M8 Smell?
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 12
From: Alabama
M8 Smell?
My 2024 Heritage Classic has a smell that lingers forever after a ride. It's absolutely putrid. A search on this forum brought me to discussions of gas cap leaking and venting fuel, trans oil venting, emissions control disorder, bad stator -- all guesses from back in 2014.
I went to the dealer for my 1k service and asked. The tech behind the desk told me it was a naturally occuring byproduct of the style of air filter I have (stock 114). The old style had a cover that kept the odors in, but this style, which he says is better, lets the odors out. Does this ring true? No one ever mentioned the added benefit of having to leave my bike outside the garage for 2 hours to clear the air filter after a ride. Any thoughts or experiences with this?
I went to the dealer for my 1k service and asked. The tech behind the desk told me it was a naturally occuring byproduct of the style of air filter I have (stock 114). The old style had a cover that kept the odors in, but this style, which he says is better, lets the odors out. Does this ring true? No one ever mentioned the added benefit of having to leave my bike outside the garage for 2 hours to clear the air filter after a ride. Any thoughts or experiences with this?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 307
Likes: 506
From: Saskatchewan Canada
My 24 Heritage doesn't smell any different than any other bike I've owned. And it's my 2nd M8. I think the fellow that told you that is full of crap. Unless there is something in the filter element that should not be there, the air filter will not cause any kind of unpleasant odor.
I would have a good look in all the nooks and cranies of your bike to see if maybe you have a dead mouse or nest somewhere. The heat after a ride would cause them to stink more than when they are cold.
I would have a good look in all the nooks and cranies of your bike to see if maybe you have a dead mouse or nest somewhere. The heat after a ride would cause them to stink more than when they are cold.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 373
Likes: 287
From: Canada
It's simple, look under your air cleaner at the 6 o'clock position engine side, hidden.....one of your buddies wedged some aluminum foil behind there and it's touching your heads to heat up, inside you'll find................... Vieux Boulogne.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Mine has no stink, and I would not consider a putrid odor normal.
Use your nose and start working the bike over. Of course sniff the gas and the oils to rule them out.
FWIW, I once found an odd stench around me was because my leather belt wasn't properly cured, so part of it was actually rotting. Your bike has leather on it, I'd sniff that extra carefully.
Use your nose and start working the bike over. Of course sniff the gas and the oils to rule them out.
FWIW, I once found an odd stench around me was because my leather belt wasn't properly cured, so part of it was actually rotting. Your bike has leather on it, I'd sniff that extra carefully.
