2013 Gold Wing F6B

2013 Gold Wing F6B

Release date: 12 November 2012

New model: Stripped out and low, the new Gold Wing F6B mates the Gold Wing’s awesome 1800cc flat-six cylinder torque and a nimble handling chassis to Bagger style, creating a unique custom-touring motorcycle that’s big on excitement and flair.

Contents:

1 Introduction

2 Model overview

3 Key features

4 Accessories

5 Technical specifications

1. Introduction

The Honda Gold Wing has always stood alone. Launched as the GL1000 in 1975, its horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine was not only physically different, it felt very different: jet turbine-like, with a silky torque output perfect for long days in the saddle.

A six-cylinder, 1500cc overhaul in 1987 saw the Gold Wing once again state its intent and purpose as the true King of Motorcycles. The GL1800, debuted in 2000, further cemented the Wing’s unique status.

And nothing has changed to this day. But a trend appearing over the course of the last decade, mainly in the USA, has seen fully-dressed touring bikes stripped down; a couple of bags on the back, a cut-down screen and more minimal fairing has injected a custom attitude to what has traditionally been a ‘mature’ market. This style of bike has become known as a “Bagger”. With a combination of cool credibility, useful practicality and exciting style they’ve been inspired by, and in turn have attracted, a much younger rider.

Honda, responding to customers’ needs and desires, has built a new breed of Gold Wing to sit alongside the original. Stripped, stylish and smooth, part custom, part cruiser the Gold Wing F6B is all Bagger: a touring bike distilled to its very essence.

Mr. Teishiro Goto, Large Project Leader Gold Wing F6B:

“The new Gold Wing F6B we are launching is a lightweight and stylish touring bike. It features optimised equipment and specifications to further improve dynamic performance, while retaining great riding comfort so that current owners of the Gold Wing as well as younger riders can casually enjoy the new model’s agility. It is a noticeably user-friendly motorcycle on city streets, as well as for touring, and it is my hope that the introduction of this new Gold Wing F6B will lead more people of new generations to enjoy the world of the King of Motorcycles first hand.”

2. Model Overview

The 1,832cc six-cylinder engine driving the Gold Wing F6B is one of motorcycling’s masterworks. But it’s the style of the new bike that initially grabs attention; minus the rear top box and with its stubby screen the long, low Gold Wing F6B flows fluidly from front to rear. Unique seats provide support for rider and pillion and the 4-speaker sound system guarantees listening pleasure, even at speed.

The twin-spar aluminium frame provides strength and delivers a great handling motorcycle, as do 45mm anti-dive telescopic forks and Pro-Link rear suspension. The machine’s Dual Combined ABS braking system ensures rapid and secure stopping power on a variety of road surfaces and conditions.

Built to be at home in an urban environment as well as on the open road, the Gold Wing F6B is lighter – 28kgs less than the Gold Wing GL1800 – yet with the same chassis, power and incredible torque output. It is an attractive proposition to a wider range of riders looking for a stylish, useful and unique motorcycle.

3. Key Features

3.1 Chassis

The aim for the Gold Wing F6B’s development team was to produce a nimble-feeling and agile bike. It had to be comfortable to use on a congested city street and fun on a twisty road; and of course had to perform on the open highway.

Constructed from lightweight multi-box aluminium sections the twin-spar frame is aided by the engine’s low centre of gravity to create a great-handling chassis at all – and especially slow – speeds (the engine itself also acts as a stressed member). The 45mm telescopic forks feature anti-dive, while the Pro-Link monoshock can be manually adjusted for spring preload. Rake is set at 29.15°, trail 109mm. Overall dimensions are (L) 2605mm × (W) 945mm × (H) 1255mm with wheelbase of 1,690mm and kerb weight of 385kg.

The Dual Combined ABS works between the twin 296mm floating front discs and three-piston calipers, plus rear 316mm ventilated disc/three piston caliper and apportions braking forces evenly, assisted by ABS in wet or slippery conditions. A hollow-section 18-inch 5-spoke cast aluminium front wheel wears a 130/70-R18 tyre, and the 18-inch hollow-section 5-spoke rear a 180/60 R16.

CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) helped sculpt the Gold Wing F6B’s upper fairing, while blacked-out (with a combination of matt black and dark metallic coatings) wheels, engine, forks, frame and lower cowls underpin the striking paintwork and complement its low-slung lines. A further finishing touch was added to burnish the bike’s appearance by placing a chromium-plated emblem, made exclusively for the Gold Wing F6B, on the side cover.

The short screen has been carefully designed to allow a feeling of freedom yet still give decent weather protection; larger circular meters, with LCD indicators underneath, provide relevant information in an easy-to-read format, with typical Gold Wing style and quality. Storage space is provided by the lockable twin rear bags and a cubbyhole in the centre console. Fuel capacity is 25-litres, including 4.4-litre warning light reserve.

In creation of the Gold Wing F6B, Honda has taken the Gold Wing GL1800 back to basics. Gone are the options of sat-nav and airbag, as well as the electric reverse gear, cruise control, illuminated switchgear, turn signal auto-cancel and seat heaters. The seat for rider and pillion is brand new, and delivers a much greater sense of space – almost like riding in a convertible car. The rear pillion now has footpegs (instead of running boards) and black aluminium grab rails.

No Gold Wing of any persuasion would be complete without music to ride by, and the Gold Wing F6B is no exception. It features a four-speaker stereo system, placed in front of the rider that delivers vivid sound clarity and strong bass performance. It also supports iPod or USB Flash Drive connectivity, and tunes in MP3, WMA or AAC format can be accessed and played on the move.

The Gold Wing F6B will be available in two colour options:

Graphite Black

Magna Red

3.2 Engine

Precisely metered fuel and air mixture by PGM-FI fuel injection the Gold Wing F6B’s 1,832cc, horizontally opposed SOHC 2-valve six-cylinder engine has a bore and stroke of 74mm x 71mm, compression ratio of 9.8:1 and produces 167Nm torque @ 4,000rpm, with power output of 87kW @ 5,500rpm. Few riders will forget their first encounter with this particular motor – its smooth power delivery and instant avalanche of torque are rapidly addictive.

For improved environmental performance in addition to the air injection system reducing the oxidation reaction of unburned gases, HECS3 (Honda Evolution Catalysing System 3) employs a three-way catalytic process and ensures greatly reduced nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide output levels.

The five-speed gearbox includes an overdrive top gear and delivers the engine’s torque via shaft drive; in the quest to strip out the Gold Wing F6B, and, contributing to the overall 28kg weight reduction, the electric reverse has been removed.

4. Accessories

Also available for the Gold Wing F6B will be a host of accessory parts, including:

5-position heated grips.

High screen

Backrest

Rear carrier

Main stand

Fog lights

Chrome bar ends

Chrome front fender extension

Chrome disc covers

Chrome pivot cover

Chrome sidestand

Bike cover

5. Technical Specifications

ENGINE

Type: Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 12-valve SOHC flat-6

Displacement: 1,832cc

No of Valves per Cylinder: 2

Bore x Stroke: 74 x 71 mm

Compression Ratio: 9.8: 1

Max. Power Output: 87kW/5,500rpm (95/1/EC)

Max. Torque: 167Nm/4,000rpm (95/1/EC)

Oil Capacity: 4.6L

FUEL SYSTEM

Carburation: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection with automatic choke

Fuel Tank Capacity: 25litres (including 4.4L warning light reserve)

Fuel Consumption: 15.38km/l (WMTC mode)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance

Starter: Electric

Battery Capacity: 12V/20AH

DRIVETRAIN

Clutch Type: Hydraulic, Wet, multiplate with coil springs

Transmission Type: 5-speed (including overdrive)

Final Drive: Enclosed shaft, 2.750 (33/12) reduction

FRAME

Type: Diamond; triple-box-section aluminium twin-spar

CHASSIS

Dimensions (LxWxH): 2,605 x 945 x1,455mm

Wheelbase: 1,690mm

Caster Angle: 29° 15'

Trail: 109mm

Turning Radius: 3.3m

Seat Height: 725mm

Ground Clearance: 125mm

Kerb Weight: 385kg (F:179kg; R: 205kg)

SUSPENSION

Type: Front: 45mm telescopic fork with anti-dive

Rear Pro-Link Pro-Arm with electronically-controlled spring preload adjustment

WHEELS

Type: Front: Hollow-section 5-spoke cast aluminium

Rear Hollow-section 5-spoke cast aluminium

Rim Size: Front: 18 x MT3.5

Rear 16 x MT5

Tyres: Front: 130/70-R18 (63H)

Rear 180/60-R16 (74H)

BRAKES

ABS System Type: Dual Combined ABS (C-ABS)

Type: Front: 296 x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with Combined 3-piston calipers, ABS, floating rotors and sintered metal pads

Rear: 316 x 11mm ventilated disc with 3-piston caliper, CBS, ABS and sintered metal pads