M8 problems
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 230
From: United States
The sporty ,
The Raptors just Freaking Awesome, And nothing fell off it first time I rode it for 4 hours.
Unlike the sporty which had the seat locating bolt on the frame fall off on the first ride home from the dealer.
Wiz 🤘
The Raptors just Freaking Awesome, And nothing fell off it first time I rode it for 4 hours.
Unlike the sporty which had the seat locating bolt on the frame fall off on the first ride home from the dealer.
Wiz 🤘
Last edited by Wizardofaus; Jan 26, 2020 at 10:24 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,674
Likes: 11,461
From: State of Confusion
Hey I dont see the problem with letting them know they suck, and Im sure this aint the first time either.
Telling the corporate sector of mothership HD your having a bad experience at the dealership, Well best of luck to ya, Everytime Ive contacted them and made a case file, nothing happens of it, They just stick you in a loop and wait till you get tired and fix it ya self.
I still regret the day I brought mine, and cant wait till its payed off to unload it on some other poor cool aid drinking bastard.
Wiz 🍻
Telling the corporate sector of mothership HD your having a bad experience at the dealership, Well best of luck to ya, Everytime Ive contacted them and made a case file, nothing happens of it, They just stick you in a loop and wait till you get tired and fix it ya self.
I still regret the day I brought mine, and cant wait till its payed off to unload it on some other poor cool aid drinking bastard.
Wiz 🍻
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 861
Likes: 136
From: Wisconsin
To you and Tampa Fatboy. You are correct, I've gotten a hold of corporate several times about problems, the first couple of times they didn't care, and the last time they didn't bother getting back to me. I usually buy a new bike every 3 years, so when my dealership called and left a message if I was interested in a new bike, I didn't bother to get back to them !
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 230
From: United States
Parts falling off , oil leaks, cross threaded oil pump fittings ,and the lacks a daisy attitude the dealership and service department has when you tell them this aint right on a so called premium motorcycle.
The reason I got one was because theres dealerships everywhere so all you need is a good credit card and a charged cell phone and you can pretty much get your self out of trouble.
My bikes almost 3 years old in March and has about 5300 miles on it so Im not beating on it.
I Just wished I had a better first time experience from new.
Wiz 🍻
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 230
From: United States
My M8 problems have all been HD service related, terrible workmanship. It's like none of them take a professsional attitude.
Ticks me off, third time has to go in for a clutch cable within 2 months, 1st time around they had the cable adjustment down at the bottom of the frame and most of the gear oil leaked out. The replacement cable is short now and binds on a right turn, dont dare go hands free to see if it tracks straight because of the stress. Back to the shop.
The wiring adddition for the apes looks like spaghetti under the nacelle and obvious as hell whoever looks at it.
One more complaint, the front brake line from master cylinder to lil block under the front frame was installed wrong. I cannot even begin to fathom the way the friggin tech thught his idea was acceptable, guessing he had a surplus cable and routed it through the nacelle.
HD service quality has went downhill big time around here. I'm to the point of going to Corporate I'm so disappointed, I wrestling with that.
Sound like I'm complainging? Venting.
Ticks me off, third time has to go in for a clutch cable within 2 months, 1st time around they had the cable adjustment down at the bottom of the frame and most of the gear oil leaked out. The replacement cable is short now and binds on a right turn, dont dare go hands free to see if it tracks straight because of the stress. Back to the shop.
The wiring adddition for the apes looks like spaghetti under the nacelle and obvious as hell whoever looks at it.
One more complaint, the front brake line from master cylinder to lil block under the front frame was installed wrong. I cannot even begin to fathom the way the friggin tech thught his idea was acceptable, guessing he had a surplus cable and routed it through the nacelle.
HD service quality has went downhill big time around here. I'm to the point of going to Corporate I'm so disappointed, I wrestling with that.
Sound like I'm complainging? Venting.
I said to my boy that Ill just put ya car on the ramps just to make sure that they changed ya filter and buttoned up the sump plug,
WELL look what I found !!!!!
With every oil change you get the frigin tool free 🤬
Im going to have a word in their shell like tomorrow.
Gee Freaking Wiz 🙄
Last edited by Wizardofaus; Jan 26, 2020 at 12:51 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 8
From: Wisconsin
Before buying I always come to the new brand's forum and check things out. I just bought a used 107 heritage with 1k miles, I'm coming from 2 Indians. My last one was a scout that I had massive trans issues with, kept getting a false neutral after 4th and after 5th, the dealer never sorted it and I started hating the bike. Interesting to see so many problems, so since I just bought mine and learned it has a factory warranty for another year, I'll be leaving her mostly stock minus some slip ons just to uphold the warranty. My indian dark horse was a great bike but way too heavy, thats why im all over the HD soft tails. Hope my experience goes much better than most in here!
Last edited by rvd9431; Feb 1, 2020 at 10:38 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,584
Likes: 8,408
From: Inland NW
Before buying I always come to the new brand's forum and check things out. I just bought a used 107 heritage with 1k miles, I'm coming from 2 Indians. My last one was a scout that I had massive trans issues with, kept getting a false neutral after 4th and after 5th, the dealer never sorted it and I started hating the bike. Interesting to see so many problems, so since I just bought mine and learned it has a factory warranty for another year, I'll be leaving her mostly stock minus some slip ons just to uphold the warranty.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 8
From: Wisconsin
Thank you all for the responses.
I just rolled over 500 miles. Checked oil and seems fine so far. My only complaint is the clutch. I'd much prefer the clutch engage early in the release instead of at the end of it, but it's something I will just have to adjust to. There are times I get a little wobbly because I expect the bike to start moving sooner and have to let the lever out a little farther. I get pretty bad wind buffeting at high speed too, so I plan to try a klockwork flare windshield.
Also, I'm reading mixed reports of powertrain warranty being voided with header replacement. It seems replacing headers with aftermarket parts such as power duals from V&H may void the warranty on the engine. Is this true? Dealer said it won't, but another dealer said it will. Ugh. I purchased the 4 year ESP plan and would hate to nullify that by replacing the stock headers with V&H. I've listened to some videos on youtube and it seems there isn't a significant sound increase with slipons and stock headers, so I'm not sure I even want to do slipons without the headers. This whole EPA thing didn't seem to be an issue back in 07 when I bought my previous fatboy.
I just rolled over 500 miles. Checked oil and seems fine so far. My only complaint is the clutch. I'd much prefer the clutch engage early in the release instead of at the end of it, but it's something I will just have to adjust to. There are times I get a little wobbly because I expect the bike to start moving sooner and have to let the lever out a little farther. I get pretty bad wind buffeting at high speed too, so I plan to try a klockwork flare windshield.
Also, I'm reading mixed reports of powertrain warranty being voided with header replacement. It seems replacing headers with aftermarket parts such as power duals from V&H may void the warranty on the engine. Is this true? Dealer said it won't, but another dealer said it will. Ugh. I purchased the 4 year ESP plan and would hate to nullify that by replacing the stock headers with V&H. I've listened to some videos on youtube and it seems there isn't a significant sound increase with slipons and stock headers, so I'm not sure I even want to do slipons without the headers. This whole EPA thing didn't seem to be an issue back in 07 when I bought my previous fatboy.
Also, yes you will void your warranty. No matter what a dealer tells you if they call your bike into HD for approval and you have a non-EPA compliant part your warranty is trashed. Tuner, slip ons, air cleaner, any one your voided. Everything you do needs to be done at the dealer with their purchased parts.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 27
Likes: 8
From: Wisconsin
So far the only thing that seems of any concern would be the oil pump/sumping issue and the overall quality of the components. I've seen a few youtube videos showcasing some very poor machine work on an M8. But not enough to make me shy away. I love the look of my heritage and i think its the most perfect motorcycle for the type of riding I like to do, cant wait to get on it and put on some miles.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 965
From: Eastern NC
Before buying I always come to the new brand's forum and check things out. I just bought a used 107 heritage with 1k miles, I'm coming from 2 Indians. My last one was a scout that I had massive trans issues with, kept getting a false neutral after 4th and after 5th, the dealer never sorted it and I started hating the bike. Interesting to see so many problems, so since I just bought mine and learned it has a factory warranty for another year, I'll be leaving her mostly stock minus some slip ons just to uphold the warranty. My indian dark horse was a great bike but way too heavy, thats why im all over the HD soft tails. Hope my experience goes much better than most in here!
Experience with my first M8 was 21,000 miles on a 2017 FLHXS, loved it. I have moved on to 2019 FLHXS with 114 and I smile every time I ride it.
