M8 problems
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 112
Well, my morning started out interesting... was leaving for work, went to start my SGS, turned the ignition and nothing happened... Looked at the ODO display and it said somehting like "ENTER PIN". I had my fob in my backpack which was inside my saddle bag, so I grabbed it thinking it was out of range or something. Held it in my hand, tried again, same thing.
Figured it was just the battery so I ran inside and changed the battery of the fob, came back out, and the bike started. Damn oil light on AGAIN. Pulled out of the driveway, got to the corner and the oil light went out (usually goes out once I get going).
Driving down the road about a mile and the bike just cuts out on me. Check engine light comes on, oil light comes on, no power, engine dead. Luckily I was in front of a school so I coasted in, tried to put the bike in second gear to start it back up while i was coasting, but no-go. Pushed this 1000 lb beast up a small hill, put it on its kickstand and rooted around in my vest to find my phone to call the dealership, while trying to restart the bike. It wouldn't even turn over. Tried about 3 or 4 times.
As I was looking for the dealership number and trying to cool off, I noticed the hazard lights were on for whatever reason and my phone was still connected via bluetooth, even though the bike was turned off. Not sure what that means. Sat there for a minute and then decided to try to start the bike again. It started and I drove it back to my house and parked it. Called the dealership and they are sending someone over to pick it up sometime today.
Pretty bummed.
Of note: About 75% of the time that I start the bike up after it has been sitting for the day, the check oil light comes on and the info screen says "check oil". It eventually goes away once I get down the road, but the times vary. It always goes off though. Never had the bike die on me like this morning.
Anyone know what it could be? Stuck valve? Bad oil pump? Driver error?
EDIT: Bike has less than 800 miles. Already had the tranny rebuilt ~200.
Figured it was just the battery so I ran inside and changed the battery of the fob, came back out, and the bike started. Damn oil light on AGAIN. Pulled out of the driveway, got to the corner and the oil light went out (usually goes out once I get going).
Driving down the road about a mile and the bike just cuts out on me. Check engine light comes on, oil light comes on, no power, engine dead. Luckily I was in front of a school so I coasted in, tried to put the bike in second gear to start it back up while i was coasting, but no-go. Pushed this 1000 lb beast up a small hill, put it on its kickstand and rooted around in my vest to find my phone to call the dealership, while trying to restart the bike. It wouldn't even turn over. Tried about 3 or 4 times.
As I was looking for the dealership number and trying to cool off, I noticed the hazard lights were on for whatever reason and my phone was still connected via bluetooth, even though the bike was turned off. Not sure what that means. Sat there for a minute and then decided to try to start the bike again. It started and I drove it back to my house and parked it. Called the dealership and they are sending someone over to pick it up sometime today.
Pretty bummed.
Of note: About 75% of the time that I start the bike up after it has been sitting for the day, the check oil light comes on and the info screen says "check oil". It eventually goes away once I get down the road, but the times vary. It always goes off though. Never had the bike die on me like this morning.
Anyone know what it could be? Stuck valve? Bad oil pump? Driver error?
EDIT: Bike has less than 800 miles. Already had the tranny rebuilt ~200.
Eagle Out
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Dfw
Im guessing it didn't throw any codes because when i called they said they rode the bike and couldn't replicate the issue. They are going to try again today.
I believe that I counted 15 individual sensors that all report to the ECM when the bike is running. (Thanks EPA) So, it could be any number of things. Some sensors have the capability to shut the bike off entirely and some just disable certain features. The dealer will plug your bike into their digital technician and hopefully that will tell them where the problem is. We will keep our fingers crossed for you.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Dfw
I was replying on my phone, so I didn't get to add that I'm bracing myself for them not finding anything.
I don't know how common it is for an m8 bike to just stall out while riding it, but I wouldn't think it is common at all. My 2008 Dyna never did anything like this. I know, different motor, different bike, but that thing was solid and I trusted it 100%. I'm nervous taking this bike on a freeway if it has the potential to just die as I'm cruising along at 80 mph. This is the 2nd time it has done this, and I know that the first time it was something discoverable (transmission), but this time is just weird. Something else to note - I wasn't expecting to have to change my keyfob battery so soon. Those little batteries usually last years in my car/truck key fobs, and I wonder if this is all somehow related.
I don't know how common it is for an m8 bike to just stall out while riding it, but I wouldn't think it is common at all. My 2008 Dyna never did anything like this. I know, different motor, different bike, but that thing was solid and I trusted it 100%. I'm nervous taking this bike on a freeway if it has the potential to just die as I'm cruising along at 80 mph. This is the 2nd time it has done this, and I know that the first time it was something discoverable (transmission), but this time is just weird. Something else to note - I wasn't expecting to have to change my keyfob battery so soon. Those little batteries usually last years in my car/truck key fobs, and I wonder if this is all somehow related.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 666
Bought a new 17 RG in September last year.
Noticed warped rotors. Figured I'd get it taken care of on the 1000 mi service.
Warranty denied because the rotors were within .001 of the limit. They were bad enough to bob the fairing up and down when lightly braking. I was told I overheated the rotors. Lol
At 1500 miles the front head started leaking oil at the oil line mount on the front of the head. MOCO sent out new head oil line and orings. 2 days later I was back on the road.
At 10,000 miles the drive belt broke while tooling down the road. Replaced in 2 days.
And now I get the security light coming on after about 10-15mins of riding. Rear tail lights are inop. Turn the ignition off, then back on, and the tail lights come back on...for another 10-15 mins.
My delivering dealer, who denied warranty for warped rotors also told me I would have to wait almost 2 weeks before the shop can even plug it in the digital tech to see if there's a code indicating what's wrong. I explained I ride at night and riding without tail lights is dangerous and a safety issue. I was told not to ride the bike then.
I've owned many Harley's over the years but this is, by far, the worst bike for issues I've owned.
Pissed and thanks for listening,
Bob
Noticed warped rotors. Figured I'd get it taken care of on the 1000 mi service.
Warranty denied because the rotors were within .001 of the limit. They were bad enough to bob the fairing up and down when lightly braking. I was told I overheated the rotors. Lol
At 1500 miles the front head started leaking oil at the oil line mount on the front of the head. MOCO sent out new head oil line and orings. 2 days later I was back on the road.
At 10,000 miles the drive belt broke while tooling down the road. Replaced in 2 days.
And now I get the security light coming on after about 10-15mins of riding. Rear tail lights are inop. Turn the ignition off, then back on, and the tail lights come back on...for another 10-15 mins.
My delivering dealer, who denied warranty for warped rotors also told me I would have to wait almost 2 weeks before the shop can even plug it in the digital tech to see if there's a code indicating what's wrong. I explained I ride at night and riding without tail lights is dangerous and a safety issue. I was told not to ride the bike then.
I've owned many Harley's over the years but this is, by far, the worst bike for issues I've owned.
Pissed and thanks for listening,
Bob
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
Bought a new 17 RG in September last year.
Noticed warped rotors. Figured I'd get it taken care of on the 1000 mi service.
Warranty denied because the rotors were within .001 of the limit. They were bad enough to bob the fairing up and down when lightly braking. I was told I overheated the rotors. Lol
At 1500 miles the front head started leaking oil at the oil line mount on the front of the head. MOCO sent out new head oil line and orings. 2 days later I was back on the road.
At 10,000 miles the drive belt broke while tooling down the road. Replaced in 2 days.
And now I get the security light coming on after about 10-15mins of riding. Rear tail lights are inop. Turn the ignition off, then back on, and the tail lights come back on...for another 10-15 mins.
My delivering dealer, who denied warranty for warped rotors also told me I would have to wait almost 2 weeks before the shop can even plug it in the digital tech to see if there's a code indicating what's wrong. I explained I ride at night and riding without tail lights is dangerous and a safety issue. I was told not to ride the bike then.
I've owned many Harley's over the years but this is, by far, the worst bike for issues I've owned.
Pissed and thanks for listening,
Bob
Noticed warped rotors. Figured I'd get it taken care of on the 1000 mi service.
Warranty denied because the rotors were within .001 of the limit. They were bad enough to bob the fairing up and down when lightly braking. I was told I overheated the rotors. Lol
At 1500 miles the front head started leaking oil at the oil line mount on the front of the head. MOCO sent out new head oil line and orings. 2 days later I was back on the road.
At 10,000 miles the drive belt broke while tooling down the road. Replaced in 2 days.
And now I get the security light coming on after about 10-15mins of riding. Rear tail lights are inop. Turn the ignition off, then back on, and the tail lights come back on...for another 10-15 mins.
My delivering dealer, who denied warranty for warped rotors also told me I would have to wait almost 2 weeks before the shop can even plug it in the digital tech to see if there's a code indicating what's wrong. I explained I ride at night and riding without tail lights is dangerous and a safety issue. I was told not to ride the bike then.
I've owned many Harley's over the years but this is, by far, the worst bike for issues I've owned.
Pissed and thanks for listening,
Bob
Even worse I now also have oil leaking from between the front cylinder tappet block and the engine case. Is it coming from the cylinder base, tappet block gasket or a porous casting? Can't tell but it's running down the front of the engine and marking the garage floor. The factory reps have already been to my dealer twice and failed so far to fix the original problem.
I have no doubt this is all related to the sumping issues that the MOCO still can't get their hands around. For almost 30 years Harley and I have had a fair
relationship. They took my money and I rode their bikes with great reliability.
That's no longer the case.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 135
Likes: 20
From: Western WI
Well I damn sure feel for you Bob. While my issues haven't varied as much as yours I'm on my 6th visit to the dealer for the same issue. Oil being pushed into the air filter. Even a new engine and upgraded pump didn't resolve the problem.
Even worse I now also have oil leaking from between the front cylinder tappet block and the engine case. Is it coming from the cylinder base, tappet block gasket or a porous casting? Can't tell but it's running down the front of the engine and marking the garage floor. The factory reps have already been to my dealer twice and failed so far to fix the original problem.
I have no doubt this is all related to the sumping issues that the MOCO still can't get their hands around. For almost 30 years Harley and I have had a fair
relationship. They took my money and I rode their bikes with great reliability.
That's no longer the case.
Even worse I now also have oil leaking from between the front cylinder tappet block and the engine case. Is it coming from the cylinder base, tappet block gasket or a porous casting? Can't tell but it's running down the front of the engine and marking the garage floor. The factory reps have already been to my dealer twice and failed so far to fix the original problem.
I have no doubt this is all related to the sumping issues that the MOCO still can't get their hands around. For almost 30 years Harley and I have had a fair
relationship. They took my money and I rode their bikes with great reliability.
That's no longer the case.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Dfw
I got my bike back today. They couldn't find a damn thing wrong with it and suggested that I must have hit the kill switch. I'm pretty sure that I did not, and there is a slim chance that I did, but I've hit it before and knew right away what I did.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
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Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,310
Likes: 1,079
I got my bike back today. They couldn't find a damn thing wrong with it and suggested that I must have hit the kill switch. I'm pretty sure that I did not, and there is a slim chance that I did, but I've hit it before and knew right away what I did.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
At first I thought I had a serious engine issue even though it was running fine. Then I realized there's a separate alert for Tire Pressure in addition to the engine light. At first I thought I had a flat but soon learned its just a lost TPMS connection that ultimately returns. Its probably happened 2 dozen times over 5000 miles. I thought I'd share this in the event it might be related to your engine light.
Last edited by Heatwave; Jul 20, 2017 at 08:56 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
I got my bike back today. They couldn't find a damn thing wrong with it and suggested that I must have hit the kill switch. I'm pretty sure that I did not, and there is a slim chance that I did, but I've hit it before and knew right away what I did.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
They couldn't replicate the check oil light that always comes on when I start the bike. When I say it comes on, I mean it comes on and stays on until I get down the road a way. It has done it at least 6 times in the past 2 weeks. I'll keep an eye on it and start recording it with my phone when I start the bike to see if I can catch.
Still perplexed about the fob battery dying, so are they. I'm supposed to bring the original battery in to see what kind of charge it has on it. One side note, I found that my bike's build date was in January of this year.
One thing that can happen is some other device jams the radio signals between the bike and the FOB.. Any other RF devices close by.. It don't explain the oil light.. It might be something wrong with the CAN bus tho.. Both Fob and neutral could be can bus issues.