New M8 softail, 800 miles on the odometer. Every time I stop at a red light or stop sign I can smell gasoline. Buddy riding behind me stated he smelled gasoline a few times also on our run today. Haven't observed any fuel leaking, and I'm averaging about 45 miles per gallon. Do these new air breathers emit a strong gasoline smell?

 

Negative on the gasoline smell. 45mpg is excellent. The only time I smell gas is from another vehicle, not the M8.

 

Lots of threads on this. It happens, no definitive cause identified.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gaso...obile&ie=UTF-8

 

No gasoline smell from any of our club bikes?Usually find it on older bikes.Prime check points would be the bayonette clamp and seals at the tank outlet or the injector seals and retainer screws all of which are between your legs.Very brave to do 800miles like this?
Make sure to carry a small extinguisher but best to go straight to the dealer shop tomorrow.
Yea, always park it in the shade and give up smoking for Now!

 

The source of smell is the fuel vent located on the left side of the bike tucked in against the frame ending just above the belt guard.
I've noticed the smell in my garage several times, strong after a ride. When I found the vent tube the paint around it on the frame was soft and failing.
My dealer is great, took the bike in and they repainted the area of the frame.
When I got the bike home I extended the tube down under the bike.
Now that I can see the end of the tube I can actually see the vent at work, the fumes looks kinda like a heat wave, but only when the bike is hot and the fuel has expanded.

 

I had the exact same thing happen. turns out, I left my gas cap at some gas station along the way. 15 bucks later the issue was solved. check to see if you still have your gas cap.

 

Finally found the problem. The vapor valve on the fuel overfill line was bad. Problem solved. Thanks all who suggest possible solutions to the problem. All is good now.

 

Was this the same line that I described on the left side of the bike ending just above the belt guard? How is the valve supposed to work and where is it located?

 

Correct the line is on the left side ending above the belt guard, the valve is noted as part number 7 on parts diagram below. Not exactly sure how it's suppose to work.