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M8 Owners thread

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  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    7 years ago
    G'day fellow owners of the new M8 powered tourers. I thought I would start a thread just for these motors.

    I have only had mine for 2 weeks now, and am finding it hard to like the mother.

    These motors are way to smooth and after riding my 110 Softail around, this Roadking feels like a sewing machine.

    I hope a few thousand Km's will change my opinion, but if not, this one will not last long in my shed.

    What are other owners experiencing?
  • steelo
    steelo
    7 years ago
    That's just progress for you LB. Take padding out of the seat to make it more punishing.
  • -kiwi-
    -kiwi-
    7 years ago
    So your saying......it doesn't feel like a Harley......to us old school riders?
  • Geoff3DMN
    Geoff3DMN
    7 years ago
    I've only done 1500kms on my M8 Street Glide so take that into account when you read my comments.
    At first I found myself thinking... this doesn't really feel like a Harley motor, it's TOO smooth (the first few hundred kms).

    Then I started to notice things about the motor that 'feel harley',  the gearbox is still a harley box, it's just a little less prone to clunking as hard and the look of the bike is still 100% harley tourer, looking forward and looking down... it's pure Harley.

    And the motor, after a while I stopped noticing that it was 'smoother' and started to feel the (lesser) vibes... I started to be able to tell the engine revs by feel again.

    Yeah it doesn't smack you in the face like the earlier models but it's still there, it's just more subtle, it took me a while to adjust I think.

    And then I thought back to my dyna and how the vibrations would make my hands (which have arthritis) tingle and go numb and how that restricted my riding and I started thinking the trade off is worth it, for me at least where I wanted a bike I could travel 800 or 1000kms in a day and get off and be ok (ish).

    Do I think the motor is too smooth?  No... Not now, not after a a few weeks.  The motor started to feel nicer too as it was run in.

    On balance I think it's a good motor for a tourer, for an Electro Glide Ultra Classic or a Street Glide, and I reckon for a Road King that is used for long distance touring.

    I don't think it'd work as well in a short distance bike like a Softail (touring softail like the Heritage Classic excepted) and I think it'd be a mistake in the Dyna range.

    But yeah it's definitely a very different motor, I reckon give yourself some time to see if you adjust before you start welding engine mounts.


  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    7 years ago
    Thanks mate, been riding Harley's for a long long time, and this is a big adjustment 
  • Sunny Jim
    Sunny Jim
    7 years ago
    I have one- roadglide I can't really fault it. It does everything right and a pleasure to ride on long run. I am struggling to fall in love with it though.  Twincams are great!  but I will persevere with this baby. I have changed the bars and am about to order a cam from Tman Performance. 
  • steelo
    steelo
    7 years ago
    Keep going fellas. Don't give up. 

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  • JR888
    JR888
    7 years ago
    Like you LB I have only had mine a short time, bit of a story but I picked it up while at the QLD state rally.
    Anyway my new ride is the Road King but it must be so different to yours as I could not be happier with it. I bought the demo off the showroom floor, they were reluctant to sell it as it hadn't been a demo for very long, and it came with Stage 1 breather and tuner, Stage 2 cams, Vance & Hines headers and the Screaming Eagle street cannons - great package.
    I had intended buying a Heritage but when I took this for a test ride I just had to have it then and there.
    All I can say is What A Beast, plenty of grunt, good sound and much more comfortable than my old 1200 custom. Just waiting on the top box to turn up and then I'll post some pics. 
  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    7 years ago
    I did a 600 Km ride on her yesterday, and I think I get it now. With that smoothness comes the comfort of a semi big day in the saddle. This bike is more than capable of plus 1,000 Km days.  I will get some power dual headers and V&H 4.5" HPO's, and that should add a bit of thump.

    These Screaming Budgie mufflers are crap.
  • Winger
    Winger
    7 years ago
    Be interested to hear what you think of the V&H setup, Lofty. Not keen on the SE's myself, but want to wait 'till warranty finishes before pissing off cats etc. I reckon you've hit the nail on the head. The smoothness of the new motor allows me to have a much longer day riding comfortably. The 700k days we did on the Snowy Run proved that. They ARE certainly different to the twin cams,that you're used to, but they grow on you! IF you hang on to it for a while!!!??
  • groover
    groover
    7 years ago
    I must say I'm getting to love this motor.
    After riding Harleys for over 25 years It did feel eerrr foreign to me. But now I'm getting use to it. Still not as smooth as a Softail B motor.
    Must be the torque throughout the rev range that's winning me.
  • mickle
    mickle
    6 years ago
    Keep your eye on the oil pump/pressure if you have the water cooled engine.
  • TJU
    TJU
    6 years ago
    Gidday all ... just wanted to ask a couple of questions as i am a current 99 Evo Springer owner as well as a 08 Softail Custom owner but am seariously taken by the Olive Green Blacked out Road King Special .

    Haven`t ridden one yet , haven`t even seen one in the Flesh yet but i haven`t found a single review yet that runs them down until checking in here ... have i missed something ... i think i understand that what you are saying is that they are to refined , not sure thats a bad thing but each to their own i surpose ... what about the reported power and handling upgrades ... are they what the magazine reviewers around the world are saying to be correct or have all the Journilist everywhere been blowing things out of proportion just a tad .

    As mentioned above am keen to buy one depending on test ride of course but would entail selling one of my other pride and joys which i am not keen on doing if the power and handling upgrades are not what they are made out to be .

    Will be keen to hear from M8 owners and will follow this thread to see if time will change peoples minds ... i remember all the hoop la when Evo`s came in , how it was the end of real Harley`s as far as the Old timers were concerned but as we know now if it wasn`t for Evo`s we quite possiblly wouldn`t still have Harley`s at all .

    Anyhow keen to hear back from folk , cheers .

    Tim .    
  • LOFTYBOB
    LOFTYBOB
    6 years ago
    The more Km's I put on mine (1,000 now) the more I get it. It's a big leap from the twin cams, just like the EVO was from the Shovel's. But it is slowly winning me over.
    Still glad I have the Slim S in the Shed so I can have a bit of raw 110 cube thump when the mood hits.
    I will go down the cam and full headers route after I have seen some more info on successful mods on these new motors.
    I have heard the 2018 M*'s will have a completely new oil pump in them, so I guess that is an admission of failure on the part of the MOCO
  • TJU
    TJU
    6 years ago
    Thanks guys for the replys ... definitly agree about what feels right to each individual .

    Interesting about the oil pump possible issues ... will keep checking in to see how searious an issue it ends up being and if any others raise their heads .

    Always a good idea to wait and see the second years offerings after any new models are released ... but i can imangine for those who have the First ones it must be a Buzz .

    Happy and safe riding all .

    Tim .
  • DocGreen
    DocGreen
    6 years ago
    Hey fellas, been a little while since I've been on the forum - I've been too busy riding my beautiful new Velocity Red M8 Street Glide :)
    Loving this bike, it is a huge step up from my 94 Fatboy (which I loved dearly) but the difference when riding, especially 2 up is phenomenal.
    I've got almost 3000km's on her now and it feels better all the time. The missus and me did a near 900km 2 day ride after getting it, and the difference in torque and handling was addictive - I know it's over 20 yrs gap in technology, but also about 60kgs heavier, loving it. The brakes are sensational (the fatty's were 4 potters front and back).
    I have kept it standard at this stage (apart from detachable tourpak and backrest which the wife LOVES), was not impressed with the Street Cannon slip ons at all so will wait until I can hear a few different makers offerings 1st hand - video files don't do most exhausts justice IMHO. Air filter wise, actually don't mind the stock and from what I've read on the US HDforum, there isn't a big gain to be had changing it out so will most likely leave it, probably, maybe :)
    Cam wise, the step up in power and torque in the M8 from my Fatty (which went pretty good according to the butt dyno) means I will leave it alone until warranty has run it's course.
    The only 2 changes I am considering are getting a higher screen - something like the 7" windsplitter for longer runs as there is a bit of buffeting, but not too bad, and if I can get it past the minister of war and finance, changing the bars. Don't find the standard bars too comfortable on longer runs, I fitted Wild1 12 1/2 apes on the Fatty, and the comfort difference was amazing. Still looking at options, Wild1 bars were great quality (purchased thru Rollies) but not sure if the Yaffe bars suit the bike better or not.

    Overall, loving the bike - brakes, suspension,  motor, everything. Took me over 2 years of grovelling to get it, the missus loves being on the back when we get the chance (she actually dozed off momentarily once) and to be fair I have stepped up from an evo and have only ridden 2 twin cams (both mates bikes) but the torque and handling are confidence inspiring. Still getting used to the heavier front end at low speeds, otherwise riding with a shit eating grin most times :)

    cheers

    DocGreen
  • steelo
    steelo
    6 years ago
    Thanks for the update Doc. Sounds like you are enjoying your new ride. 
    What's a windsplitter screen on an SG? Do you have that vent on the fairing under the screen? My standard screen is terrific as long as the vent is open. There's almost no turbulence. Good luck with the bike
    (edit: Now I know what one looks like)
  • Geoff3DMN
    Geoff3DMN
    6 years ago
    I've got a windsplitter screen on mine, it's got turned in edges which is supposed to reduce buffetting.
    It's definitely a lot better than the stock screen (which I found unusable, at my height the wind buffeting was so bad I couldn't see at 120kph).

    But for me I reckon it's still a bit short for touring, so I've ordered a longer version (they swap easily enough).
  • awaba
    awaba
    6 years ago
    I have 8,000k on my m8 now,I couldn't be happier with it...
    It's great for long haul days on the road,set your speed and hit the cruise control,great for resting your hands..
    It's just as capable for a 200/300/400 local ride day,plenty off oomph when you want it and it handling is nimble...love the handling of it,the pickup,and braking.


    I'm not that happy with the note of the street cannons myself...I'm going to give them a good year and see if they get a bit more bass/baritone to them as the wrap around the baffle burns in (they seem just a little to be achieving that already on the open road)

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