Reliability Concerns....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,046
Likes: 314
From: Denver CO
There is not a whole lot out there that can be called "Unreliable". ON buying used, you need to find the one that was kept up with regular oil changes, and servicing. The last 2 bikes I got, I got the ESP. On the V-Rod it paid for itself. On my Road Glide, it's been reliable at 26,000 miles so far.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,159
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
time to think about another scooter. Biggest concern is reliability. Having read the M8 forum here and other sites, the M8s seem to have their share of issues. Honestly its a concern and granted not every scooter with an M8 will have a problem but its a concern.
Prior to the new switch say up thru 2016 what are the most reliable years? There are a ton of late model bikes on the market and I want to keep an open mind before writing a big check.
Prior to the new switch say up thru 2016 what are the most reliable years? There are a ton of late model bikes on the market and I want to keep an open mind before writing a big check.
I wanted to trade my '12 Limited for an M8 limited....
I followed the M8 rumors, through debut, through two model years now... I've been reading anything & everything... very impressed and wanted one badly...
However, while waiting to make the switch Spring '18, I grew concerned about the trans oil transfer and sumping issues... While they are certainly not affecting a large number of bikes (as far as we know), I find it very disconcerting that the MoCo either won't or can't reliably fix the problems when they arise... It would truly suck to be one of the customers affected... I don't want the M8 bad enough to gamble $25K that I won't be affected...
Just last month I traded my '12 and bought a '16 Ultra Classic from a dealer... I got an incredible deal on both ends (trade & purchase price).
I am familiar with the Twin Cams (I now own 3) and can do all my own work.
The 2016, being the last of the twin cams, will have all the upgrades available to that engine series (HO 103, better cam tensioners, better compensator, etc). I was also surprised at many of the bonuses/upgrades that the Rushmore bikes ('14-'16) have over their predecessors.
If I compare what I wanted to buy/do to an M8 v what I bought in a '16 Twin Cam I am way ahead on Money spent. After budgeting for mods I want to do: suspension, personal touches, seat, and bars, I now have $12K to make any engine mods I want, before reaching the amount of money I would have spent on the new M8...
I am totally pleased with my decision..
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 380
From: Florida
Thanks Kermie. Hat sounds like a smart money move. I guess an option is an extended warranty for insurance and piece of mind. Leaning heavily towards used bike. Hard to believe what can be had for cheap money. Savings are great.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
While it is true Harleys have had their problems, in many cases they will have been fixed, often during the bike's warranty period. If the bike you buy has a warranty that takes away much of any such anxiety. In addition, reading a website like HDF gives a concentrated image of the Harley World, which many owners do not visit, so the silent majority are out there not knowing they should be worried....
Don't let the internet rumour machine give you nightmares!
Don't let the internet rumour machine give you nightmares!
Last edited by grbrown; Mar 5, 2018 at 03:22 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
If I didn't love my 2016 so much, I wouldn't hesitate to jump up to an M8. That said, Kermie is right - there's not a whole lot out there that could honestly be called "unreliable" any more.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 1,075
From: Utah
I just made a similar decision... kind of...
I wanted to trade my '12 Limited for an M8 limited....
I followed the M8 rumors, through debut, through two model years now... I've been reading anything & everything... very impressed and wanted one badly...
However, while waiting to make the switch Spring '18, I grew concerned about the trans oil transfer and sumping issues... While they are certainly not affecting a large number of bikes (as far as we know), I find it very disconcerting that the MoCo either won't or can't reliably fix the problems when they arise... It would truly suck to be one of the customers affected... I don't want the M8 bad enough to gamble $25K that I won't be affected...
Just last month I traded my '12 and bought a '16 Ultra Classic from a dealer... I got an incredible deal on both ends (trade & purchase price).
I am familiar with the Twin Cams (I now own 3) and can do all my own work.
The 2016, being the last of the twin cams, will have all the upgrades available to that engine series (HO 103, better cam tensioners, better compensator, etc). I was also surprised at many of the bonuses/upgrades that the Rushmore bikes ('14-'16) have over their predecessors.
If I compare what I wanted to buy/do to an M8 v what I bought in a '16 Twin Cam I am way ahead on Money spent. After budgeting for mods I want to do: suspension, personal touches, seat, and bars, I now have $12K to make any engine mods I want, before reaching the amount of money I would have spent on the new M8...
I am totally pleased with my decision..
I wanted to trade my '12 Limited for an M8 limited....
I followed the M8 rumors, through debut, through two model years now... I've been reading anything & everything... very impressed and wanted one badly...
However, while waiting to make the switch Spring '18, I grew concerned about the trans oil transfer and sumping issues... While they are certainly not affecting a large number of bikes (as far as we know), I find it very disconcerting that the MoCo either won't or can't reliably fix the problems when they arise... It would truly suck to be one of the customers affected... I don't want the M8 bad enough to gamble $25K that I won't be affected...
Just last month I traded my '12 and bought a '16 Ultra Classic from a dealer... I got an incredible deal on both ends (trade & purchase price).
I am familiar with the Twin Cams (I now own 3) and can do all my own work.
The 2016, being the last of the twin cams, will have all the upgrades available to that engine series (HO 103, better cam tensioners, better compensator, etc). I was also surprised at many of the bonuses/upgrades that the Rushmore bikes ('14-'16) have over their predecessors.
If I compare what I wanted to buy/do to an M8 v what I bought in a '16 Twin Cam I am way ahead on Money spent. After budgeting for mods I want to do: suspension, personal touches, seat, and bars, I now have $12K to make any engine mods I want, before reaching the amount of money I would have spent on the new M8...
I am totally pleased with my decision..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 690
From: Smalltown,USA
Remember the 14.16 models have a transfer issue as well. They have a fix for those years.
my 16 had a problem and they said they fixed it. All I can advise is pull your derby cover before the drain plug. As for reliable since 1973 I have been stranded once,and that was a double flat going to Sturgis. I bought a 2018 and love the 117 motor.Best stock running bike I have ever bought .For piece of mind I bought a seven year warranty with tire and wheel,the Sturgis mess cost me $950.00 and a nasty sunburn waiting for a tow.
my 16 had a problem and they said they fixed it. All I can advise is pull your derby cover before the drain plug. As for reliable since 1973 I have been stranded once,and that was a double flat going to Sturgis. I bought a 2018 and love the 117 motor.Best stock running bike I have ever bought .For piece of mind I bought a seven year warranty with tire and wheel,the Sturgis mess cost me $950.00 and a nasty sunburn waiting for a tow.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
A question, and some comments...
1) What reliability improvements do rushmore bikes have vs those just prior that have updated tensioner shoes and compensator (2011-2013)? Would other improvements be noticeable if you weren't getting off one and on another, if then? Don't rushmores still benefit from the same suspension, engine, etc upgrades?
2) Warranties are great for relatively simple, straightforward issues where parts can be simply swapped out. In my experience when any sort of real trouble shooting/diagnosis is required a warranty tends to be a real pain in the butt since the manufacturer doesn't want to cover this sort of expense and the dealer doesn't want to get stuck with it, and in these all to common cases it can be much better to simply pay for the repairs and be back on the road rather than have paid extra for something under warranty and deal with finger pointing and excuses.
3) Extended warranties are essentially insurance policies and as such are priced/sold to make money averaged over many purchasers in the larger picture, so the odds are very much against getting one's money's worth--especially with a careful inspection of a vehicle that hasn't just been shined up to hide any faults.
4) I've found buying vehicles direct from private parties who usually will not lie to your face about existing issues is much safer than buying from third parties that can easily shrug and claim ignorance, and that an unvarnished look at a vehicle without the spit and polish detailing performed by dealer gives a much clearer picture on how it's been treated and maintained.
If cost is any consideration I would be looking for a 5-7 year old garage queen with $1-3K+ in upgrades already installed for around half what new or late model bikes sell for. These are fairly common on CL, and really good deals can be had if one can avoid buying in the spring. If cost isn't a factor, then why worry about any of it--as was mentioned earlier, most things are fairly reliable these days and forums are hardly representative of real world experiences. Just my $0.02
1) What reliability improvements do rushmore bikes have vs those just prior that have updated tensioner shoes and compensator (2011-2013)? Would other improvements be noticeable if you weren't getting off one and on another, if then? Don't rushmores still benefit from the same suspension, engine, etc upgrades?
2) Warranties are great for relatively simple, straightforward issues where parts can be simply swapped out. In my experience when any sort of real trouble shooting/diagnosis is required a warranty tends to be a real pain in the butt since the manufacturer doesn't want to cover this sort of expense and the dealer doesn't want to get stuck with it, and in these all to common cases it can be much better to simply pay for the repairs and be back on the road rather than have paid extra for something under warranty and deal with finger pointing and excuses.
3) Extended warranties are essentially insurance policies and as such are priced/sold to make money averaged over many purchasers in the larger picture, so the odds are very much against getting one's money's worth--especially with a careful inspection of a vehicle that hasn't just been shined up to hide any faults.
4) I've found buying vehicles direct from private parties who usually will not lie to your face about existing issues is much safer than buying from third parties that can easily shrug and claim ignorance, and that an unvarnished look at a vehicle without the spit and polish detailing performed by dealer gives a much clearer picture on how it's been treated and maintained.
If cost is any consideration I would be looking for a 5-7 year old garage queen with $1-3K+ in upgrades already installed for around half what new or late model bikes sell for. These are fairly common on CL, and really good deals can be had if one can avoid buying in the spring. If cost isn't a factor, then why worry about any of it--as was mentioned earlier, most things are fairly reliable these days and forums are hardly representative of real world experiences. Just my $0.02
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
A question, and some comments...
1) What reliability improvements do rushmore bikes have vs those just prior that have updated tensioner shoes and compensator (2011-2013)? Would other improvements be noticeable if you weren't getting off one and on another, if then? Don't rushmores still benefit from the same suspension, engine, etc upgrades?
2) Warranties are great for relatively simple, straightforward issues where parts can be simply swapped out. In my experience when any sort of real trouble shooting/diagnosis is required a warranty tends to be a real pain in the butt since the manufacturer doesn't want to cover this sort of expense and the dealer doesn't want to get stuck with it, and in these all to common cases it can be much better to simply pay for the repairs and be back on the road rather than have paid extra for something under warranty and deal with finger pointing and excuses.
3) Extended warranties are essentially insurance policies and as such are priced/sold to make money averaged over many purchasers in the larger picture, so the odds are very much against getting one's money's worth--especially with a careful inspection of a vehicle that hasn't just been shined up to hide any faults.
4) I've found buying vehicles direct from private parties who usually will not lie to your face about existing issues is much safer than buying from third parties that can easily shrug and claim ignorance, and that an unvarnished look at a vehicle without the spit and polish detailing performed by dealer gives a much clearer picture on how it's been treated and maintained.
If cost is any consideration I would be looking for a 5-7 year old garage queen with $1-3K+ in upgrades already installed for around half what new or late model bikes sell for. These are fairly common on CL, and really good deals can be had if one can avoid buying in the spring. If cost isn't a factor, then why worry about any of it--as was mentioned earlier, most things are fairly reliable these days and forums are hardly representative of real world experiences. Just my $0.02
1) What reliability improvements do rushmore bikes have vs those just prior that have updated tensioner shoes and compensator (2011-2013)? Would other improvements be noticeable if you weren't getting off one and on another, if then? Don't rushmores still benefit from the same suspension, engine, etc upgrades?
2) Warranties are great for relatively simple, straightforward issues where parts can be simply swapped out. In my experience when any sort of real trouble shooting/diagnosis is required a warranty tends to be a real pain in the butt since the manufacturer doesn't want to cover this sort of expense and the dealer doesn't want to get stuck with it, and in these all to common cases it can be much better to simply pay for the repairs and be back on the road rather than have paid extra for something under warranty and deal with finger pointing and excuses.
3) Extended warranties are essentially insurance policies and as such are priced/sold to make money averaged over many purchasers in the larger picture, so the odds are very much against getting one's money's worth--especially with a careful inspection of a vehicle that hasn't just been shined up to hide any faults.
4) I've found buying vehicles direct from private parties who usually will not lie to your face about existing issues is much safer than buying from third parties that can easily shrug and claim ignorance, and that an unvarnished look at a vehicle without the spit and polish detailing performed by dealer gives a much clearer picture on how it's been treated and maintained.
If cost is any consideration I would be looking for a 5-7 year old garage queen with $1-3K+ in upgrades already installed for around half what new or late model bikes sell for. These are fairly common on CL, and really good deals can be had if one can avoid buying in the spring. If cost isn't a factor, then why worry about any of it--as was mentioned earlier, most things are fairly reliable these days and forums are hardly representative of real world experiences. Just my $0.02
More improvements (though minor) over the next two years.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 193
From: ohio
Can't speak for the M 8's, but my 14 limited has been great, but only 41,000 on it, with nothing but recalls, and normal service's, There is a thread of a 14 limited, with the odometer at 100,000, pretty cool. No major problems according to the poster, So, i wouldn't worry to much about reliability, on the TC's, and i don't know anything about the M8's, yet
