Thinking about upgrading to M8 Touring
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 43
From: Upstate NY
Thinking about upgrading to M8 Touring
Been considering for a couple years now about trading and getting a touring bike. Test road 16 RGS and 16 SGS last year. Pluses and minuses on both. I liked SGS faring design better but counter steering very slow response vs RGS because of fairing weight on forks. Decided to wait at least until this year. Lo and behold the M8 arrives. I did not consider RK because of seat height. Now RKS comes out and boasts seat height 2" lower. Dont like the $3k price increase on RKS especially with no shield. 2016 models have nice deals on them to get rid of them. M8 worth it over HO 103? What are options on lowering RK seat height and back a little? Is it as simple as buying a different seat or is suspension modification required or both? Many more questions in my head about the 4 bikes I mentioned but I am trying to keep this simple for now. Any thoughts?
Last edited by kanelakos; Mar 7, 2017 at 05:14 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,698
Likes: 11,492
From: State of Confusion
Been considering for a couple years now about trading and getting a touring bike. Test road 16 RGS and 16 SGS last year. Pluses and minuses on both. I liked SGS faring design better but counter steering very slow response vs RGS because of fairing weight on forks. Decided to wait at least until this year. Lo and behold the M8 arrives. I did not consider RK because of seat height. Now RKS comes out and boasts seat height 2" lower. Dont like the $3k price increase on RKS especially with no shield. 2016 models have nice deals on them to get rid of them. M8 worth it over HO 103? What are options on lowering RK seat height and back a little? Is it as simple as buying a different seat or is suspension modification required or both? Many more questions in my head about the 4 bikes I mentioned but I am trying to keep this simple for now. Any thoughts?
What are options on lowering RK seat height and back a little? Is it as simple as buying a different seat or is suspension modification required or both?
different seat maybe, but lower profile may be firmer which wouldn't be good for Touring and same thoughts for lowering the suspension, 3" vs 2" travel not best for Touring..I hate the thought of buying a new bike and having to throw that much $$ at it to modify for ergonomics and comfort..bars, seat, suspension, etc.
but need to know more about your riding habits...1 up or 2 up, majority long distances or shorter, you ride aggressive or laid back, do you want a infotainment, sounds like not a requirement for you based on your comments and what's your budget ceiling (for now..lol)
Last edited by mjwebb; Mar 7, 2017 at 06:01 AM.
I just went from 20 plus years on WideGlides which I love and kept my current on to a 17 RGU. 4 weeks and 2500 miles in and all I can say is why did I not do this years ago.
I picked the RG over SG for a couple of reasons, one being the look I prefer the shark nose over the batwing. The most important reason is that I am a tall guy and the Shark made me feel less confined, felt like I had more room up front which may all be in my head but I immediately felt more comfortable on the RG than the SG when I started looking. The other big reason was that the frame mounted fairing on the RG seemed to be more nimble for me at slow speed maneuvers. The handling was more of what I was used to from none faring bikes
Others here that have more seat time on HO 103s can give you a better comparison as my seat time on that engine amounted to test rides. I will say that I really liked the M8 on the first ride and have only grown to enjoy it more with each mile. THe power delivery seems more linear to me than the TCs with the same pull throughout the range.
As to seat height I can't help you as I am 6'7" and have the opposite issues but my suggestion would be to attempt to get the seat height lowered by going with a lower seat first rather than suspension mods. There are a lot of aftermarket and HD seats that can lower you and it would be worth a try to get the dealership to let you demo some seats on the different bikes to see if you can accomplish what you want.
Lastly there are deals on 16s as you say but there are also dealers making deals on 17s. I paid $900 below list for my 17 RGU out the door after all taxes, fees etc... had been added in.
I picked the RG over SG for a couple of reasons, one being the look I prefer the shark nose over the batwing. The most important reason is that I am a tall guy and the Shark made me feel less confined, felt like I had more room up front which may all be in my head but I immediately felt more comfortable on the RG than the SG when I started looking. The other big reason was that the frame mounted fairing on the RG seemed to be more nimble for me at slow speed maneuvers. The handling was more of what I was used to from none faring bikes
Others here that have more seat time on HO 103s can give you a better comparison as my seat time on that engine amounted to test rides. I will say that I really liked the M8 on the first ride and have only grown to enjoy it more with each mile. THe power delivery seems more linear to me than the TCs with the same pull throughout the range.
As to seat height I can't help you as I am 6'7" and have the opposite issues but my suggestion would be to attempt to get the seat height lowered by going with a lower seat first rather than suspension mods. There are a lot of aftermarket and HD seats that can lower you and it would be worth a try to get the dealership to let you demo some seats on the different bikes to see if you can accomplish what you want.
Lastly there are deals on 16s as you say but there are also dealers making deals on 17s. I paid $900 below list for my 17 RGU out the door after all taxes, fees etc... had been added in.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
The 2017 RK is a bargain by comparison. I am a Road King rider and been there and done that with batwings and Heritages. The seat height can be addressed with seats, tire size or suspension mods that are cheper the $3000. The RK special has a place, but it's not a value. The M8/RK is. If I was in the market for a $22K+ Harley I would buy the RK.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 11,441
Think carefully about what you want out of a touring bike. Saving a few buck buying a RK often ends up with riders spending a lot of money trying to finish it.
Nothing wrong with a 2016. The M8 is better. Better is not always necessary .
Nothing wrong with a 2016. The M8 is better. Better is not always necessary .
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 216
From: Davenport, IA
I can only give you my experience and justification for going M8 RG...
I was really drawn to a left over 16 RGU CVO - pretty much at dealer invoice. But... after riding the M8, I knew I would always regret spending that much money on older technology. The suspension and the M8 put the newer bikes in a whole new category. Nothing wrong with the '16's and older, but M8's really are that much better.
So I went with a RGU, which had most of the upgrades I would have done to a Special. I added a stage II, some bolt-on pretties, a new seat, and I am good to go. I am so glad I went with the M8. And as Scudda said, I am all but positive that the M8 will make it's way down to the at least the soft tails in '18.
Best of luck with your decision.
I was really drawn to a left over 16 RGU CVO - pretty much at dealer invoice. But... after riding the M8, I knew I would always regret spending that much money on older technology. The suspension and the M8 put the newer bikes in a whole new category. Nothing wrong with the '16's and older, but M8's really are that much better.
So I went with a RGU, which had most of the upgrades I would have done to a Special. I added a stage II, some bolt-on pretties, a new seat, and I am good to go. I am so glad I went with the M8. And as Scudda said, I am all but positive that the M8 will make it's way down to the at least the soft tails in '18.
Best of luck with your decision.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
I can only give you my experience and justification for going M8 RG...
I was really drawn to a left over 16 RGU CVO - pretty much at dealer invoice. But... after riding the M8, I knew I would always regret spending that much money on older technology. The suspension and the M8 put the newer bikes in a whole new category. Nothing wrong with the '16's and older, but M8's really are that much better.
So I went with a RGU, which had most of the upgrades I would have done to a Special. I added a stage II, some bolt-on pretties, a new seat, and I am good to go. I am so glad I went with the M8. And as Scudda said, I am all but positive that the M8 will make it's way down to the at least the soft tails in '18.
Best of luck with your decision.
I was really drawn to a left over 16 RGU CVO - pretty much at dealer invoice. But... after riding the M8, I knew I would always regret spending that much money on older technology. The suspension and the M8 put the newer bikes in a whole new category. Nothing wrong with the '16's and older, but M8's really are that much better.
So I went with a RGU, which had most of the upgrades I would have done to a Special. I added a stage II, some bolt-on pretties, a new seat, and I am good to go. I am so glad I went with the M8. And as Scudda said, I am all but positive that the M8 will make it's way down to the at least the soft tails in '18.
Best of luck with your decision.