2018 Ultra
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
2018 Ultra
Thinking about an upgrade from an 09 Streetglide . Thoughts on a 2018 Ultra with 10,000 miles? I know all about the sumping issues etc. , if it wasn't done already, I would upgrade to the new design oil pump for peace of mind.
Would you take a chance or save up to get into a 2020 or newer when most of the issues with the early M8's were taken care of ?
Would you take a chance or save up to get into a 2020 or newer when most of the issues with the early M8's were taken care of ?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,638
Likes: 11,346
From: Colorado Rockies
I had the oil transfer issue on my 2018 Ultra and had it fixed right away. It has been flawless, otherwise. Getting tires replaced in a few weeks and then leaving on a 2,500 mile trip along portions of rt.66 and through Nevada along U.S. rt. 50, America's Loneliest Hwy. No concerns about it at all.
Check the motorcycle over good and if it checks out then strongly consider one. Good luck.
Check the motorcycle over good and if it checks out then strongly consider one. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,675
Likes: 11,463
From: State of Confusion
all I can contribute from our personal experience is that wife and I bought 2017s with oil cooled 107s...quite a few problems over the combined 70,000 miles we owned them but were under warranty..FF to our 2020s, oil cooled 114 and twin cooled 117 were 100% trouble free over the 105,000 combined miles we owned them..I can't speak to the in between years of 2018 and 2019 but there were some fixes applied during those MY models....there's something to be said about waiting a few years to let them sort through the maturity process / growing pains of newly designed models of any kind of vehicles....even the mighty Toyota reputation took a reliability hit on their fresh new completely redesigned Tacoma in 2024.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
Need to do a little research, but I "think" the 2018 Ultra's had the liquid-cooled heads ?
Seems like there's always a few issues with every model year or make ....
Seems like there's always a few issues with every model year or make ....
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 137
From: North Carolina
I bought a 2018 Ultra Limited in 2022. It had under 6k miles on it and was completely stock. I put the primary vent tube in it right away and then after a few thousand miles I did a cam and changed to the new style oil pump. I wasnt having any problems but did the vent and pump for my own peace of mind. I had it for 2.5 years and put 30k more miles on it and never had any issues with it. Every bike is going to be different, you could buy a new one and grenade the engine in a couple months. If its in good shape, has any service records and you like it, I say get it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,675
Likes: 11,463
From: State of Confusion
ask me how I know 
it's a 2024 and happened after 1 year and 19,300 miles ..I left it stock and had all the maintenance records in compliance so got a free engine replacement
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 221
Likes: 45
From: wisconsin
In the meantime .... the 2018 I was looking at got sold . But looking at a 2023 with 2200 miles on it , vivid black . Good price and close close bye, but a little research tells me you either live with the color or just find one the color you like !