M8 vs Indian
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 369
Likes: 130
From: Maryland
Let me get this straight. The Indian rides better but the Harley has better paint. And one of the deal breakers is the Harley's engine is quicker? I think we're down to Larry is smarter than Moe. They're both bloated old dudes' bikes. I just don't think it's legal to say quick and the American muscle baggers' names in the same sentence. Now, the wife and I are going to jump on our racing baggers and take advantage of this nice northern Michigan Sunday.
If you are not a Vic owner, then what is this Racing Bagger you speak of?
My M8 (which is tuned and modified) will take my X1 (which is tuned and modified) off idle and thorugh the gears. The ONLY place my 106 has more is up top, the place where I rarely, if ever ride for more than short burst to pass.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 369
Likes: 130
From: Maryland
This 17 M8 clutch issue is not just a HD thing. My 16 Vic is the same and I have the hydraulic clutch on mine. It came with a stupid cable clutch stock. Hard pull, way out to the end of the lever travel for engagement. I think it is more to to with these big *** clutch packs and springs, not the design of the hydraulic systems in my experience.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 727
From: Michigan
Easy big guy. I already said I have a Victory. Hardly a racer but a nice handling, riding bike for a tall guy. I think you take your hobby and yourself way too seriously with this koolaid crap. I'm too old to be a fan boy of anything. I think you made it through my first post and got excited and read no farther. Keep reading and I think you'l see things differently.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 369
Likes: 130
From: Maryland
No not at all. Victory owners (as a whole not all), tend to be way over enthusiastic about the brand and love to bash HD. Like I said, I own one and like it, but it is not the end all be all like alot of Vic owners would have the world believe. There are plenty of little issues with Vic's. The Magnum (CC, XCT etc.) is a good bike no doubt, but I can say without hesitation today, the M8 is a better motor for normal riding most guys do. The torque off idle and acceleration is better than my Coastal Vic tuned X1. Handling and steering is quicker and the last thing that stands out, the Vic feels like it is 800+ pounds, especially in slow speed riding while the RKS feels nimble and more sporty in the twisty stuff.
Now this is just my opinion and others might not feel that way.
Now this is just my opinion and others might not feel that way.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
I guess the sport tourer is what he was referring to ... Something like the BMW K1600 or Yamaha FJR. Those are fast bikes with bags. I assume the customer for that is a customer that no longer wants a sport bike but isn't ready to admit they were wrong about baggers lol
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
I was actually considering both the road glide and the indian chieftain back in 2015 (pre M8). Engine wise at the time, they were neck in neck for the most part. I actually do like the look of both bikes. The audio on the indian was definitely superior. The deal breaker on the indian for me was I was cramped on it. I knew Harley had seat options. There was no option at the time on the indian. And the RG had more room. Obviously went with the Harley and haven't looked back.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 10,366
Likes: 406
From: Connecticut
The "new" Indians have a Polaris feel and look to them of which I am not a fan.
It's really a shame because Indians were awesome looking bikes.
It's really a shame because Indians were awesome looking bikes.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 170
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte, NC
I have a 2015 BMW RT1200 sport touring and also a 2017 SGS, two totally different animals. I love my SGS with the M8 but I do find it amusing when I hear people say "my M8 is a beast" once again I absolutely love my M8 but it is nowhere near a beast, quite the opposite. If I want to ride a powerful fast bike I jump on my beamer. Let's be 100% honest, M8 is 79hp stock, even if you drop 5 grand into the motor it's still in the low 100's while most sport tourers are 130-155hp bone stock. I guess my point is, if you are looking for a performance/muscle bike them don't buy an M8, if you want a great cruiser/bagger the M8 is hard to beat.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 5,063
Likes: 2,582
From: On my bike!
You have to keep in mind that there are classes of bikes. No one is going to argue that a bagger has the same specs as a sport bike. That's just obvious. But in it's class, the M8 engine is torqued down low and relative to it's competition and it's previous generation it's a "beast". You wouldn't compare a Miata to a Mustang so why compare different class of bikes?
