2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B First Ride

Of the manufacturers actively promoting the next generation of motorcyclists, Honda has been at the forefront recently. The first indicators were its jump into the entry-level sportbike niche with the release of its CBR250R. Suddenly Kawasaki’s best-selling little Ninja had a worthy opponent. Honda continued this trend with the introduction of its affordable, rider-friendly 500-series of motorcycles this year along with the release of its versatile NC700X before that.

Climb on with Motorcycle USA as we check out the F6B and take a spin around San Diego and the Cleveland National Forest in our 2013 Honda Gold Wing F6B First Ride video.

Honda’s efforts even extend to its flagship luxury touring motorcycle, the Gold Wing, which also got a refresh in 2013, the new Honda F6B the best hope yet to attract younger rides to the virtues of the stalwart Flat Six-powered motorcycle.

In its effort to liven up the look and expose the Wing to a wider demographic, Honda began by lopping off the plush passenger accommodations and topcase, replacing them with a standard pillion pad, black aluminum grab rails, and dual hard locking saddlebags integrated into one cohesive tail section. The wide front cowling sports a more aggressive look, anchored by the shorty windscreen sandwiched between revamped mirrors, basically the units from the Wing flipped upside down. The view from the side showcases an attractive triple louver design while the panels are skinnier. The exhaust cover is also smaller which allows a hint of chrome from the pipes to peak out beneath the horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. At the far end of those pipes rests re-designed exhaust tips. Honda also swapped out seats, the new Gunfighter saddle shorter, thinner, and at 28.5 inches, a half-inch lower than the one found on the Wing. And while its engine remains virtually unchanged, Honda eliminated the reverse gear that comes standard on the Gold Wing. The combination of losing the topcase, dropping the extra gear, and ditching a few options like cruise control and its wiring resulted in trimming 62 pounds from the GL1800. It also lowered its center of gravity. Throw in a blacked-out color scheme and the 2013 F6B has its own sporting long and low identity.

The F6B has a look that’s both familiar and unique, but climb into its saddle and the differences are immediately recognizable. The bike feels lower and narrower. Riders can snug up closer to the tank thanks to the slimmer seat, pressure points have shifted in the lower back and situating two feet flatly on the ground is a cinch for my six-foot-tall frame. Even though the bike still has a claimed curb weight of 842 pounds, it doesn’t feel like it thanks to a center of gravity that has shifted slightly forward and down on the bike. Without having to look through a tall windscreen and not having the heft of the passenger backrest and topcase behind you provides a different sense of openness to riders. Mid-controls place feet comfortably beneath you and it’s an easy reach to the bars so riders sit upright with a slight forward lean.

But it is when the motorcycle is in motion that the changes are most apparent. Roll on the accelerator and it surges off the line, a wave of gratifying torque smoothly delivered by its 1832cc engine. Its characteristics are much different than launching a V-Twin, the power coming on less abruptly in a power band that is very linear. The highlight is a strong initial push and a healthy midrange, though first gear signed off a little early in the rev range just above 40 mph. Once up to speed, drop it into overdrive fifth and the F6B hums along at 65 mph at a fraction below 3000 rpm, requiring little effort from its liquid-cooled, single overhead cam engine. The powerplant features a parallel two-valve cylinder head with direct shim-under-bucket valve actuation and is a model of efficiency, with almost no noticeable vibrations or mechanical rumblings coming from Honda’s vaunted Flat Six. This despite the fact that its engine serves as a stressed member of the frame and is rigid-mounted. The engine-mounting system features a special design for its hangers and matching mounts that quell most engine vibrations.