Be thankful you haven't experienced sumping. My second engine was literally just a few miles away from a complete and catastrophic failure based on the stiffness of the crank/rods and the completely burned lifters. All that in less than 500 miles.

The fact that there have been no transmission failures is of some solace. By now there are millions, if not 10's of millions of miles, on M8 transmissions. If there were significant failures due to low fluids, there would be substantial reports by now. So while the trans fluid levels may be disconcerting, they are clearly NOT having a functional impact on the bike's performance. So I say enjoy the ride and stop worrying about the trans fluid. Have it checked according to the manual and whenever the bike is serviced but otherwise enjoy the bike.

 

Yup, sorry. I was completely wrong. I was thinking of another member here.

I just rode 6200 HARD miles which was a three week trip, and I only had to add 16 ounces to the trans.
It's not a problem you nor anyone couldn't handle in a few minutes. Still a great bike otherwise.
Harley will eventually get it fixed. Just have to be patient... and it would probably help to remain calm.

This is a common myth. As I posted awhile back, HD makes way more on motorcycles than on merchandising. Example: http://www.harley-davidson.com/conte...source=company

Just in the second quarter HD reported $1,2 Billion revenue in bikes and "only" $237 Million in Parts/accessories, and $63 Million in General merchandising. Also, 188 Million in Financial services.

BTW, no Hurricane to worry about this year - yet.

 

My experience is that the level in trans doesn't go below a certain point. Not low enough to lock up the trans, but low enough to hear the trans starting to whine all of a sudden. And that is certainly not increasing the lifetime of the gears.

 

6 oz in 6000 miles is much better than I am getting.

Being patient isn't my strongest quality. But I'm working on it. My biggest fear with this issue is HD's lack of acknowledgement. In the first few weeks of availability the oil pump and cylinder porosity problems seemed to be dealt with quickly and professionally. With this trans issue too many (most) customers are reporting blank stares and/or disbelief on the part of HD and dealers. This concerns me....

 

Yup....... stopped by the dealer today to hear them tell me the spacer is on backorder...... not sure of the date of arrival.

 

Backorder.... that doesnt sound good. I wonder if they have been using a lot of them.

 

Concerns me too. It's usually hard to get a Service department on board with something you already know about (having read about it here for example), but usually achievable with some effort.
In this case... deer in the headlights. I had one tech actually laugh at me and say, "that is impossible". With no TSB to refer to they have to call HD to confirm and sometimes that's a chore in itself.

 

No it doesn't........!!!!

 

wonder how long this thread will go on regurgitating the same statements of concerns, observations, etc..this has become nucking futs until new information becomes available..just sayin'

 

How long until HD trademarks the word "transfer" or "sumping"?