Different from the F6B!!

I like that it's a six-shooter and pipes prove it.

I think we can all agree that a lot of thought went into producing a wing that is not a wing. IT came without all the bells and whistles on purpose, less weight, a no frills machine meant to do exactly what I do each day. I jump on it an ride it for a little while. I'm not going anywhere... I'm going out there looking, smelling, dodging, moving in and out, speeding up and slowing down, and returning home to momma and the dog. I'm grinning and hungry!

It is my daily me-time device and doesn't match anything going on in the so called real world. I'm flying, I'm chillin, I'm changing course in my mind and above all else, making me mentally healthier.

That's a big deal! I get it!

I like the goldwings. I like the F6B's. I love the Valkyrie and appreciate the thought and effort that went into producing it. Yeah! We sometimes need all the stuff to travel and be comfortable but it takes away from why it exists.

I owned an F6B, when I decided to grab a Valkyrie before they were all gone.
The "B" is no slouch, and will beat most cruisers out there.
But the Valk is completely awesome.

Its exhaust note is just a tad richer than the standard Wing or F6B.
It really means something to me to be the owner of one of the most radical motorcycles on the road today.
I know I'm not alone here.

I don't want "information" when I'm out there on the Valk.
All I want is the sensation of speed, the wind and sky, and the feeling of emancipation from my everyday duties.
I actually like the fact that the Valk lacks a display screen, Apple CarPlay, and a gear indicator.
Who needs them, when the objective is to just GO!!!

LoL. There is only 1 opening on each side of the 14-15 Valkyrie Pipes. The other two are faux. That is just a beauty tip with a inner design.

Also don’t believe everything you read as advertisement. Here is the same magazine testing each bike 2 weeks apart and they each made 105 hp.

https://ridermagazine.com/2014/05/06/2014-honda-gold-wing-f6b-review/

https://ridermagazine.com/2014/04/25/2014-honda-valkyrie-rider-test/

I have had both models. There are a few differences. The F6B airbox lid has 2 openings - each side in front whereas the Valkyrie has 1 in front and 1 in rear. The F6C silencers are smaller and tuned for more noise.

I feel like the F6B handles better due to the lower center gravity of weight from the 1” smaller diameter wheels and from the fuel tank below the rider versus above and in front which it is on the Valkyrie.

Changing to Torq Loopz, exhaust and tune makes a difference in both response and power. This will make either of the bikes more enjoyable to ride. I wanted front fairing and radio and made the switch from the F6C to the F6B.

HondaBilly said:

I'm relatively new around here, so forgive me if this has been presented before.
But, the Valkyrie IS a little different from the F6B, in more than just appearance.

If you get down on your knees and peer into the end of the exhaust pipe on an F6B, you see just 1 port for the three cylinders on that side. So there is one exhaust port on each side, for a total of TWO.
On a Valkyrie exhaust, there are three, separate exhaust ports inside each pipe, one for each cylinder on either side of the motor, for a total of SIX.
The exhaust on a Valkyrie is also somewhat shorter.
And, the airbox on a Valkyrie is a little different, too.

These differences amount to approximately 5% more power, compared to the F6B's engine.
Tested on the dyno, a 2014 Valkyrie produced 104.8 hp and 112.4 lb-ft torque, which converts to 120.52 hp and 129.26 ft-lb at the flywheel.
That's pretty impressive!


Check it out:


https://ridermagazine.com/2014/04/25/2014-honda-valkyrie-rider-test/

Click to expand...

I trust my article

Joflewbyu2 said:

LoL. There is only 1 opening on each side of the 14-15 Valkyrie Pipes. The other two are faux. That is just a beauty tip with a inner design.

Also don’t believe everything you read as advertisement. Here is the same magazine testing each bike 2 weeks apart and they each made 105 hp.

https://ridermagazine.com/2014/05/06/2014-honda-gold-wing-f6b-review/

https://ridermagazine.com/2014/04/25/2014-honda-valkyrie-rider-test/

I have had both models. There are a few differences. The F6B airbox lid has 2 openings - each side in front whereas the Valkyrie has 1 in front and 1 in rear. The F6C silencers are smaller and tuned for more noise.

I feel like the F6B handles better due to the lower center gravity of weight from the 1” smaller diameter wheels and from the fuel tank below the rider versus above and in front which it is on the Valkyrie.

Changing to Torq Loopz, exhaust and tune makes a difference in both response and power. This will make either of the bikes more enjoyable to ride. I wanted front fairing and radio and made the switch from the F6C to the F6B.

Click to expand...

I think I'll trust my article rather than yours from ridermagazine.
Your f6b review claims that a full-face helmet won't fit in the saddlebags?
That's completely WRONG!
Either my size Large Shoei or Arai will fit in the right side bag easily.
I'll grant you...you cannot trust everything you read. There are plenty of hacks publishing things. There always have been.

But after riding my F6B and my Valkyrie back to back, I'd bet my bottom dollar that the Valkyrie wins a performance competition. Not by a lot, but for sure.

Again...an F6B is formidable. But the Valkyie is tuned differently. The motor sounds better. It's a slightly more responsive, faster motorcycle.

HondaBilly said:

I think I'll trust my article rather than yours from ridermagazine.
Your f6b review claims that a full-face helmet won't fit in the saddlebags?
That's completely WRONG!
Either my size Large Shoei or Arai will fit in the right side bag easily.
I'll grant you...you cannot trust everything you read. There are plenty of hacks publishing things. There always have been.

But after riding my F6B and my Valkyrie back to back, I'd bet my bottom dollar that the Valkyrie wins a performance competition. Not by a lot, but for sure.

Again...an F6B is formidable. But the Valkyie is tuned differently. The motor sounds better. It's a slightly more responsive, faster motorcycle.

Click to expand...

I will trust the magazine that tested both bikes just a month apart. Helmets come in different shapes, sizes and models. My full face does not fit. There is no performance difference on the intake. Honda had to redesign the intake because of the Valkyrie’s fuel tank location and could not fit both intake ducts on the front sides. They placed one in the front center and the other in the rear center which allows the intake resonance to be heard. The intake areas are not larger. The intake box bottom is larger which produces a deeper resonance. The smaller mufflers allow more growl too but do not add hp. As a matter of fact, Honda actually quotes the Valkyrie at 2 hp less than the GW (116 vs 118). Long story short, neither make a difference worth arguing about since most will do Torq Loops, exhaust and a tune which completely transforms the bike into a more enjoyable and better performing bike. It is like buying a Harley. No one keeps them stock. Usually slip ons, intake and tune are done as well as seat, pegs and shields. To each their own. I prefer the F6B due to the superior lighting, better stability at speed due to the fairing, easier handling due from the lower center of gravity and more aftermarket choices from venders. The Valkyrie is a great value and alternative to many muscle cruisers but is not a bagger in any way. It is like comparing a Harley Touring bike to their Dyna models.