since I ride 2 up, I would like a better backrest on the F6B for my wife. Also would like the heated seats and ABS which isn't on the US version of the F6B. The heated seat is easy, but the ABS is not unless you buy a Canadian F6B. Don't know why Honda chose to leave ABS off the US FSBs. Also got to love the F6B's charging system. Plenty of spare power to add whatever accessories you want. Another thing Victory could address.
Edited by TimS 2013-12-28 11:43 AM
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | TimS - 2013-12-28 11:35 AM
... Where is KevinX? ... KevinX is in Gainesville, Florida (if he hasn't moved).? The 116 kit has been out for a while now and Polaris came out with the 111 Indian engines.? There is no reason why Victory can't close the OEM power gap between the Victory and GL1800 engines. The F6B is on my short list for my next bike since there are no more Victory dealerships in my area.? Since I ride 2 up, I would like a better backrest on the F6B for my wife.? Also would like the heated seats and ABS which isn't on the US version of the F6B.? The heated seat is easy, but the ABS is not unless you buy a Canadian F6B.? Don't know why Honda chose to leave ABS off the US FSBs.? Also got to love the F6B's charging system.? Plenty of spare power to add whatever accessories you want.? Another thing Victory could address.
The stock Victory Vision 106 makes as much, or more, rear wheel power than the GL1800 engine with just the addition of a fuel controller, a top air filter, Lloydz VM1 cams, and a Lloydz reprogrammed ECU--while running the stock Vision front filter and stock quiet exhaust. My Vision with the mods listed is consistently 3/10ths of a second quicker and 4 MPH faster in a quarter mile than a GL1800, proven repeatedly on a real drag strip, and consistently beats them by about 1 to 1 1/2 MPG on real road trips, and has a higher top speed than they do, proven in the real world on real roads. Why do you think you need a 116 kit to beat them? All you need is the removal of the EPA limitations on the stock motor. Remember--the GL1800 engine was certified in 2000 and the Victory was certified in 2007 with more restrictive regulations. Honda has still not come up with a newly certified Goldwing engine--sticking with a now 14 year old design, and even using that 14 year old certification with the new F6B and Valkyrie. There is a reason for that.
I run two complete sets of heated gear, which includes jacket, pants, insoles, and gloves (totaling 250 watts), plus the HID headlight, a CB radio, and the heated seat, all simultaneously with my 2008 Vision. How much more electrical power do you think the Vision needs? The Goldwing certainly has an over-abundance of charging capacity, but the Vision isn't suffering from a shortage either.
Ronnie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | Hmm May need to go see Kevin then. That would be a lot of fun! As for passenger comfort on the F6B just get the backrest extender for the stock passenger backrest. It's a must and it's only $50. You can also add a GIVI top trunk if you want with passenger backrest. It's removable so when your two up use the trunk box when your not just unclip it. Easier than disassembling the Vision to take the trunk off (it is a nice feature that you can though).
So far everyone I've taken out prefers the F6B as a passenger. There is more room back there then the Vision which we've all known for a long time, the Vision could really use a couple more inches in the passenger area. I think the passengers, at least mine all prefer the butter smooth and quiet of the Honda, me I love the thumping VTwin but that's not for everyone.
When it comes down to it I'm very grateful to have both bikes. I love them equally. They both have there merits and they offer different riding experiences. I still smile like a giddy school girl every time I wind up the Twin but the smoothness of the Honda is also great to have. If you can only have one, well that's a tough choice but i sure do enjoy both of mine! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 810
| ... How much more electrical power do you think the Vision needs? ... I did the various mods to my Vision to get extra power (on the top end, lost on the bottom end) and then went though 4 clutches ($600+ towing charges, lost vacations, plus repairs). I don't trust the bike for any trips due to the clutch issues, thus the reason for a OEM stock solution that includes the entire drive train. Also had to disconnect the gear selector after installing the ECU. Putting the bike into gear kills the engine with the gear selector connected (confirmed issue with some 2008 Visions and the reprogrammed ECU). Putting the brakes on at a stop light will drain my battery (unless I manually keep the RPMs up). Other Victory wrenches have verified this issue with other Visions (not just mine). I preordered the 65 amp stator (that appeared in the 2008 and 2009 catelogs) when I ordered my 2008 Vision but it never materialized. I thought I was buying a touring bike (which included accessories). I have a stereo, Xenon HIDS, driving lights, heated seats, heated grips and 2 sets of heated clothing (jacket liners and gloves). I would expect to be able to run them all at once, but that is NOT the case. I even converted a lot of my lights to LEDs to get some current back.
Edited by TimS 2013-12-29 11:46 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | TimS - 2013-12-29 11:38 PM
... How much more electrical power do you think the Vision needs? ... I did the various mods to my Vision to get extra power (on the top end, lost on the bottom end) and then went though 4 clutches ($600+ towing charges, lost vacations, plus repairs).? I don't trust the bike for any trips due to the clutch issues, thus the reason for a OEM stock solution that includes the entire drive train.? Also had to disconnect the gear selector after installing the ECU.? Putting the bike into gear kills the engine with the gear selector connected (confirmed issue with some 2008 Visions and the reprogrammed ECU). Putting the brakes on at a stop light will drain my battery (unless I manually keep the RPMs up).? Other Victory wrenches have verified this issue with other Visions (not just mine).? I preordered the 65 amp stator (that appeared in the 2008 and 2009 catelogs) when I ordered my 2008 Vision but it never materialized.? I thought I was buying a touring bike (which included accessories). I have a stereo, Xenon HIDS, driving lights, heated seats, heated grips and 2 sets of heated clothing (jacket liners and gloves).? I would expect to be able to run them all at once, but that is NOT the case.? I even converted a lot of my lights to LEDs to get some current back.
Wow! If I had that kind of experience, I wouldn't trust the bike either. You must have gotten a lemon. I have had only good experience with mine, and it outruns Goldwings, can loft the front wheel at the drag strip if I'm not careful, (and I use a full synthetic oil) and I've never had a clutch failure. I have Lloydz reprogrammed ECU and it works great and it also recovered the slight loss of low end power that the cams caused, as proven by roll-on testing against a Goldwing--before and after the ECU upgrade. My stock 2008 electrical system is fully capable of running two complete sets of heated gear. Admittedly, the voltage drops at an idle at stoplights, but it doesn't "drain the battery" and the voltage goes right back up as soon as we get underway again.
Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Ronnie |
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