Hello everyone,

I have had a 04 Softail Standard and a 07 Night Train, both engines ran well while I had them but had problems with some other parts, (IAC valve, starter, etc.). Now I'm thinking about getting another HD if things go well soon. I have seen a 2013 Softail Slim with just 4000 miles of use, with a 103 TC. I like that bike, but not sure if it would be a better choice to purcharse a M8 Harley. Truth is that most M8 bikes don't have the look I like the most, they are "too muscular" for me, but I read that in terms of gas consumption and reliability the M8 is far better.

Besides that, what I want to do is changing the whole front end to a springer fork with an ape hanger, and I see that in the brand new available M8 bikes, this kind fork doesn't look the way I like.

So, what do you think? Is there so much difference in terms of reliability and miles per tank between these two options?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts on it.

Kind regards,

rideoner

 

I prefer 103 TC , the m8 engine, sound how a japan bike.

 

While the M8 engine platform offers excellent performance, it has it's own set of issues just like any Harley engine platform I have owned since my first shovel head. The key to any engine platform is to have a good maintenance schedule along with proper operation, and you will most likely get many years and many miles of reliable use.

While the M8 is a step forward in design and performance, I don't believe it is so much better than a well maintained Twin Cam, that I would ignore buying a Twin Cam bike... The M8 still has a starter, sensors, and all the stuff that can go wrong on any bike. The M8 isn't perfect, heck it is still using the Harley "C" lifters that have been considered subpar by most and total "crap" by many, since their introduction in mid 2011 production twin cam engines..

I owned a 1980 AMF Harley Lowrider. We've all heard the horror stories.... I bought that bike new in 1980, owned it for 9 years and 89K miles. I rode it, modded it, and loved that bike. I only had one incident where it left me along the side of the road, and quite frankly, that incident was self-inflicted... Any engine platform can be a blessing or a dog... care & maintenance are the keys... and sometimes, stuff just happens, through no fault of the engine platform


As to your mileage, that is going to be based on many factors... many that you control, some you cannot.

Do you drive on back country roads (50-65mph) or SoCal freeways (70-85mph)?
Do you live in an area with miles and miles of flat land, or do you live in the Rocky Mountains?
Do you like to "play" with the throttle, making quick starts?
Do you see a highway or freeway on- ramp as a chance to set a land speed acceleration record?
Is your bike completely OEM or do you have Stage I , II, II, etc... And yet even built bikes get good mileage if tuned properly and driven calmly..

My point is while there are basic differences between every engine as to it's efficiency, on a well tuned engine, you are the biggest factor in MPG.. Your operating environment will be second. The differences between an M8 and Twin Cam engine will be down on the list a bit...


I currently own four Twin Cam bikes. Two early 88" TC engines, and two 103"HO engines. I also used to own a 2012 bike with the base 103". I love my Twin Cam bikes..

My bikes are all modded. I have two Stage I, one big bore kit w/headwork, and a bagger wiih a high HP 124" crate engine. When taking a multi-day trip on the bagger, just cruising with a few friends, I have regularly gotten 44mpg. Around town and "playing" with the throttle, I have gotten as low as 34mpg. That is a 10mpg swing solely based on my driving habits...

IMHO... The M8 would be a good choice, as long as you have the newer oil pump (year 2020+) and the primary case vent. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with a well maintained Twin Cam engine... When buying a used bike, the condition, care, & maintenance it received is far more important than the M8 v Twin Cam engine platform. You could end up with an absolute gem, or a money pit with either platform...

I currently ride and enjoy all four of my Twin Cam bikes, and I have no plans or feel the need to own an M8...

Good luck with your search and your purchase decisions...

 

I currently have a 2012 and 2013 103ci TC bikes and have no problems. I also like the look of the TC cam cover.

 

Hello @hattitude ,

Thank you for this amazing answer to my question.

The truth is that the engines of my previous HD (TC 88, and TC 96) have worked well, what always failed me were other parts, I understand what you mean, since there will always be parts that will cause their small failures. I am a fairly calm driver. Here in Spain the speed limit is 120Kms/hour or what is the same 74.6 miles/hour and also the roads and highways are full of radars with cameras, so it is difficult to travel at higher speeds, but equally, With a cruiser bike I have never felt the need to go over 80 miles/hour.

Congratulations on the incredible collection of Harleys you have and thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question so extensively.

All the best.

rideoner

 

I'm not on the forum so much these days but this discussion appealed.
I have a 2010 Softail Standard 96 CI which I absolutely love after having a heavy bagger.
Have been tempted to upgrade to one of the M8 engine models thinking more power, improved design, less problems, etc.
I don't put the motor under a lot of pressure but do big miles annually on my Great Southern Spring Run down the East Coast of Australia visiting family and mates and return (roughly 3.000 miles)!

My mechanic, who I've had for a some years now, said to me not long ago - "Jack, don't think your twin cam is outdated or is a lesser motor than the M8 - yes it is an upgrade, yes it has some improvements but it also has its own challenges."

Your insights have confirmed what he told me and I feel more relaxed in sticking with it.
I've done 70,000ks on it (over 42,000 miles) (roughly) and its never missed a beat My mechanic says will probably need a good overhaul about 80,00ks and I'll discuss any upgrades he suggests at the time.
Thanks for your insights based on your experience

 

Get some hearing aids. M8 sounds more like Harley than a TC.
2013 good year for TC Softail is a great bike if it fits how you ride.

 

I have a 2013 FLS Slim. One thing I wish it had was real electronic cruise control,
not just a throttle lock. If electronic cruise control is desireable, you should look
at the 2016-2017 models since they are throttle-by-wire and HD cruise control
can be easily added.

good luck,

T.

 

Harley is getting further and further away from what once made them great. The M8 is no exception. The newest version of the FLSTC for instance, bastardized what was once one of their iconic, timeless bikes imo.
I'll rebuild my 2013 over and over if necessary before ever buying what is now becoming just another motorcycle and an overpriced one at that.
The M8 STILL has junk lifters, an oil pump that sumps, and issues a twin cam never had. Plastic intakes that crack. Tranny fluid migrating to the primary. hydraulic clutches that must be upgraded or retrofitted with cable clutches to be worth a ****. And now, the Delphi ECM has been replaced! You can just guess why and what's coming with that! Only a fool would think it's anything good!
The only conceivable benefit is a warranty that quite frankly isn't worth squat anyway.
Now by listening to most m8 owners(a different breed altogether), it's the greatest thing since the invention of electricity that defies the lawsuit physics! My favorite...the M8 likes exhaust with back pressure!
The M8 sounds more like a Harley? Seriously? Haha! Now that's funny ****!
The newer the engine, the more EPA compliant garbage there is to deal with and "undo".
The latest VVT is a joke and a necessity to be EPA compliant that must be "undone" to even use performance cams.
Now putting the 4 valve m8 heads on a Twin Cam would rock but other than that, buy what makes you happy. There is no advantage to an m8 whatsoever except in the minds of the fanboys that own them.
I personally know 2 people that sold theirs, at a loss I might add, and gone BACK to twin cams. One that went back to an evo!

To be fair, it's not entirely HD's fault. It's the world we live in today thanks to all "the sky is falling and we are all doomed to global warming and imminent disaster if we don't do away with the ICE" fanatics. All one needs to do is look at the financial disaster called the livewire to see the direction the new CEO is taking HD. NO THANKS!
I like the smell of my decatted exhaust. TYVM

 

Mate, I agree with you. I own 2010 Softail standard and investigated aftermarket electronic control a couple of years ago and I think the cost was something like a couple of thousand so stuck with my fifty dollars physical lock for the long miles. it does the job.