Originally Posted by northshore_paul

I have been following this thread for about a month now. I had a 1991 EVO FLHTC and now a 2000 FLHTC that I bought with 16,000 miles on the clock. I went looking last month at the new baggers and they do look impressive. The write ups in all the magazines are very positive and so was I until I came across this thread. I figured at my age this would probably be the last new bike I would buy to last me all my driving years, (many I hope).
After reading almost all of the postings on the M8 I'll just stay with my TCM88 and its published problems. With the amount of money Harley wants for the new bikes and the troubles I see people having it is just not worth the risk and heartache. The worse part about what I read is how the Motor Company will not stand behind their product and the hoops owners have to go through to have their problems corrected, if they ever are. So when I want my Harley experience I will just ride my old TCM88 and look to Japan for my final long term life rider. It may not have the vibes of the Harley but at least the new Gold Wing does have reliability and a three year unlimited mileage warranty which I understand rarely has to be used, unlike the new M8's. So sad, and with the financial woes the company has been experiencing I don't see them stepping up to the plate to own the problems that are out there and fix them like they should be fixed.

Originally Posted by northshore_paul

You are so right about the ergonomics. There have been a couple of bikes I bought and sold because they were great bikes....but not for me, the fit just was not comfortable for the long ride. The Electra Glides have the perfect ergonomics for me and I can ride them for miles and miles all day. I've had three Beemers, one airhead and two K bikes. The Air Heads remind me a lot of the Electra Glide as far as the sound of the exhaust and the simplicity and of course the ergonomics. Unfortunately, BMW has gone a different route, and the Airheads are long in the tooth and parts are getting expensive and not as easy to come by. I think if they made an updated version with better electrics, a EFI system like my K100 had, and a couple of other refinements, they then would have kept the traditional BMW riders. Now they are too damn expensive, dealers are too far and few, and they don't want to work on the older bikes. Not good if you don't turn a wrench and are days away from home. I guess there is not a perfect system. I did like the way the dealer setup was before 1990 with HD. A lot of small shops with guys who sold them, rode them and turned the wrenches. This was before the mega boutique shops and catering to the Rolex riding crowd. Oh well, enough of the bitchin.

Originally Posted by Bpeer1

NSP, do you think you are what some would call a HRINO? Harley Rider In Name Only. Just curious.

Originally Posted by northshore_paul

No, because I don't consider myself a Harley rider, but I consider myself a motorcycle rider, whether I am riding my Honda, Suzuki, my Harleys, or when I rode my Guzzis, BMW's, Kawasaki, Yamaha, etc. I don't think anyone should be married to a brand, but to motorcycling in general. What fits the occasion, the type of riding, the ergonomics, what I can repair myself, and the price is a big consideration. So to answer your question, I am a motorcyclist who rides any and all makes, not married to any particular one "until death do I part", that is only for my wife. Keep on riding buddy.

Originally Posted by r0de_runr

The dealer kept my 2018 flhcs due to excessive oil consumption. I'll update this thread once I know more.