Demo Ride
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
Likes: 8,295
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Demo Ride
My dealer was hosting the National Hog Rally (Canadian) and had demo rides yesterday. Tried an Ulltra Classic Limited. Nice bike, didn't really notice anything monumentally special about the M8, not like the first time I rode a Rushmore. Salesman was pushing pretty hard. Financing through HDF was 3.49% but all Softails were 0.99%. He kinda hinted that he would be able to throw in extras. First time I've heard that, ever.
I tried a Heritage, never ridden a Softail before. The ride was sweet and I actually liked the counterbalanced engine. It was weird at first not seeing the handlebars jump around at idle.
When I was done, I jumped back on my 07 FLHT. It may not be as refined as the new bikes but it felt comfortable and familiar. I think I'll keep it for a while.
I tried a Heritage, never ridden a Softail before. The ride was sweet and I actually liked the counterbalanced engine. It was weird at first not seeing the handlebars jump around at idle.
When I was done, I jumped back on my 07 FLHT. It may not be as refined as the new bikes but it felt comfortable and familiar. I think I'll keep it for a while.
Last edited by roussfam; Jul 30, 2017 at 08:08 AM.
I demo'd the 17 Ultra Limited last August when they first hit the dealers.
They are nice bikes but not enough difference to make me go out and buy one.
One thing that I noticed, I have been riding Goldwings since 1989 and when I rode the 17 with the M8, I did notice a couple of times that I got this eerie feeling that it was as smooth as a Goldwing. It really was odd because I've always expected Harley's to shake and not be as smooth. Granted, some people will like that, but I will keep my 14 Limited.
One thing I did like is when you put it in gear, it doesn't clunk as much as mine does. The shifting does seem better.
I've just come to love the shaking and the rumble of the bike. It makes me feel something different than when I am on my Goldwing.
They are nice bikes but not enough difference to make me go out and buy one.
One thing that I noticed, I have been riding Goldwings since 1989 and when I rode the 17 with the M8, I did notice a couple of times that I got this eerie feeling that it was as smooth as a Goldwing. It really was odd because I've always expected Harley's to shake and not be as smooth. Granted, some people will like that, but I will keep my 14 Limited.
One thing I did like is when you put it in gear, it doesn't clunk as much as mine does. The shifting does seem better.
I've just come to love the shaking and the rumble of the bike. It makes me feel something different than when I am on my Goldwing.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
My dealer was hosting the National Hog Rally (Canadian) and had demo rides yesterday. Tried an Ulltra Classic Limited. Nice bike, didn't really notice anything monumentally special about the M8, not like the first time I rode a Rushmore. Salesman was pushing pretty hard. Financing through HDF was 3.49% but all Softails were 0.99%. He kinda hinted that he would be able to throw in extras. First time I've heard that, ever.
I tried a Heritage, never ridden a Softail before. The ride was sweet and I actually liked the counterbalanced engine. It was weird at first not seeing the handlebars jump around at idle.
When I was done, I jumped back on my 07 FLHT. It may not be as refined as the new bikes but it felt comfortable and familiar. I think I'll keep it for a while.
I tried a Heritage, never ridden a Softail before. The ride was sweet and I actually liked the counterbalanced engine. It was weird at first not seeing the handlebars jump around at idle.
When I was done, I jumped back on my 07 FLHT. It may not be as refined as the new bikes but it felt comfortable and familiar. I think I'll keep it for a while.
With the mods on your bike, why would you feel anything different, the fact that YOU felt no difference means the new M8 has everything that your modified bike has but at a starting point.......as I see it.
Coming from a 96 engine....the M8 is tons better than what i had.....
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,689
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
The hydraulic clutch took a little getting used to....it had no "feel" to it. I guess feedback would be a better word.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
I demo'd a Road King while getting some brake line issues fixed on my 13 Ultra Classic.
I think the handling definitely is much improved. More sportier feel all-around. The front end seems more planted and solid without the squishy/spongy feel when braking. I definitely felt more torque in the engine as well. The ride was more sportier in general.
I actually didn't want to demo it as I thought I might like it so much based on the reviews of the new bikes that I might start thinking about it. But it didn't totally blow me away. It was nice though. If you were buying a new touring bike after not owning one would it be worth it to get the M8 instead of the 103? Absolutely. But already owning a 103 is it worth the expense? For me--no. For some it would be. Improvements in ride and handling were definitely noteciebale to me but not in the earth-shaking "i have to have this bike" category.
The only thing I did not like at first was the Hydraulic clutch. Almost stalled the bike when dropping into gear and heading out. Very heavy pull and the friction zone on the bike I rode was extremely narrow and started right near the end of release. I didn't care for the feel but by the end of the ride muscle memory took over. Like anything new it will probably take an adjustment if you're used to the cable clutch.
I think the handling definitely is much improved. More sportier feel all-around. The front end seems more planted and solid without the squishy/spongy feel when braking. I definitely felt more torque in the engine as well. The ride was more sportier in general.
I actually didn't want to demo it as I thought I might like it so much based on the reviews of the new bikes that I might start thinking about it. But it didn't totally blow me away. It was nice though. If you were buying a new touring bike after not owning one would it be worth it to get the M8 instead of the 103? Absolutely. But already owning a 103 is it worth the expense? For me--no. For some it would be. Improvements in ride and handling were definitely noteciebale to me but not in the earth-shaking "i have to have this bike" category.
The only thing I did not like at first was the Hydraulic clutch. Almost stalled the bike when dropping into gear and heading out. Very heavy pull and the friction zone on the bike I rode was extremely narrow and started right near the end of release. I didn't care for the feel but by the end of the ride muscle memory took over. Like anything new it will probably take an adjustment if you're used to the cable clutch.
My 14 Limited has a hydraulic clutch and I never had any problems with it. I had the recalls done when they came out. It seems to work fine, no killing the engine or anything like that.
Maybe it is because I have been riding Goldwings with hydraulic clutches since the first Goldwing I bought which was a 1984 model I bought in 1989!
Maybe it is because I have been riding Goldwings with hydraulic clutches since the first Goldwing I bought which was a 1984 model I bought in 1989!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Central Texas
Roussfam I appreciate that information and I really liked what you said at the last, "When I was done, I jumped back on my 07 FLHT. It may not be as refined as the new bikes but it felt comfortable and familiar. I think I'll keep it for a while." This is pretty much how I feel about My 07 hot rod Harley.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
I demo'd a Road King while getting some brake line issues fixed on my 13 Ultra Classic.
I think the handling definitely is much improved. More sportier feel all-around. The front end seems more planted and solid without the squishy/spongy feel when braking. I definitely felt more torque in the engine as well. The ride was more sportier in general.
I actually didn't want to demo it as I thought I might like it so much based on the reviews of the new bikes that I might start thinking about it. But it didn't totally blow me away. It was nice though. If you were buying a new touring bike after not owning one would it be worth it to get the M8 instead of the 103? Absolutely. But already owning a 103 is it worth the expense? For me--no. For some it would be. Improvements in ride and handling were definitely noteciebale to me but not in the earth-shaking "i have to have this bike" category.
The only thing I did not like at first was the Hydraulic clutch. Almost stalled the bike when dropping into gear and heading out. Very heavy pull and the friction zone on the bike I rode was extremely narrow and started right near the end of release. I didn't care for the feel but by the end of the ride muscle memory took over. Like anything new it will probably take an adjustment if you're used to the cable clutch.
I think the handling definitely is much improved. More sportier feel all-around. The front end seems more planted and solid without the squishy/spongy feel when braking. I definitely felt more torque in the engine as well. The ride was more sportier in general.
I actually didn't want to demo it as I thought I might like it so much based on the reviews of the new bikes that I might start thinking about it. But it didn't totally blow me away. It was nice though. If you were buying a new touring bike after not owning one would it be worth it to get the M8 instead of the 103? Absolutely. But already owning a 103 is it worth the expense? For me--no. For some it would be. Improvements in ride and handling were definitely noteciebale to me but not in the earth-shaking "i have to have this bike" category.
The only thing I did not like at first was the Hydraulic clutch. Almost stalled the bike when dropping into gear and heading out. Very heavy pull and the friction zone on the bike I rode was extremely narrow and started right near the end of release. I didn't care for the feel but by the end of the ride muscle memory took over. Like anything new it will probably take an adjustment if you're used to the cable clutch.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,763
Likes: 22,964
From: North Carolina
I have ridden three now. A CVO Limited, Road Glide (no tour pack) and a Road King Special.
Crazy as it sounds the CVO was the least impressive. I really thought the lighter RK benefited a lot from the added HP.
Nothing wrong with them at all and the M8 does make more power. But they are just different in a way I am not liking at this time.
Crazy as it sounds the CVO was the least impressive. I really thought the lighter RK benefited a lot from the added HP.
Nothing wrong with them at all and the M8 does make more power. But they are just different in a way I am not liking at this time.