Yeah and I thought that 80hp from a 1200 vtwin out of the box was doable without asking too much from the moco. Even if it’s to just put 4 valve heads on the engine for better breathing.
I totally understand why the moco has to be careful as to retain the chug chug of the motor and that can be done with a little forthought from their engineers.
There’s some good power to be had from the 1200 mill through better design, just don’t know why the moco is lazy about finding it

Wiz

 

I'm betting less than 1/4 of the M8's have sumping or oil transfer problems. My 17 CVO Street Glide I put 20,526 miles on in 11 months. Zero issues. One of my riding partners put 25xxx on his 17 CVO Street glide trouble free. We are both on 18's now.

My 18 CVO Road glide has 4468 trouble free miles and his 18 CVO street glide has similar trouble fee miles.

I ride with three others that have over 18K trouble free miles on the M8.

 

Maybe you could share with us some of your fine wisdom as to why others have required the moco to replace 3 engines , waiting weeks for spare parts.

Not sure what the problem is but I wouldn’t put it in the hands of the moco engineers to work it out either.

Theres some dud engines out there , people have their rides in shops just for the problems that I speak of, And I feel sorry for them.

Wiz

 

Said this before years ago on here, but it would be nice if Harleys brought out a Sportster useing the old style Softail frame for all us old traditional guys, and the new bikes could be left for the progressive people, cos' these new Softails have sure divided opinions like nothing else on this forum.

 

Get the new bike. There are more M8's out there without issues than with. My only issue has been a switch pack on my trike and it's being fixed under warranty. Engine has been fantastic for well over 5k. Daily ridden weather permitting.

 

I have no experience with the M8 bikes other than a test ride, which was nice. They perform well. And like you I question the internet frenzy of failures. Is it really that bad?

But I will say this, there has been enough info put out there from people that I respect that I personally would hold off. Even the anecdotal information offered in defense of the M8 put the number at "less than 1/4". If it's even close to that number it would be considered a massive issue.

If I had a check and no bike, I honestly would go buy a 2014-2016 garage queen for $10k less than the M8 version. Same bike essentially, just a different, and proven motor. If warranty is important to you, get a 5 year extended warranty and you'll be totally covered and still money ahead.

I've ridden the M8 as mentioned. It does ride out somewhat better than the outgoing TC version. But honestly, it's not even close to night and day. And in real world riding I have absolutely no problems keeping up with friends on their M8s.

 

They still have allot of bikes coming out in the next 5 years (I think that was the time frame).
I hope they work all the issues out, get a couple years on the M8 before (or right as) I retire.
So I can pick up a low mile garage queen to park next to my Deluxe for those long trips after I retire.

 

Whether it's ¼ or ¼%, it's too many, and I wouldn't buy an M8 unless the MOCO started giving the same warranty as a KIA

 

I agree. I even found the failure rate on certain aspects of the TC to be unacceptably high and purchase the extended warranty.

 

You can't ride a check... maybe look at a used '16 if you're concerned about the M8 issues?