The Everything 2018+ Heritage Thread
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,194
From: Maryland
You make your choices.... You can either sit around and fret about likely non-existent oil pumps problems or you can take advantage of a good deal on a nice used 2018. I know how I chose. I'll be riding that 2018 Heritage I got sitting in my garage this weekend.
You can go over to the Milwaukee Eight (M8) forum and read to your hearts content about sumping and oils pumps. The threads in that forum on this subject were so thick at one time they should have just renamed the forum the Sumping and Transfer forum. I quit reading those threads after a while. Why? Multiple reasons. One reasons is that they all had one thing in common - the issues only impacted touring models. If you can find a post anywhere that suggest that a Softail has experienced either problem - then come back and post a link here. At the very least, the rarity/novelty of it might make it worth a read. I've seen reports by many who've logged a lot of miles on 2018 Softails. I haven't heard any complaints about sumping or transfer issues.
The discount one can get on a nice low mileage 2018 should probably offset any worries about oil pumps. In the highly unlikely future event that we start seeing a rash of reports about sumping/oil pump issues on Softail M8s, then maybe it might be worth taking a closer look at the topic. More likely, you'll never have a problem, and you can take advantage of the savings in whatever way floats your boat.
If you think you got a really good deal on a 2018 but let it get away because you're paralyzed by the specter of (unlikely) oil pump issues, well.... Your loss.
My $0.02.
You can go over to the Milwaukee Eight (M8) forum and read to your hearts content about sumping and oils pumps. The threads in that forum on this subject were so thick at one time they should have just renamed the forum the Sumping and Transfer forum. I quit reading those threads after a while. Why? Multiple reasons. One reasons is that they all had one thing in common - the issues only impacted touring models. If you can find a post anywhere that suggest that a Softail has experienced either problem - then come back and post a link here. At the very least, the rarity/novelty of it might make it worth a read. I've seen reports by many who've logged a lot of miles on 2018 Softails. I haven't heard any complaints about sumping or transfer issues.
The discount one can get on a nice low mileage 2018 should probably offset any worries about oil pumps. In the highly unlikely future event that we start seeing a rash of reports about sumping/oil pump issues on Softail M8s, then maybe it might be worth taking a closer look at the topic. More likely, you'll never have a problem, and you can take advantage of the savings in whatever way floats your boat.
If you think you got a really good deal on a 2018 but let it get away because you're paralyzed by the specter of (unlikely) oil pump issues, well.... Your loss.
My $0.02.
Last edited by T^2; Dec 4, 2019 at 07:24 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 889
From: Nowhere
touring M8 motors are rubber mounted and have ONE counter balancer and are indeed prone to sumping, Softail M8 motors are solid mounted and have TWO counter Balancers and don"t appear to be prone to sumping.
Sumping is the Issue that is is causing all the concern and numerous oil pump revisions.
Sumping is the Issue that is is causing all the concern and numerous oil pump revisions.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 18
From: Washington, PA
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 18
From: Washington, PA
You make your choices.... You can either sit around and fret about likely non-existent oil pumps problems or you can take advantage of a good deal on a nice used 2018. I know how I chose. I'll be riding that 2018 Heritage I got sitting in my garage this weekend.
You can go over to the Milwaukee Eight (M8) forum and read to your hearts content about sumping and oils pumps. The threads in that forum on this subject were so thick at one time they should have just renamed the forum the Sumping and Transfer forum. I quit reading those threads after a while. Why? Multiple reasons. One reasons is that they all had one thing in common - the issues only impacted touring models. If you can find a post anywhere that suggest that a Softail has experienced either problem - then come back and post a link here. At the very least, the rarity/novelty of it might make it worth a read. I've seen reports by many who've logged a lot of miles on 2018 Softails. I haven't heard any complaints about sumping or transfer issues.
The discount one can get on a nice low mileage 2018 should probably offset any worries about oil pumps. In the highly unlikely future event that we start seeing a rash of reports about sumping/oil pump issues on Softail M8s, then maybe it might be worth taking a closer look at the topic. More likely, you'll never have a problem, and you can take advantage of the savings in whatever way floats your boat.
If you think you got a really good deal on a 2018 but let it get away because you're paralyzed by the specter of (unlikely) oil pump issues, well.... Your loss.
My $0.02.
You can go over to the Milwaukee Eight (M8) forum and read to your hearts content about sumping and oils pumps. The threads in that forum on this subject were so thick at one time they should have just renamed the forum the Sumping and Transfer forum. I quit reading those threads after a while. Why? Multiple reasons. One reasons is that they all had one thing in common - the issues only impacted touring models. If you can find a post anywhere that suggest that a Softail has experienced either problem - then come back and post a link here. At the very least, the rarity/novelty of it might make it worth a read. I've seen reports by many who've logged a lot of miles on 2018 Softails. I haven't heard any complaints about sumping or transfer issues.
The discount one can get on a nice low mileage 2018 should probably offset any worries about oil pumps. In the highly unlikely future event that we start seeing a rash of reports about sumping/oil pump issues on Softail M8s, then maybe it might be worth taking a closer look at the topic. More likely, you'll never have a problem, and you can take advantage of the savings in whatever way floats your boat.
If you think you got a really good deal on a 2018 but let it get away because you're paralyzed by the specter of (unlikely) oil pump issues, well.... Your loss.
My $0.02.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2,395
From: Wisconsin
"2017 - 2019 model motorcycles equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight™ engine can experience a condition known as sumping during extended periods at high rpm or under heavy engine load."
"This information applies to all 2017 - 2019 Touring, CVO, Trike, Touring Police and 2018 - 2019 Softail model motorcycles with a Milwaukee-Eight engine."
"Sumping is when an excessive amount of oil is suspended in the engine crankcase and the flywheel must travel through the oil, resulting in loss of power or a high degree of engine braking and potential engine component damage with extended use under these conditions."
Sumping is not something that will be so bad that you notice it in most cases. As the crankcase floods with oil, the pump will pickup more oil and reach an equilibrium state. You can just ride along as is, while churning some amount of excess oil. It's not terrible, there is no H-D recall for the condition.
I'm going to put the new 2020 pump in my bike. It's cheaper than most accessories and may actually do some good. This is just a hobby and I'd rather install the pump than some chrome or black appearance item.
Last edited by Hulkss; Dec 4, 2019 at 12:03 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,117
Likes: 1,194
From: Maryland
As written in the Harley Davidson service bulletin M1450:
"2017 - 2019 model motorcycles equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine can experience a condition known as sumping during extended periods at high rpm or under heavy engine load."
"This information applies to all 2017 - 2019 Touring, CVO, Trike, Touring Police and 2018 - 2019 Softail model motorcycles with a Milwaukee-Eight engine."
"Sumping is when an excessive amount of oil is suspended in the engine crankcase and the flywheel must travel through the oil, resulting in loss of power or a high degree of engine braking and potential engine component damage with extended use under these conditions."
"2017 - 2019 model motorcycles equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine can experience a condition known as sumping during extended periods at high rpm or under heavy engine load."
"This information applies to all 2017 - 2019 Touring, CVO, Trike, Touring Police and 2018 - 2019 Softail model motorcycles with a Milwaukee-Eight engine."
"Sumping is when an excessive amount of oil is suspended in the engine crankcase and the flywheel must travel through the oil, resulting in loss of power or a high degree of engine braking and potential engine component damage with extended use under these conditions."
Sumping is not something that will be so bad that you notice it in most cases. As the crankcase floods with oil, the pump will pickup more oil and reach an equilibrium state. You can just ride along as is, while churning some amount of excess oil. It's not terrible, there is no H-D recall for the condition.
I'm going to put the new 2020 pump in my bike. It's cheaper than most accessories and may actually do some good. This is just a hobby and I'd rather install the pump than some chrome or black appearance item.
I'm going to put the new 2020 pump in my bike. It's cheaper than most accessories and may actually do some good. This is just a hobby and I'd rather install the pump than some chrome or black appearance item.
As to the notion that worries about oil pumps should dissuade a perspective buyer of a used 2018 from making the purchased... Meh... To each their own. I will admit that I waited to buy my used 2018 until I felt enough time had passed since their release to determine if any serious "new model" issues manifested. So far I haven't seen any evidence (actual cases) to suggest they have.
Last edited by T^2; Dec 4, 2019 at 01:12 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 116
From: Dallas,tx
Burbur2 at this point I am not gonna repeat myself again.
here is what I suggest you do, call the 5 closest HD dealers to you and speak to the SERVICE MANAGER not just a service writer, and ask them if they have ever had or heard of a SOFTAIL M8 sumping and whether you should be concerned buying a used softail M8.
I don't think you have anything to worry about buying any of the bikes you asked about.
here is what I suggest you do, call the 5 closest HD dealers to you and speak to the SERVICE MANAGER not just a service writer, and ask them if they have ever had or heard of a SOFTAIL M8 sumping and whether you should be concerned buying a used softail M8.
I don't think you have anything to worry about buying any of the bikes you asked about.
Last edited by Hardcase61; Dec 4, 2019 at 01:10 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 152
Likes: 42
From: San Jose, California, USA
This is the 4th model year of the M8 and 3rd model year in the Softails. This clearly isn't a wide spread issue. Unlike BMW's bad 6-cyl fuel pumps where just about EVERYONE's failed and left them stranded.