Honda GL 1800 GOLDWING F6B 2014 — Specifications

Who would have thought you could put a Goldwing on a diet and give it the look of an American bagger? Honda did it with the 2014 GL 1800 F6B, trimming the fat from its Grand Touring queen to produce a sleeker, lighter machine squarely aimed at stylish cruising. The concept comes straight from the United States, where the bagger trend is in full swing. The principle is simple: keep the legendary flat-six, a pair of saddlebags, a small windscreen, and toss everything else overboard. Top case, tall windshield, heated seat, reverse gear, GPS, optional airbag — all gone. The result: 28 kilos less on the scales and nearly 6,000 euros saved compared to the standard Goldwing. At 24,199 euros, the F6B remains a substantial investment, but the price tag goes down much easier than its big sister's.

Beneath that slimmed-down silhouette still beats the same 1,832 cc flat-six, an engine nobody else offers in this category. With 118 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and, more importantly, 166.7 Nm of torque available from just 4,000 rpm, this horizontally opposed six-cylinder doesn't play the raw power card. The BMW K 1600 and its 160 horsepower outclass it on paper. But the Honda isn't looking for a fight on that front. Its strength lies in a rare mechanical smoothness, a linear thrust that moves the 384 kg with disconcerting ease. The flat-six runs silky smooth, vibration-free, without any jerkiness, with that muffled exhaust note that makes you forget the sheer mass of the machine. The five-speed gearbox and shaft drive round out a package designed to devour miles without ever tiring the rider.

On the chassis side, Honda changed nothing compared to the standard Goldwing. The aluminum twin-spar frame, the 45 mm telescopic hydraulic fork fitted with an anti-dive system, and the Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm with Pro-Link shock absorber are carried over as-is. Braking combines two 296 mm discs up front and a 316 mm disc at the rear, all served by three-piston calipers and linked ABS. The seat, perched at just 725 mm, reassures shorter riders and those who prefer a low stance. The 25-liter tank allows decent range without being generous for a machine of this size, but the top speed capped at 200 km/h confirms that the F6B has no sporting pretensions whatsoever.

What truly sets the F6B apart is its aesthetic treatment. Mechanical components — engine, frame, wheels, fork, side guards — are finished in matte or gloss black to assert a custom identity the standard Goldwing never claimed. Specific chrome logos adorn the fairing sides. The audio system with USB and MP3 compatibility remains standard, so as not to sacrifice all comfort on the altar of style. The redesigned seat, dedicated passenger footpegs, and specific grab handles complete its distinct personality.

The Honda GL 1800 F6B targets a very specific audience: the rider who dreams of a Goldwing but finds the full version too imposing, too loaded, too much of an "ocean liner." It's a machine for the laid-back tourer, not the track rider or the hurried commuter. It will also suit those coming from the custom world who want to move upmarket mechanically without compromising their aesthetic tastes. Its main drawback remains its weight, which despite the slimming cure is still considerable in slow-speed maneuvers. But once underway, the F6B glides over the tarmac with a serenity few motorcycles can offer. Honda pulled it off: delivering a Goldwing for those who never wanted one.