Can a M8 sound like a twin cam

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Mar 12, 2025 | 01:22 AM

#11

scott7d

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 805

Likes: 1,510

From: Bloomington, IN

You can absolutely get a nice lope with the M8's with a cam swap.

Off-topic but is there something about 31,000 miles that makes you feel uneasy?

Mar 12, 2025 | 05:03 AM

#12

jake24lt

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 2,662

Likes: 2,065

From: Massachusetts

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty901

No. Twin cam has two cams. M8 has one. That was what gave bikes like the EVO a sound most liked. The CAM you choose makes a difference in how your bike sounds.

But the amount of cams makes no difference. As in the evo and the shovelhead both have single cams. Sportsters had 4 cams. It was the head/valve and crankshaft stroke configuration that changed the sound.

Last edited by jake24lt; Mar 12, 2025 at 05:06 AM.

Mar 14, 2025 | 03:19 PM

#13

kojak

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 5,564

Likes: 3,979

From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holedigger

My 2006 SG has SE 204 cans with Rinehart 4" slipons. The 06 is getting old with 31K miles. I looked at a 2021 SGS but the M8 sounded like a quiet sewing machine. Buddy told me nothing I can do except make it sound like a loud sewing machine. If this is the case. I will be looking for a 2016 SGS since that is the last year for the twin cams

Holedigger

They can sound better but different. If you like the potato potato cadence, stick to TC or earlier. M8's with the right cam and exhaust sound awesome.

Mar 23, 2025 | 12:03 PM

#14

Mongo1958

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 2,761

Likes: 1,801

From: Newnan, GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose_NC

"Old" at 31k miles? Barely broken in. EVOs sound better than the twinkies do.
You can put in a cam and mufflers on a M8 for a good VTwin sound. But it it still 4 valve heads. It will never sound like an EVO, shovel or panhead.

I'm no expert, but from what I have read, going back in time the earlier generations sound better than the current generation.
Shovel Head, Evo, Twin Cam, M8.

Mar 28, 2025 | 07:48 AM

#15

FLSTF

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 667

Likes: 59

From: Lufkin, Tx.

Here's a quick example of what an M8 can sound like with a cam. Plenty more examples out there

Apr 23, 2025 | 11:19 PM

#16

Barry C

Stage I

Joined: Apr 2025

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Edmonton

Personal preference

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLSTF

Here's a quick example of what an M8 can sound like with a cam. Plenty more examples out there
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jXupovc0nHU

I recently got my 2023 road king special back from the shop after getting a whole bunch of stuff done to it over winter. Completed stage 1 (HD heavy breather and VH big radius pipes), and 2 (woods 22xe with adjustable push rods, tappets, and cam chain slack adjuster). It also got new bars and an Advanblack low rider St fairing with a custom dynamics adaptive 2 headlight. Still waiting to be fully dyno tune as it hasn't warmed up enough for the hydraulic fluid. Granted some of this info is a bit useless; find the exhaust sound you like, upgrading a cam that compliments how you ride crucial. The by product of the upgraded cam is it also deepens the sound your bike already created as well as giving it a nice chop. I certainly love the sound it gave my bike. I'll try to attach a video of mine. I apologize for the sound quality but trust me the recording doesn't do it justice.

Attached Files

VID-20250412-WA0001.mp4 (5.13 MB, 20 views)

Apr 24, 2025 | 07:09 AM

#17

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,682

Likes: 9,163

From: Snow Hill, NC

Short answer is No. 31000 is very low miles so you can probably get cams for that bike that will liven it up. With that said, you bike is still getting older so do you “want “ a newer bike. The 114” M8 is a very nice powertrain.