BUying a new (2021) Softtail Slim
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 713
Likes: 235
From: Florida
BUying a new (2021) Softtail Slim
Thinking about buying a new Softtail Slim but have a couple of concerns:
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
What other issues concerning this model should I be aware of?
And lastly What price should I expect to pay? One dealer I stopped at quoted me $2000 over MSRP. F## that.
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
What other issues concerning this model should I be aware of?
And lastly What price should I expect to pay? One dealer I stopped at quoted me $2000 over MSRP. F## that.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I have a 19 Heritage and havent experienced any of the issues you mention. The Softails have a cable clutch and dont have the fluid transfer issue that a few touring bikes have had. My bike doesnt have the latest oil pump (that appeared in June of 19) but has never sumped.
The engine does seem to run hot, but Harley-Davidson did a pretty good job of managing heat to keep it away from the rider. Its no worse than my old Evo and much better in that regard than Twin Cams Ive ridden. The only time I really notice the engine heat is when I park the bike in the garage after a ride.
The only issues Ive had with my Heritage is a constant issue with moisture in the speedometer, a noisy rear belt, and air in the rear brake line, causing loss of the rear brake. Bleeding the brakes seems to have fixed it.
Cruise control is already in the ECM. You need to buy the switch kit and have the function enabled by the dealer.
Otherwise, the bike has been so reliable as to be almost boring. If you want the bike, I say buy it, ride it and dont worry.
The engine does seem to run hot, but Harley-Davidson did a pretty good job of managing heat to keep it away from the rider. Its no worse than my old Evo and much better in that regard than Twin Cams Ive ridden. The only time I really notice the engine heat is when I park the bike in the garage after a ride.
The only issues Ive had with my Heritage is a constant issue with moisture in the speedometer, a noisy rear belt, and air in the rear brake line, causing loss of the rear brake. Bleeding the brakes seems to have fixed it.
Cruise control is already in the ECM. You need to buy the switch kit and have the function enabled by the dealer.
Otherwise, the bike has been so reliable as to be almost boring. If you want the bike, I say buy it, ride it and dont worry.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 15,108
From: Somewhere SW
Thinking about buying a new Softtail Slim but have a couple of concerns:
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
What other issues concerning this model should I be aware of?
And lastly What price should I expect to pay? One dealer I stopped at quoted me $2000 over MSRP. F## that.
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
What other issues concerning this model should I be aware of?
And lastly What price should I expect to pay? One dealer I stopped at quoted me $2000 over MSRP. F## that.
Edit: Sorry, you said softail slim, I was thinking about the 13k base model
Last edited by JustDave13; Apr 25, 2021 at 09:16 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2,380
From: Wisconsin
Thinking about buying a new Softtail Slim but have a couple of concerns:
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
The M-8 engine.
Have they fixed the sumping issue?
What about the oil transfer between transmission and primary?
What about the ABS lockup issue.?
How is the heat issue when sitting at a light in Florida in the summertime?
These issues have been around since the advent of the M-8 so My gut says they have fixed them but would like to here it from the experts here.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 186
Likes: 103
From: Austin, TX
FWIW, I was OTD for $700 less than MSRP on a colored Fat Bob less than 3 weeks ago (6.25% tax here). There's a more recent thread or two around here on negotiating deals (can't remember where I saw it), that I read after buying my bike - it basically boils down to reaching out to dealers to see if they are willing to work with you and a willingness to travel if necessary. From what I've gathered since - I think I did pretty average as far as good deals go and most importantly, I'm happy with the deal.
I didn't do any of that, I was fortunate to walk into a dealership just to check out bikes and they gave me my, "what's it gonna take to not leave here without the bike" price. I also asked for, and received, 10% off on parts and labor, to get the deal done, separately from my deal on the bike.
Good luck on your search
I didn't do any of that, I was fortunate to walk into a dealership just to check out bikes and they gave me my, "what's it gonna take to not leave here without the bike" price. I also asked for, and received, 10% off on parts and labor, to get the deal done, separately from my deal on the bike.
Good luck on your search
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Lets put it this way, ive owned 2 m8 bikes. Never an issue. My friends have m8 bikes and never an issue... imo, the 'issues' were all exagerated..
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