I've owned a Sport 1100 (carb) 5-speed and a V11 LeMans 6-speed.
For me, the lower 1st gear of the V11's 6-speed was welcomed when riding in town or in stop and go traffic.
The 5-speed's shifting in the carb Sport is agricultural compared to the V11 LeMans' 6-speed, but that does have its charms.
Running twisty two-lanes, there isn't much difference in the shifting needs. Basically use 3rd and 4th on Sport 1100 in the same places I use 4th and 5th on the V11 LeMans. Both bikes' torque curves don't require a lot of shifting unless the going gets tight.
So, for me, the two biggies for the 6-speed are the lower 1st that helps in traffic and with a passenger, and the smoother/easier/quieter shifting.
