M8 vs Indian
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 170
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte, NC
Looks like a futuristic version of a Road King. They never stop going after Harley riders in Japan. I'm sure that's a fantastic motorcycle. Plenty of gizmos, gadgets and toys on it. If you're on the road and something goes wrong with it in the middle of nowhere who's going to fix it? Who will have parts for it? Will your great "once in a lifetime" road trip be over? What's the fuel mileage on a bike like that? 25mpg? I've owned Yamaha. Customer support is not their strength in my experience.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
and suddenly we have a new contender, Yamaha #1 in reliability year after year
http://ridermagazine.com/2017/06/05/...t-look-review/
http://ridermagazine.com/2017/06/05/...t-look-review/
It's almost too good to be true at the price point of a Street Glide Special.
My only concerns would be tire wear (Yamaha cruisers were known for going thru tires a LOT faster than Harleys) and the charging system. With all that draw the thing needs two alternators and I can only imagine the stator. The electrical system could be a weak point and a pain in the butt to troubleshoot.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 170
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte, NC
I actually really really like the feature set on that bike! Heated contact points standard, electric parking assist (both forward and reverse), and a true Bluetooth entertainment system with dual volume controls. Plus an adjustable windshield and 122 ft lbs of torque.
It's almost too good to be true at the price point of a Street Glide Special.
My only concerns would be tire wear (Yamaha cruisers were known for going thru tires a LOT faster than Harleys) and the charging system. With all that draw the thing needs two alternators and I can only imagine the stator. The electrical system could be a weak point and a pain in the butt to troubleshoot.
It's almost too good to be true at the price point of a Street Glide Special.
My only concerns would be tire wear (Yamaha cruisers were known for going thru tires a LOT faster than Harleys) and the charging system. With all that draw the thing needs two alternators and I can only imagine the stator. The electrical system could be a weak point and a pain in the butt to troubleshoot.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 89
Likes: 13
From: Nc
Read my post again, I'm not comparing the two, that's why I said they are two totally different animals. Some people were debating power and quickness etc. of the M8 so my point was don't buy the M8 if that is top on your list, if you want a fast bagger with real power then buy a sport touring bike. Not comparing the two because there is no comparison. I love my SGS for what it is.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 5,069
From: Georgia
I really cannot handle their "dash" on these bikes. Nor do I like the fender.
I actually looked/rode a Vintage? Leather bags didn't work for me. i need truly secure luggage. Besides I don't care for that front fender. Then to top it off its a bigger pig than the Road King I did buy. Sad it really does ride better.
of course in the down hill race to making bloated pigs Yamaha just introduced a 950lb air cooled tour bike... oh my... who gets the crown for the first 1k weight bike?
The M8 Road King I now own handles night and day better than that 2016 SG I had. No concern burning off a lot of speed coming into a corner or even in it, ripply road is no problem now. Shocks are bit overly stiff over light bumps. Still its not easy getting it right when you start out with 800lbs or 900....
I actually looked/rode a Vintage? Leather bags didn't work for me. i need truly secure luggage. Besides I don't care for that front fender. Then to top it off its a bigger pig than the Road King I did buy. Sad it really does ride better.
of course in the down hill race to making bloated pigs Yamaha just introduced a 950lb air cooled tour bike... oh my... who gets the crown for the first 1k weight bike?
The M8 Road King I now own handles night and day better than that 2016 SG I had. No concern burning off a lot of speed coming into a corner or even in it, ripply road is no problem now. Shocks are bit overly stiff over light bumps. Still its not easy getting it right when you start out with 800lbs or 900....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
I test rode a Chieftan last year and a lot of the comments I've read mirror my reactions. The bike definitely feels cheaper and not put together as well. But for a stock vs stock I'll be damned if that Chieftan didn't ride smooth as silk. I just don't understand how HD has been in the game this long and they still can put out decent suspension?!?!? No way no how should Polaris figure it out before them.......
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 170
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte, NC
I test rode a Chieftan last year and a lot of the comments I've read mirror my reactions. The bike definitely feels cheaper and not put together as well. But for a stock vs stock I'll be damned if that Chieftan didn't ride smooth as silk. I just don't understand how HD has been in the game this long and they still can put out decent suspension?!?!? No way no how should Polaris figure it out before them.......
I think HD is so obsessed with keeping the bike low that they forfeit suspension travel. I'm not sure how important a lower overall stance is to the HD faithful but I wouldn't care about another inch .... Maybe drop the seat height to compensate?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 727
From: Michigan
The one thing Polaris did was put good suspensions under their Cross bikes and Indians. I never cared for the fact I had to rebuild a new suspension on a $20k motorcycle. Sounds like the '17s have stepped up. It was just me but I always felt like I was being "chumped" because it was a "Harley".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
When I test rode the Chieftan I had my 15RGS for about a year and already racked up a few thousand miles so I was eager to do a comparison. I could definitely feel the heat everybody was mentioning. But once we got on the open road the bike was silky smooth. That's what stuck with me the most. The stock radio was decent.... electronic windshield was cool. But the bike just seemed to float down the highway. Front and rear suspension was plush like I was riding in a Cadillac. Idk? Just kinda had me wondering how in the hell did they do it and why can't HD???