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Just out of curiosity, does the M8 have a true slipper clutch, where it partially disengages or "slips" when the rear wheel tries to drive the engine faster causing the rear wheel to hop (like in engine braking), or it just a "clutch assist" feature?
I had 2 surgeries on my left hand a year ago. The cable clutch on my previous (2009, 2015) Road Kings,became an issue regarding the long term prognosis for my hand. I am almost 70 years old and the new hydraulic clutch on the 2017 FLHR has enabled me to continue riding.
I agree that with time, I'll probably get the hang of the different feel. But twice now, it's almost cost me. It's fine pulling away from stop lights and such, but it's the low speed tight turns, like in a parking lot, or making a left turn at an intersection at very low speeds where you keep waiting for the clutch to engage, but it doesn't. Almost wound up on my ***, or worse, on two different occasions. Guess I just need more stick-time...
But, I am kind of surprised, hyd or not, that there isn't some way to adjus the engagement point.
What I can say is some are better and some are worse. I have a 2017 Road King and its engagement point is very near the end just as others have stated. Your control is the tip of your fingers and that is it. Now my 2017 Ultra limited the clutch engagement is about another 1/4" in from the Road King making it much different. I also have a 2014 Ultra limited with the same damn clutch and its engagement point is very near the middle and so much nicer for tight maneuvers. Now I just need to figure out what I need to change to get the 2017's to work like the 2014 and I will be a happy man. It sucks when you jump on the Road King and stall it because it has none to little area you can use it.
What I can say is some are better and some are worse. I have a 2017 Road King and its engagement point is very near the end just as others have stated. Your control is the tip of your fingers and that is it. Now my 2017 Ultra limited the clutch engagement is about another 1/4" in from the Road King making it much different. I also have a 2014 Ultra limited with the same damn clutch and its engagement point is very near the middle and so much nicer for tight maneuvers. Now I just need to figure out what I need to change to get the 2017's to work like the 2014 and I will be a happy man. It sucks when you jump on the Road King and stall it because it has none to little area you can use it.
being my first hydraulic Harley clutch, my first few rides on my Road King were a learning curve, came close to stalling but never did..since then after 3000 miles I don't even think about it..but I'm used to two stroke dirt bikes so I just make sure my throttle hand and clutch hand are on the same page..it's just 'different' I guess and have to learn how to adapt..not missing the clutch adjustment process or worrying about a cable breaking at the wrong time..trade off well worth it to me
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