Personal review of the SG M8
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 760
Likes: 273
From: Olympia, WA
My Dyna is at least 150 pounds lighter, thus, it's much better in parking lots and u-turns. The Dyna is just a great all-around scoot. The SG is superior on the interstate. More stable. It gave me a feeling of security when running down the highway at 80. Honestly, if you have a lot of miles under your belt, the SG (or RK) will be a short learning curve and would suit your need for a variety of riding scenarios. All this being said, my Dyna makes me feel like I'm on a Harley. The M8 is great, but it's so refined it reminded me of a good metric.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,058
Likes: 51,253
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Tony P, nice review. I see in your signature, you're coming from a Dyna. Any comments on the handling difference between the 2? I'm on a Switchback, but made the very stupid mistake of test riding an M8 RK and was very impressed with it. I'm wondering how livable the additional mass is to manage day to day.
Downside to having too much fun around town on the RK is seriously crappy gas milage
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Good point. I did find I had to give a bit more throttle off a stop.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
I essentially did this, I come off a well tuned and suspension upgraded hotrod shovelhead to the M8 RK. Did feel weird at first as the RK is heavier and sits quite a bit higher saddle wise. Took a few hundred miles breaking it in and getting a feel for the bikes handling and while different and a bit bigger in tight & slow spots I've found myself riding and hot ******* just like the old bike. Difference is the RK feels solidly connected to the road and it's got a lean angle most won't get near using all of. It's bigger but you find you adjust quick with M8's torque band the bike just begs to be ridden and not just in a straight line.
Downside to having too much fun around town on the RK is seriously crappy gas milage
Downside to having too much fun around town on the RK is seriously crappy gas milage
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
Don't forget that there is an air cooled and liquid cooled version, and the differences are minimal. From an engineering and manufacturing standpoint, these changes are insignificant. Really, what is needed to go from air to liquid cooled on the current M8? Based on the internals and cutaways I've seen, very little - nothing would need redesigned or reworked.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 760
Likes: 273
From: Olympia, WA
I essentially did this, I come off a well tuned and suspension upgraded hotrod shovelhead to the M8 RK. Did feel weird at first as the RK is heavier and sits quite a bit higher saddle wise. Took a few hundred miles breaking it in and getting a feel for the bikes handling and while different and a bit bigger in tight & slow spots I've found myself riding and hot ******* just like the old bike. Difference is the RK feels solidly connected to the road and it's got a lean angle most won't get near using all of. It's bigger but you find you adjust quick with M8's torque band the bike just begs to be ridden and not just in a straight line.
Downside to having too much fun around town on the RK is seriously crappy gas milage
Downside to having too much fun around town on the RK is seriously crappy gas milage
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