Twin cam or M8, help for a mate
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5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Twin cam or M8, help for a mate
Hi All
Hoping you can help a mate with your thoughts on would you buy a fat boy S or wait till the fat boys come with the M8 ? As he is in two minds buy now or wait ? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Hoping you can help a mate with your thoughts on would you buy a fat boy S or wait till the fat boys come with the M8 ? As he is in two minds buy now or wait ? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
Three weeks ago I bought a 2017 Road King with the M8, and it makes the older bikes feel like antiques. The new motor is way more torquey, powerful, and smooth. And quiet.
I can't imagine where the clatter originated in the rental bike. Maybe someone beat it, or maybe something was broken.
Me, I'd wait for the M8 to appear in the Fat Boy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
The M8 is the way to go. However, if you get a screaming deal on a '17, it may be hard to pass up. Add a Stage I, slip-on's, and tuner, the bike will run stronger and cooler and last forever with proper maintenance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,028
From: Carlsbad, CA
I agree with cookie. I've rented an M8 RoadKing and put on several 100 miles. Smooth delivery of power, and much quieter motor than my103 TC.
Something definitely wrong if you had a clatter.
Something definitely wrong if you had a clatter.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
I've heard others complain about the noise the M8 makes too after putting some miles on. Now, this rental was on the island of Oahu. Anybody that's been there know that the traffic situation is horrible. One sits in traffic a LOT, as the traffic is heavy 24 hours a day. In one section, I recall thinking, "Man, I'm glad this isn't my bike. I'd definitely have a liquid cooled bike if I lived in a place like this." I have to think that this particular bike has been really really hot on more than a few occasions.
I was actually concerned before renting the bike, that after riding this new one, the urge to buy a new M8 bike would be overwhelming, and I'd just HAVE to sell my Deluxe, and run down and buy a new M8 bike. Thankfully, the rental cured me of that. My bank account is secure!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 178
Likes: 79
From: El Paso
Our 17 Limited is smooth, and quiet with tons of torque. The only noises I have heard other than the purr of the engine are the fans and the breather sucking in air when riding in town at low speed.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,848
Likes: 17,894
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Wait for the M8 then test ride both. There are and will still be plenty of twin cams on the market in the form of previous year leftovers or slightly used. Even if he decided to get the twin cam, the prices on them will be much lower once the M8 is in the Softail.
My experience was the opposite. I was like "Is this thing on?"
Maybe so. I have to say I was shocked when the guy at the rental place fired the thing up. I thought my TC was noisy! I'll not complain about THAT again.
I've heard others complain about the noise the M8 makes too after putting some miles on. Now, this rental was on the island of Oahu. Anybody that's been there know that the traffic situation is horrible. One sits in traffic a LOT, as the traffic is heavy 24 hours a day. In one section, I recall thinking, "Man, I'm glad this isn't my bike. I'd definitely have a liquid cooled bike if I lived in a place like this." I have to think that this particular bike has been really really hot on more than a few occasions.
I was actually concerned before renting the bike, that after riding this new one, the urge to buy a new M8 bike would be overwhelming, and I'd just HAVE to sell my Deluxe, and run down and buy a new M8 bike. Thankfully, the rental cured me of that. My bank account is secure!
I've heard others complain about the noise the M8 makes too after putting some miles on. Now, this rental was on the island of Oahu. Anybody that's been there know that the traffic situation is horrible. One sits in traffic a LOT, as the traffic is heavy 24 hours a day. In one section, I recall thinking, "Man, I'm glad this isn't my bike. I'd definitely have a liquid cooled bike if I lived in a place like this." I have to think that this particular bike has been really really hot on more than a few occasions.
I was actually concerned before renting the bike, that after riding this new one, the urge to buy a new M8 bike would be overwhelming, and I'd just HAVE to sell my Deluxe, and run down and buy a new M8 bike. Thankfully, the rental cured me of that. My bank account is secure!
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Jun 29, 2017 at 07:50 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,028
From: Carlsbad, CA
And IMHO...it's not Goldwing smooth. Still has enough shake to let you know it's a Harley. Again...I think something was wrong with the Op's rental. I rented the M8 Roadking when it only had 75 miles on it, and I put on a couple 100. And recently now it has 4,500 miles on it...and it's just as quiet.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,792
Likes: 1,186
This is interesting. I'd heard the new M8's ran rather quiet. But at a recent gathering, one of our members showed up on a rental M8 Electra Glide. He'd ridden 600 miles to attend our function. That bike was anything but quiet; not especially noisy, but I'd never call it quiet.