2014 Honda Gold Wing F6B Review

Honda F6B’s lower handlebar and rearward-placed pegs give it a slightly sportier seating position.
Honda F6B’s lower handlebar and rearward-placed pegs give it a slightly sportier seating position. (Photos by Kevin Wing)

It’s a great idea. Start with a bike that is well proven as a tourer, then strip off weight, complication and expense. To create the F6B, Honda began with its Gold Wing dresser then, to lighten the load and expense, tossed the trunk, the anti-lock brakes, cruise control, heated grips, centerstand and, with all the weight saved, the electric reverse gear was no longer needed, either. As a result, our basic F6B weighs 62 pounds less than the standard Gold Wing. Run your baby blues over the F6B’s blacked-out wheels, engine and frame, and those low, clean lines. If the Pearl Yellow doesn’t grab you, it’s also available in Black.

Honda F6B Cases
Bags extend out from the fender, and provide a good amount of luggage capacity, but a full-face helmet won’t fit.

The liquid-cooled, 1,832cc horizontally opposed 6-cylinder motor utilizes single overhead cams with two valves per cylinder, fed by the Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) system carried over from the Gold Wing with its two 40mm throttle bodies and six high-pressure fuel injectors. Power rolls through a 5-speed gearbox to the shaft final drive and single-sided swingarm. On Jett Tuning’s dyno, the F6B made copious amounts of ultra-smooth power, peaking at 105 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 111 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. What sets the F6B apart is its high, broad plateau of torque, which exceeds 100 lb-ft from 2,200 rpm to 5,500 rpm (redline is 6,400).

It’s all held by a twin-spar aluminum frame attached to a 45mm fork with 4.8 inches of travel, a cartridge damper and anti-dive system. The rear suspension includes a single Pro-Link shock with revised valving specifically tuned to the F6B. It has a dial-type remote preload adjuster, but no damping adjusters.

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Honda F6B Gauges
Gauges, displays and control buttons grace the F6B’s dashboard, along with two small luggage compartments.

Honda’s Combined Braking System links the front and rear brakes, a system that includes dual floating 296mm rotors and 3-piston calipers up front, while the rear offers a 316mm disc also with a 3-piston caliper. Anti-lock brakes are not available on the F6B, but they are on the dresser Gold Wing. If our test F6B is too sparse for your needs, the F6B Deluxe version adds self-cancelling turn signals, a passenger backrest, heated grips, centerstand and more. It’s available in the same colors and sells for $20,999. If you need its full luxury and convenience, the basic Gold Wing sells for $23,990.

The standard audio system offers not only AM/FM, but also direct MP3/iPod connectivity. The connector is located in the saddlebags, where these devices can be discreetly stored and utilized through the bike’s audio controls.

While the sound from the speakers is soon blown away in the wind at speeds above 40 mph, plug-in headphones are available. The locking saddlebags provide ample storage, and a large, centrally located glovebox is both handy and will hold a pair of winter gloves. There’s also a smaller non-locking storage area.

Honda F6B

Base Price: $19,999
Warranty: 3 yrs., unltd. miles, transferable
Website: powersports.honda.com

Honda F6B Engine
Smooth 6-cylinder motor with less weight to carry assures the F6B of sprightly performance and lighter handling.

Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, longitudinal, horizontally opposed flat six
Displacement: 1,832cc
Bore x Stroke: 74.0 x 71.0mm
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Valve Train: SOHC, 2 valves per cyl.
Valve Adj. Interval: 32,000 miles
Fuel Delivery: PGM-FI w/ automatic choke
Lubrication System: Wet sump, 3.9-qt. cap.
Transmission: 5-speed, hydraulically actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: Shaft, 2.75:1

Electrical
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital
Charging Output: 1,200 watts @ 5,000 rpm
Battery: Sealed, 12V 20AH

Chassis
Frame: Aluminum dual-spar perimeter w/ engine as stressed member & Pro-Arm single-sided aluminum swingarm
Wheelbase: 66.5 in.
Rake/Trail: 29.2 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 28.5 in.
Suspension, Front: 45mm stanchions w/ anti-dive, 4.8-in. travel
Rear: Single shock w/ Pro-Link, remotely adj. for spring preload, 4.1-in. travel
Brakes, Front: Dual discs w/ CBS 3-piston calipers
Rear: Single disc w/ CBS 3-piston caliper
Wheels, Front: Cast, 3.50 x 18 in.
Rear: Cast, 5.00 x 16 in.
Tires, Front: 130/70-HR18
Rear: 180/60-HR16
Wet Weight: 836 lbs.
Load Capacity: 423 lbs.
GVWR: 1,259 lbs.

Performance
Fuel Capacity: 6.6 gallons,
warning light on last 1.0 gal.
MPG: 86 PON min. (low/avg/high) 37.9/39.7/40.7
Estimated Range: 262 miles
Indicated RPM at 60 MPH: 2,700

(This article was a sidebar that ran along with the comparison Ripped vs. Stripped in the May 2014 issue of Rider magazine. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.)

12 COMMENTS

  1. first off, i started ridein when i was 18, am 72 now and still ridein.. my problem is why go to 1800cc for only 10 more hp than the 94 hp of the 1200 goldwing, i have a 86 goldwing setin in my driveway, that i can’t afford to get back on the rd, because i’m retired and just barely getin by, but i am ridein a 96 valcan 800 that gets me where i want to go at 50 mpg, i did get 47 mpg with the goldwing, just can’t see all the fus over a bigger [1800-6] more weight for a losey 10 hp..and less mileage, to me that is dumb, at the price of gas these days……injoy your day..

    • I agree with you Dan Osgood Sr. Sometimes less is more. I feel the same way about my ST1100 vs the ST1300. Never got below 40mpg and it loved to run at 85mph. At slower speeds it usually got 47mpg, and saw a high of 53mpg with 100hp. Not sure there is a suitable replacement.

  2. If you ever drove an 1800 you would understand. It’s not all about mileage. It’s smooth, bullet proof, comfortable and has gobs of torque which means you can drop down to 35 miles per hour and get back up to speed without downshifting. I just sold my Goldwing and after considerable research it’s almost impossible to find something as good or as smooth as a Goldwing!

  3. I traded in my 1-owner ’86 interstate gold wwing (1200 cc) last summer for the F6B…Wow, what a diffrence in handling & torque! I’ve got abt. 5K mi. on it now. My only “complaint” is the smaller windshield. Actually, I like it better than the orig. full sized, in summer and I’m forced to wear a helmet w/ face cover, in cooler/ winter driving (probably a good thing, in long run).
    Anyway, I wanted to post my experience w/ the new F6B: 4.5 stars out of 5.
    PS; I’ve been riding since 10-yrs. old & will be 56 soon.

  4. I bought my F6B in march added the 12″ to 15″ flipover windshield and fog lamps manual cruise control no wind shear flip over don’t get wet in rain no bike compares with these additions I am 58 and I love her

      • He said “mechanical ” cruise c.; it is basically a lock installed over the throttle handlebar. Once you reach the speed you like, u push down a small lever with your finger and it holds the throttle opened. I’ve done a 3000 km trip with it on my vmax. It does the trick and it is cheap!

  5. Looked@ F6b, you got to be kidding me after all these years, no 6 speed, abs, cruise, floorboards on a touring bike? Have ridden Goldwings(1500 &1800), liked them but time has passed them by, need a redesign IMHO.
    I had an 88 Venture Royal which was great, now considering Victory/Indian to replace HD Road King which is a decent ride.

  6. I picked up a new 2013 F6B last year for under $15k. I put 12,000 miles on it between April and October this year. I averaged 42mpg. I generally road between 70-80 mph (with a lot of throttle to spare). The bike has lots of power at any speed and offers an unbelievably stable ride.

    It is a beautiful ride on any paved surface – urban, country and interstate. My wife enjoyed sharing many of the miles on the back pavilion. It’s my first red bike – and I noticed right away that I am far more visible on the road.

    The riding position using the original pegs is great. I added a set of pegs to stretch my legs when helpful – but I only use them on long rides.

    I’ve had zero mechanical issues with it and can’t wait for the 2016 riding season to launch up here in the northland.

  7. I have been a rider for 35 years and thought I had ridden everything until I test rode this beast. This is no “bagger” in any sense. Gone are the numbing vibrations and noise! I have had many 600 mile days on this machine with no aches or pains. Non ABS brakes are no issue. The linked brakes are powerful with no nose dive in hard braking. Handling is near to a sport bike and the engine is just… well … silky smooth with gobs of torque and seemingly endless pull on past the redline. No doubts about my purchase.
    Are there faster bikes on the road? Absolutely! This bike just does things better than any other bike I have ridden. This is the last bike I will ever need. I really like all motorcycles. They give us a sense of freedom out on the open road. Ride on and enjoy what ever fits for you!

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