When is it safe to make the jump?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 239
From: northeast
they offered me a 17 flhx for 18897 plus fees, tax and tags or $21689 out the door
after researching I said NO I want the 16.. so after searching around I found one dealer really willing to haggle 100 miles from me and paid $19000 for a 16 special or 21700 out the door... for that price they included free delivery to my house, installed docking hardware and a jiffy stand extension
with that said, of course the 17' has a warranty but who the hell wants their brand new bike in the shop for an extended period, personally I would wait but I think only 1 year is necessary and believe any bugs will be completely worked out by then as that will give the touring riders time to put REAL WORLD MILES on the new power plant and finish finding the bugs that Harley missed before going to production
after researching I said NO I want the 16.. so after searching around I found one dealer really willing to haggle 100 miles from me and paid $19000 for a 16 special or 21700 out the door... for that price they included free delivery to my house, installed docking hardware and a jiffy stand extension
with that said, of course the 17' has a warranty but who the hell wants their brand new bike in the shop for an extended period, personally I would wait but I think only 1 year is necessary and believe any bugs will be completely worked out by then as that will give the touring riders time to put REAL WORLD MILES on the new power plant and finish finding the bugs that Harley missed before going to production
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 22
From: Panama City, FL
My 2 cents ....... 1. Supposedly the MOCO has never tested a motor as long as they tested the M8. They claim is it has been in the works for 10 years! 2. Normally I would still wait a year or so, but when one hits 70 years old you never know if there will be a "next year", so I bought my Limited in September as soon as they hit my dealer floor and I'm loving every single mile of it!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
My 2 cents ....... 1. Supposedly the MOCO has never tested a motor as long as they tested the M8. They claim is it has been in the works for 10 years! 2. Normally I would still wait a year or so, but when one hits 70 years old you never know if there will be a "next year", so I bought my Limited in September as soon as they hit my dealer floor and I'm loving every single mile of it!
I am considering making the jump from my current twin cam, 2013 UC, to the new M8 Ultra Limited. From what I hear the new engine is fantastic. I do however agree with many of you who have said to never buy the first year of any major design introduction. I have read the many posts where there have been oil pressure issues with the new M8. With that in mind, when do you think it will be safe to assume the bugs have been worked out? I'm leaning toward waiting for the 2018 model but wonder if I should wait even longer.
I'm just curious what others think.
I'm just curious what others think.
That new motor works, its not that complicated , Harley track record is not what some of the poster claim it to be , no amount of one off, it worked ,or didn't work for me, is statically relevant. Odds are hugely in your favor of buying a trouble free bike RIGHT NOW. It may not make $$ financial sense and tomorrow there may be a used one for half the price maybe , but you aren't gonna get stranded in Nowheresville because you bought first year bike .... the numbers simply do not support worrying about that kind of stuff.
Danger is everywhere on a motorcycle don't worry about mechanical failure on a 20g bike worry about the 17 year old gal on the cell phone in the left lane.
Mazz
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Well said, Mazz.
Makes you wonder what would happen if EVERYONE avoided buying new products till the "bugs" are worked out.
I bought the 14 Limited- 1st year. Scary twin cooling, and everything.
Couple of recalls, nothing that impacted the operation of the bike.
Bike is of very high quality and runs like a champ. Not afraid of taking anywhere.
If I was in the market for a new bike, I'd grab a '17 without a thought.
Makes you wonder what would happen if EVERYONE avoided buying new products till the "bugs" are worked out.
I bought the 14 Limited- 1st year. Scary twin cooling, and everything.
Couple of recalls, nothing that impacted the operation of the bike.
Bike is of very high quality and runs like a champ. Not afraid of taking anywhere.
If I was in the market for a new bike, I'd grab a '17 without a thought.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 314
From: Ohio
Up in Canada my friend is driving down today to buy a new SGS. Coming close to the end of the year when things are slow at the dealer, the salesman who is a friend of a friend is giving 4K off MSRP, so my thoughts are there are deals out there on '17 models. The deal he's getting is just a titch more than a used '16 SGS they just got in. So it's a no brainer, and yes he's hoping for a good bike with no beta issues.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 715
Likes: 114
From: Texas Hill Country
I bought one, hell if it don't work out trade up/down side ways, its not like you hafta keep it.
I might buy an 18 if the rumored frame is true and its what I want, life too short to deprive yourself .
Best/joe
I might buy an 18 if the rumored frame is true and its what I want, life too short to deprive yourself .
Best/joe
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I got a 17 RGS two weeks after they came out. Currently it is at 5,800 trouble free miles.
Most 17's like my experience did not have troubles. A few had the oil pumps that were not cleaned after manufacturing and the valve got stuck on them. I think that was just a single lot of them for the twin cooled engine.
The other issue was an oil lead in the oil cooled versions at the rear oil return feed from the head to the crankcase. That simply was the type of crimped clamp on the connection at the head. A simple ss hose clamp solved that.
Every one was fixed promptly. They are not ongoing issues.
There are many factors in a buying decision. All of them are opinions and none of them are wrong. Jump right in or wait. It is okay either way.
Most 17's like my experience did not have troubles. A few had the oil pumps that were not cleaned after manufacturing and the valve got stuck on them. I think that was just a single lot of them for the twin cooled engine.
The other issue was an oil lead in the oil cooled versions at the rear oil return feed from the head to the crankcase. That simply was the type of crimped clamp on the connection at the head. A simple ss hose clamp solved that.
Every one was fixed promptly. They are not ongoing issues.
There are many factors in a buying decision. All of them are opinions and none of them are wrong. Jump right in or wait. It is okay either way.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
I don't think they'd like me to disclose which dealer they are as they can sell these bikes anytime for full price come springtime. It is a friend to friend type deal, but believe me at close to five grand off they are still able to make money on itself did not say how much but they are. They swallowed the very high documentation fee and PDI also!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 314
From: Ohio
I don't think they'd like me to disclose which dealer they are as they can sell these bikes anytime for full price come springtime. It is a friend to friend type deal, but believe me at close to five grand off they are still able to make money on itself did not say how much but they are. They swallowed the very high documentation fee and PDI also!
