Softail Comparison from people who have experience with 80ci Evo Softails to current M8 Softails
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 44
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From: Cherry
Softail Comparison from people who have experience with 80ci Evo Softails to current M8 Softails
1) At 80mph is there any less floorboard/peg vibration on a 88ci TC vs a 80ci Evo? (Both 5speed)
2) How Superior is the 103ci 6speed over the 88ci 5speed TC?
3) How Superior is the 107ci M8 over the 103ci TC?
(I only have 10 years experience with Evo Softails and no experience with anything more modern, and am curious to improvements over the years)
Mostly curious towards 2 up highway performance and comfort advancements.
2) How Superior is the 103ci 6speed over the 88ci 5speed TC?
3) How Superior is the 107ci M8 over the 103ci TC?
(I only have 10 years experience with Evo Softails and no experience with anything more modern, and am curious to improvements over the years)
Mostly curious towards 2 up highway performance and comfort advancements.
Last edited by Flufebunekilr; Nov 11, 2017 at 12:55 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,848
Likes: 17,894
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Everybody will claim their bike is the best and will cite various reasons.
When the 2017’s first came out, I test rode a Street Glide. In terms of smoothness, comfort, braking, etc. I was blown away. I had tried various TC103’s of various models before and didn’t like any of them. What is odd is I hated every touring bike I ever rode including Evo powered ones because they felt cumbersome. So it was strange for me to like a touring bike.
I have not tried the new Softails.
And in keeping with my opening statement, I like my old bike the best.
Edit to add that I like the way the new Sport Glide looks, but it is better suited for solo than two up.
When the 2017’s first came out, I test rode a Street Glide. In terms of smoothness, comfort, braking, etc. I was blown away. I had tried various TC103’s of various models before and didn’t like any of them. What is odd is I hated every touring bike I ever rode including Evo powered ones because they felt cumbersome. So it was strange for me to like a touring bike.
I have not tried the new Softails.
And in keeping with my opening statement, I like my old bike the best.
Edit to add that I like the way the new Sport Glide looks, but it is better suited for solo than two up.
Last edited by Prot; Nov 11, 2017 at 05:56 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 263
From: Catalina AZ
My EVO was a hard tail 
we won’t go there....
My 80 was a bagger, same with the 88.
Loved the shake at idle, smooth on the road.
Higher speed though you get some vibration (over 75ish).
I have yet to take take the 103 on a long trip so I can’t honestly say.
But you can defenatly feel the difference (weight & increased power).
I have tested both bagger & softail M8’s.
But no long rides to form an opinion (yet).
As far as local stuff I am happy with my 103 vs the 107/114.
we won’t go there....My 80 was a bagger, same with the 88.
Loved the shake at idle, smooth on the road.
Higher speed though you get some vibration (over 75ish).
I have yet to take take the 103 on a long trip so I can’t honestly say.
But you can defenatly feel the difference (weight & increased power).
I have tested both bagger & softail M8’s.
But no long rides to form an opinion (yet).
As far as local stuff I am happy with my 103 vs the 107/114.
Last edited by GRWHD; Nov 11, 2017 at 06:57 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
In a Twin Cam I would choose a 96" Dyna or touring bike. My '09 has been bullet proof. Nice power, comfortable and reliable.
I put 35,000 miles on my '05 Softail Deluxe before accepting I just did not enjoy the TC "B" motor.
The 103 made nicer power, but overall the motor ran hotter than I enjoyed. The 110 runs even hotter.
The M8 Softail is an entirely different machine. I'm very happy with my 114. It does vibe a bit, but just the right amount for me. If I liked riding at 90+ all day I might look more closely at the touring line, but otherwise it's all day easy/comfortable to ride.
I put 35,000 miles on my '05 Softail Deluxe before accepting I just did not enjoy the TC "B" motor.
The 103 made nicer power, but overall the motor ran hotter than I enjoyed. The 110 runs even hotter.
The M8 Softail is an entirely different machine. I'm very happy with my 114. It does vibe a bit, but just the right amount for me. If I liked riding at 90+ all day I might look more closely at the touring line, but otherwise it's all day easy/comfortable to ride.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I liked the character of my EVO's, loved the sweet sound of a well tuned low idle evo...with a cam I kept up with my friends on a V rod an a Fatboy S 110 but we don't ride crazy, just quick off the line an usually stay under 80 mph. I have tendonitis in my elbow an the vibs would irritate it an my hand would fall asleep, not good for an emergency stop. I got a '15 slim with the 103 an six speed an it's better for that, def a lot less vibs...I changed the exhaust an put a FP3 on it an it's cooler running now. I'm swapping the cams an shocks this winter so I'm expecting to like it even more in the spring.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
1) At 80mph is there any less floorboard/peg vibration on a 88ci TC vs a 80ci Evo? (Both 5speed)
2) How Superior is the 103ci 6speed over the 88ci 5speed TC?
3) How Superior is the 107ci M8 over the 103ci TC?
(I only have 10 years experience with Evo Softails and no experience with anything more modern, and am curious to improvements over the years)
Mostly curious towards 2 up highway performance and comfort advancements.
2) How Superior is the 103ci 6speed over the 88ci 5speed TC?
3) How Superior is the 107ci M8 over the 103ci TC?
(I only have 10 years experience with Evo Softails and no experience with anything more modern, and am curious to improvements over the years)
Mostly curious towards 2 up highway performance and comfort advancements.
Evo & TC at 80 mph - are about the same as far as vibration goes.
I don't think the 6 speed is better than the 5 speed it just gives you that extra gear & in my opinion that eliminated a lot of vibration & naturally lowered the rpms at highway speeds, so I wouldn't say its superior actually the 5 speed has what I think is a better gear set as far as gear mesh & longevity....IMO
107 over the 103........Hmm that's a matter of opinion & which bike you put it in honestly, I tested the Heritage 114 & 1-3rd gear there is a difference, once you get any of the cruiser line up & over 80 the roll on is similar as is engine power, depending on the model "stock for stock" I'm not sure there is a HUGE difference in power - now handling/clearance is another story.
2 up performance & comfort & I can only give opinion on the heritage is this: take your significant other & test a new setup out, My wife & I test rode a new heritage & the seat is a far cry from comfort - at least for the passenger - her comment was I might as well sit on a pancake or just the fender alone.
depending on if you travel the other caveat is storage - so make sure & I mean make sure you can fit the bare necessities in what you are testing out - the heritage is my favorite ride & I was drawn in on the power, suspension, etc... that the other things went un noticed at first, 2nd test ride is when I started to look into the practicality of a possible purchase & the other test rides - I decided to shelf the new 18 for now....!
HD - gives us a base platform & we have to add our desires, needs or wants to it............sometimes on the new models you have to wait & see what the after market comes up with before you jump. Just plan on a new seat or upgrade & depending on model - backrest, floor boards, trunk, etc...
Hope this helped & good luck on your search!
Last edited by LXT; Nov 12, 2017 at 11:06 AM. Reason: spell
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Well, no Evo experience here, but as much as I loved my 2010 96" TC FatBoy, there is no comparison between it and my new 114 M8 FatBoy. Without getting into the subjective looks debate (especially since I think they are both quite beautiful), in terms of poise at speed, acceleration, torque in general, handling, straight line stability, vibration, comfort, clutch ease, brakes (OH MY GOD THE BRAKES, which aside from the ABS are 5 times more powerful and have 10 times better feel... incidentally, my 103 Touring bike with the dual Brembos had marginal brakes, I HATED the ABS, had less feel, WAY less stopping power, and would chatter with the slightest provocation), etc, etc. Yet few people have mentioned the difference even between the modern 6 speeds and the one on the new 2018 Softails!! There is an order of magnitude in improvement, smoothness, positive engagement, and the like. There has to be something like 40% less shift lever travel between shifts now! No more "almost dislocation of one's knee" during shifts...
I have a 97 FLSTS Heritage Springer with EVO motor.
I also have a few FLSTSi Heritage Springers with TC88's.
Riding the EVO is like riding a paint can mixer - it vibrates like crazy, it's like getting a massage while you ride.
The TC88's have a more of a "buzz", but not as much vibration as the EVO's.
I also have a 2014 Touring bike, smooth once you go above 1000 RPM's like glass - no buzz or vibration.
I also have a few FLSTSi Heritage Springers with TC88's.
Riding the EVO is like riding a paint can mixer - it vibrates like crazy, it's like getting a massage while you ride.
The TC88's have a more of a "buzz", but not as much vibration as the EVO's.
I also have a 2014 Touring bike, smooth once you go above 1000 RPM's like glass - no buzz or vibration.