Honda enters a somewhat different genre with their new 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B, moving from being an exclusive luxury-touring bike to serving as both a boulevard cruiser and a custom tourer. Tool around town being cool, or take off for a long weekend – the new F6B is equally suited to handle both scenarios.
The 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B comes with some significant changes that put it more on par with Harley-Davidson’s top of the line heavy cruisers, say for instance their CVO Road Glide Custom Anniversary – at least in terms of styling flavor. Both are essentially luxury baggers. F6B, we’re told, stands for “Flat Six Bagger”, which certainly seems appropriate enough. The F6B is still very much a Gold Wing, but the base model costs considerably less than the standard GW, loses the rear trunk pack, eliminates the reverse gear, cruise control and electric rear suspension adjustment in the interest of weight savings (tipping the scale at 62 pounds less than a standard Gold Wing). It comes with a very short windscreen atop its large fairing. The base F6B starts at $19,999. Get the Deluxe version for an additional thousand dollars and a center stand is added, (but only God knows why). Okay, it’s good for checking fluid levels and changing oil. Heated grips are another add-on, as are self-canceling turn signals and passenger seat backrest.
Motive force for the F6B is delivered by an 1832cc, SOHC, 12-Valve, liquid-cooled horizontally opposed (flat) six-cylinder motor with PGM-Fuel Injection. Power is geared to the rear wheel via shaft drive via a five-speed sequential manual gearbox including overdrive.
The big luxury bagger rolls on Bridgestone Exedra Radials up front: 130/70R-18 – 63H M/C and 180/60R-16 – 74H M/C rubber in the rear, mounted on 5-swirl-spoke, Black hollow cast alloy wheels.
Suspension componentry consists of – 45mm cartridge forks forward, with an anti-dive system and 4.8- inches of travel, and a Pro Arm single-side swingarm with a Pro-Link single shock with remote-controlled spring preload adjustment aft, with 4.1 inches of travel. The frame is more akin to that of a sportbike with its aluminum construction.
In terms of its visual appeal, the F6B is more futuristic and streamlined than the standard Wing. It is available in either Red or Black. The Red pops, while the Black comes across as stealth-like.
The premium sound system provides four speakers built into the fairing, featuring woofers with integrated tweeters, which works fine at low, around town cruising speeds, but is overshadowed by wind rush off the fairing and short windscreen and around one’s helmet. An available optional, taller windscreen might help, priced at $199.95. Consider it a good idea anyway for taller riders, whether listening to tunes or not, as the buffeting is most annoying with the shorter shield.
My test 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B was the Deluxe model finished in Red which was offset nicely by flat Black finishing on engine, forks, lower fairing, road guards, center stand and lower bag cladding. The base price was $20,999. But figure another couple hundred dollars for dealer prep and handling. The bags are large clamshell affairs, but they’re not large enough for an XXL full-face helmet (there is a helmet lock provided on the left side of the bike, but my helmet strap wasn’t long enough for it to work), and unfortunately, a key is always needed to unlock the bags.
SUMMARY: The 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B is a complete joy to ride except for the wind buffeting experienced with the short windscreen due to my height. It is admittedly heavy to maneuver in slow speed, tight turn situations, but once moving forward, it is silky smooth, with plenty of low-end torque and acceleration on demand with a slight twist of the wrist.
The ride quality is very compliant and rewards riders and passengers with the ultimate in motorcycling comfort. The bike’s balance is superb, and there is no “jacking” from the shaft drive, though the throttle is touchy at lower speeds.
Instrumentation consists of analog gauges for the Tach and Speedo with trip odos and total odo, oil temp and fuel level. Warning lights are provided for other functions. A gear indicator would be a nice touch, since first and second gear ranges are really tall and the ride is so enjoyable, it’s easy to lose track of sequence.
In the “nit-picking” department, the wide pegs are okay, but I happen to be a fan of boards on heavy cruisers, and the gear shift lever is set low and non-adjustable, so getting a boot toe under was often cumbersome. The foot brake was also set low, but is adjustable.
All in all, this latest F6B Gold Wing from Honda is a pleasant departure from the standard full luxury-touring version. It’s leaner, lighter and visually more appealing, and yes, there are some sacrifices made that would enhance cross-country treks, but the F6B is more suitable for short cruises, while still being capable of making longer sojourns. It’s also more affordable than its heavier sibling, while still delivering the same level of performance, and if one should desire to up its touring capability, there are a host of accessories available from Honda.
On The Fast Lane Car’s rating scale of:
• Buy It.
• Rent It
• Lease It.
• Forget It.
Buy It for an impressive blend of Tourer or Cruising Bagger in one Gold Wing.
Base Price: $20,999 / Price as Tested: $21,349* est – dealer prep and handling costs vary.
SPECIFICATIONS: 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B Deluxe
Base Price: $20,999. -Non-Deluxe=$19,999
Price as Tested: $21,349. * Dealer prep and handling can vary.
Engine Type and Size: 1832cc, SOHC, 12-Valve, liquid-cooled horizontally
opposed (flat) six cylinder with PGM-Fuel Injection.
Transmission: Five-speed including overdrive.
Drive Train: Shaft final drive.
Suspension: Front – 45mm cartridge fork with anti-dive system; 4.8
inches of travel.
Rear – Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link single shock with
remote-controlled spring preload adjustment; 4.1 inches of travel.
Brakes: Front: Dual full-floating 296mm discs with CBS three-
piston calipers.
Rear: Single ventilated 316mm disc with CBS three piston caliper.
Tires: Bridgestone Exedra Radials Front: 130/70R-18 – 63H M/C/ Rear:
180/60R-16 – 74H M/C mounted on 5-swirl-spoke, Black hollow cast
alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 66.5 inches
Length Overall: 105.3 inches
Curb Weight: 842 lbs. (dry)
Fuel Capacity: 6.6 gallons.
Seat height: 28.5 inches
0 – 60 mph: 3.3 seconds
Review by Arv Voss, Auto Impressions
