Been out of the HD game for a while. Last bike was a 2017 SG bought new that I put about 5k miles on with no issues. By the time I got rid of it they still hadn't diagnosed the oil sumping and trans fluid transfer issues. With the little research Ive done since diving back in it looks like theyve since found the fixes. The RKS im getting has 18k miles on it and is in really great shape. Ive tried searching with the VIN to see if its had any of the fixes done but cant find anything. The dealer is not a true HD dealer so nothing they can tell me. Back in the day after the M8 came it out it appeared it was hit or miss if it was going to happen and if so it showed up pretty early on in low mileage motors.

Do you think Im ok on a bike with 18k miles?

Thanks

 

it's a guessing game..as 1st MY M8 early adopters, we had quite a few problems on our 2017s, and no problems on our 2020s, so they obviously went through growing pains and maturation process.. many 2017 owners didn't have the perceived chronic problems that plagued some..good luck

edit: being ~ 10 years old now with only averaging 1800 miles annually, I would for sure do the services that are time required to be safe..like spark plugs (wouldn't want them to be hardened in for that long) and hydraulic brake and clutch fluid flushes which could have absorbed lots of moisture, and are scheduled to be done every two years regardless..might want to have the steering head adjustment performed as well..it calls for 25 K but I have done it at 20K and noticed improvement, maybe a good brake cleaning or pad replacement as well, are the tires looking worn with age cracks? .. bottom line is if looks in great condition, you get a really good price on it and plan to keep it for many years and miles..not a bad I idea to throw some more $ at it to refresh aged things to restore to like new, imho anyway

 

I think you'll be alright. Just give it a full look over, don't assume that the not a harley dealership did everything that should have been done beforehand. Remember if new bikes off the lot have people visiting the service dept, a used one absolutely can, too. Somewhere in the end of the service manual there's a checklist for basic service and then there's a more comprehensive checklist for just about everything that needs to be done and at what mileage it needs doing. I do this Everytime I change my fluids. I've got 60k on my 2016 FXDLHO and have never had a single issue other than the stock ignition switch needing to be replaced which was a recall issue anyway. I do change all 3 fluids every 3k with synthetic except for the primary I use the Harley conventional fluid for that. Have done this since the first 1k and every 3k since, and so far so good. Bikes only 10 yrs old I do use it a lot.

 

I believe it was mainly the coolant heads over the oil headed bikes that sumped.. I've got a 17 RK with over 60000 miles on it and the only issues have been a cracked front heat shield and a little bit of the oil transfer. The primary breather fixed the oil transfer. There was a recall on the clutch slave and a hose clamp crimp check on some early 17s. If the hose leaks after warrantee out, a hose clamp will fix it.

 

I had a 17 RKS zero issues . Wish I still had her , I traded her for a Road glide .

i think the only ones who had issues were ones that modded the Cam .

 

I haven't. Got the TQ cam at the 1000 mile service..

 

It would likely not have the upgraded 8 lobe oil pump though….

 

It don't need it..