For the past 2 years I have been lurking around HD dealerships test riding the new M8 softails. I rode all of them. I liked them well enough, but none really made me go wow. Great frame and engine, but something just not there. Then I see this 2016 deluxe and the look just captivated me. After many months it was still on the floor and so I test rode it after riding all the M8's. I was surprised at how well the HO103B scoots this thing along - plenty of power. Brakes are fantastic, suspension is just fine (200lbs), handling is fine, sound and feel pure harley davidson. I was even more surprised how much better I like it compared to the newer bikes. I have a sportster and a VROD muscle, both great and fun in their own right, but the softail is something that just oozes harley davidson, and the TC engine so far has me wanting to just keep twisting the throttle

 

I have both a '14 tc and an '18 m8. I can see what ya mean. The m8 is modern and powerful, but I like the TC FLHR just fine! The 103 pulls it very nicely, sounds great. FWIW, I bought the new 18 first!

 

I have a '16 Heritage that I just love. The new frames and suspensions have me interested in the M8's but not nearly enough to trade. And I still love my chrome so........

 

I bought a ‘17 Slim in late 2016, and I love that bike. A year later I bought an ‘18 Deluxe, and owned the two bikes for two riding seasons.

The Deluxe was a beautiful bike, but it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t a big fan of the M8 engine: it didn’t sound right, it didn’t feel right, and to get it to perform Nd sound the way I really wanted to, I would have had to spend a fortune. I just never fell in love with it in the way I did my Slim. I sold the Deluxe last fall, and haven’t regretted it.

Sadly, aside from the Sportster Forty-Eight, there isn’t a bike Harley currently makes that I am interested in. Their “Custom” bike - the one that’s rumored to be replacing the Sportster, or at least, it will be the new Sportster line - is supposed to be out later this year. If that bike really turns out to be as good as I think it will be, I’d totally be interested in it.

 

I'm with the OP on this. I have a '14 TC Heritage Classic. No desire for an M8.

 

I've got all three generations. The EVO, Twin Cam and the M8 Heritage. I love them all for what they are and their differences. Currently the saddlebags are back on the EVO.

 

I've owned 3 TCs and currently ride a M8. I'm all in on the M8. Runs great, significant power increase over the TCs, and most importantly, the M8 runs cooler than the TC. That sells it for me. I'm all about function, very little about form.

 

Great to see varying opinions. I will admit that for me the TC Softail is more form over function. When I want to rip it on a cruiser, I hop on my Scout or VROD (it's sort of a cruiser). When I want a plush ride, it is Roadmaster. Something completely retro, Janus Halcyon. For just straight-up cool cruising around town, the Iron 1200....and now around town + highway, the TC Softail deluxe. I believe in choices!

 

I have a 17' Slim S with the 110 Screaming Eagle and I like it a lot. I was planning on going with the new frame softail and did a test ride. I found the new suspension to be MUCH improved but the M8 made it a much different experience. Very smooth and comfortable. I went with the used 17' and old suspension because for me it was more of the "feel" and sound I was looking for. I don't know how to explain it but it seems more "raw" and old school, less refined for sure but I am glad I went this route.

 

Road my little brothers m8 once. Real nice bike. But I want my Twinkie