Haha...but I do know the difference between a cruiser and a naked standard built on a sport bike platform. Someone can't miss a point if one is not made. Enjoy your BMW R1200R cruiser.

 

My TC with a 107 big bore, stage 3 heads, 10.5 to 1 compression and a fueling 594 cam was dynod at 100/112 at the rear wheel. A new 2017 CVO 114 dynod at 89/108. I have not done injectors or a throttle body yet, but I'm sure there is probably a lot of room for improvement in that M8 too. I'll be keeping my 2017 Breakout.

 

Give it up. You're in over your head.

 

This is exactly what I don't want to happen to me and exactly why I am not buying a new HD. It's been forcing me to look at other manufacturers and it's truly amazing the technology you get in other manufactures at the same price point. The BMW K1600 B and as others have said, the Yamaha Star Venture are both stellar bikes. I honestly do not know what I'm going to do right now, but since winter is just around the corner, I'm not in any hurry to make a decision. I'll keep my built '09 for the foreseeable future.

I honestly do not know how the guys with the M8 Trans Migration issue are keeping their cool. I'd be livid that I paid $25K + on a bike I have to continually check an add/remove fluids. What if you want to go on an actual long tour, you taking extra oil..? That's complete BS the MoCo is selling these bikes with this issue and keeping it hush hush.

 

Ya, ok. And you're basing this on the fact that I was, ummmm...correct!

 

I am! I'm picking up my 2018 Breakout 114ci in 2 days and I can't wait!

 

Good point you have made about room for improvements on the M8, because I was saying the same thing about my brand new 96 CI back in 07 when the t/c 88 with a 95 big bore kit could tear a stock 96 plumb up. The only different between then and now, is that the EPA has a thumb on top of the Harley Davidson MOCO. I do look forward to seeing the Screamin Eagle Pro Racing Catalog, for 2018.

 

Yes the EPA has thrown a wrench in things, That is definitely a swamp that needs some draining. As far as warranty on my bike goes I'll take my chances. Harley's should be loud and fast.

 

Hi, I have been reading this discussion with a lot of interest and thought it might be interesting to share my own experience on this topic. I live in Belgium and have had motorcycles since I got my license when I turned 23. Mostly sports bikes -always 2 cyls- and my last bike was a Voxan Cafe racer. Until recently, I had never owned nor ridden a Harley. In my mid 30s most of my riding buddies switched from sports bikes to cruisers. My buddies went out and got themselves Diavels, Triumph Thunderbird Storm, Triumph Rocket, street glides and Fat Bobs. For me, there were only two options, either the Thunderbird storm or the 2017 model fat bob - I love the muscle car looks. And it took me 2 years of indecisiveness to finally make a choice. If I would have gone for modern technology and power I would have clearly chosen the Thunderbird with its aggressive looks, 156nm and approx 100 HP. But instead I chose the fat bob. Why? Well honestly because Even for someone that doesn't have a Harley experienced background Harley is the original and the rest are copies. For me the 2014 - 2017 Fat Bob oozes heritage and has an undeniable 1979s Dodge Challenger muscle car appearance (something the new FB definitely does not have). The fact that the other bikes were technologically superior wasn't the most important factor. If I hadn't bought my 2017 FB and after seeing the 2018 line up, I am not sure that I would have gone for a Harley. I am not a softail guy, The street bob looks wrong, the low rider just looks way off and the new Fat Bob is a poor attempt to have a go at the Vmax or Diavel. As such the Thunderbird has the same modern technology, a proven engine track record, more power and looks more old timer muscle car. Now I do realize I am not the millenial customer HD might be looking for, but still I was a converted client. With the new line up there would have been no possibility to convert me and I feel the differentiation with bikes like the Thunderbird is smaller than ever before. So small in fact that there is no real reason to not choose a Triumph now. This may only be a side effect and maybe only valid in Europe, but it feels very strange to me for a company like Harley to make itself more equal to the competition, instead of clearly distinguishing itself.

 

At 70 I'm to old to be in the market for a new bike, I'll keep what I've got till I give up. However if I was to buy a new bike after 25 years of riding Harleys I'd go back to Triumphs and get what they call their 'Americanised' bobber the one with the apes etc on. Unfortunately I think Harleys are getting further and further away from their roots, of the new ones I quite like the Fatbob, but it looks more like an old Yamaha Vmax than a Harley.