Well, I am depressed. Sold my '08 RK prior to my retirement and move to TX 11 months ago. Told my wife I didn't want the hassle of transporting it...knowing full well I would buy something new after the move (She bought that lame line). I loved that bike. Now I see the M8s are potentially a headache...or worse! I know I could get lucky and not have any problems but I am not the lucky sort of guy. I really need some wind therapy. Don't know if I can wait for the 2019s or 2020s. Not getting any younger. Hate to go to another brand but that may be in the cards for me.

 

Craigslist will cheer you up!

So many low mile, less than 3 years old, continuously for sale Harleys. Amazes me how many guys (and women) spend BIG$$$ on a Harley, ride it ~2000 miles in 2 years, park it for a year, then sell it (with a new battery) for 20-50% less than what they have invested in it.

Get yourself a 3 year old 103 whatever with low miles...save a bunch of money over new, and no (totally justified) worry about all the problems than come with new model year engines (ect.).

 

Not getting any younger ... right! Stop worrying and get your '18. Mine is being uncrated this week. My techs (whom I've been associated with for over 25 years) swear by them and have had absolutely no string of complaints as posted on the forum. Yes, I was going to wait for a '19 but what the hell! I might not be able to ride next year. If you're really anxious, keep it stock and buy the ESP and then lay back and lay on the throttle!!

 

Not an expert on this, but I've read some stories where the service plan (ESP) was only good at the dealer it was purchased from..poor dude road the bike across the country, had an out-of-warrenty breakdown and had to pay the full price because the ESP....was only good at the dealer that sold it...

Is that how they normally work?

 

 

That is the first I have ever heard of that. My advice, get the bike, newest build date and ride!

 

Have you ridden the m8? DO IT !That will make you get back on the horse.Most folks are racking up miles without problems, I'm one of them. 1/17 build date and 8500 wonderful miles. My 17 M8 SGS put my 15 103 TC Heritag to shame. Ended up eventually selling the Heritage cause it just didn't have the juice compared to the M8.

Go for it.

 

It's not a matter of "like", it's a matter of trust; does he trust it?...does he trust his luck? Apparently the answer to both, for him, is "no".

Understandable; no way am I going to be a BIG$$ guinea pig for Harley to "work out the issues" with a motor; nope.

 

I'm thinkin you haven't taken one for a ride yet either or else you would be racking up some trouble free miles on the best Harley engine yet.