6 speed cb > 5speed cb??

[JustPassinThru_imp]

When does one really need a 6th gear?
Long time cruising on the interstate.
Why would you ever do that? You need to make some distance fast like a vacation cut short or you are riding in an Iron Butt Competition.
Face it, interstates are dull although convenient when the weather is bad and for lodging access.
The exception would be riding through a large metropolitan city. I tend to stay in the express lane for safety. Only merging from the right and a safe escape exit if required. If the posted speed is 70 and to keep up in that lane, you've got to do 85. How long will that be?
So for most of the riding in the States, fifth does most of us just fine.
On longer hauls you will save some on gas, but that may be another gear for the shifting fork to possibly mishandle down the line.
My 2 centavos.

Not...just.

Empty country roads need it as well. Not all of them are twisties, especially not out West.

Actually, what's needed is a TALL gear. A wide-spread Five-Speed setup would work as well...there could be greater jumps from gear to gear, with that flat torque band.

Someone who could get a buy on a new 2013...might inquire about a smaller rear sprocket to make up for the less-tall top gear. Give it some legs on the open road.