08 Owners - How about some feedback
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, NH
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
ORIGINAL: rmsurveyors
Just got my 2008 Heritage, yesterdayand to say I'mvery disappointed,is an under statement. 130 Miles on it and already back to the shopfor aterrible knocking noise (similar to rod knocking noise) and is coming from what sounds to be the primary housing near the compensator. The knock is very metallic and is present in all gears as well as neutral and is magnified with RPM's, with gears loaded or unloaded, makes no difference. The knock resonates thru the frame and gas tank and causes heavypulsating feel in handle bars and foot boards. The heat coming from the engine/tranny isexcruciating, legs are burned already in just a few miles of riding.The 5th. gear chatters andis about the same as the 07model gear chatter, which never was an issue with me. It appears MOCO has made some chassis changes and threw in some eye candy, butthat is about it with the 08's. The bike still makes knocking/clattering noises uncharacteristic of what a bike should sound like, and if you want to tan those legs the 08's will do it for you. And as expected the dealers response, after test riding my bike(with a full helmet)is "I don't hear or feel anything", gee I wonder why? He says the engine noise is amplified thru the windshield and if I take off the windshield then I won't hear the noise. But when I ask him about what the windshield has to do with amplifying the noise when the bike is in neutral and setting still he got a little confused. In other words the 08's are just a continuationof the 07 issues! In my opinionthe noise and heat issues areworse than their predecessors. I think this forum is in for another long thread for the 08 let downs!
Just got my 2008 Heritage, yesterdayand to say I'mvery disappointed,is an under statement. 130 Miles on it and already back to the shopfor aterrible knocking noise (similar to rod knocking noise) and is coming from what sounds to be the primary housing near the compensator. The knock is very metallic and is present in all gears as well as neutral and is magnified with RPM's, with gears loaded or unloaded, makes no difference. The knock resonates thru the frame and gas tank and causes heavypulsating feel in handle bars and foot boards. The heat coming from the engine/tranny isexcruciating, legs are burned already in just a few miles of riding.The 5th. gear chatters andis about the same as the 07model gear chatter, which never was an issue with me. It appears MOCO has made some chassis changes and threw in some eye candy, butthat is about it with the 08's. The bike still makes knocking/clattering noises uncharacteristic of what a bike should sound like, and if you want to tan those legs the 08's will do it for you. And as expected the dealers response, after test riding my bike(with a full helmet)is "I don't hear or feel anything", gee I wonder why? He says the engine noise is amplified thru the windshield and if I take off the windshield then I won't hear the noise. But when I ask him about what the windshield has to do with amplifying the noise when the bike is in neutral and setting still he got a little confused. In other words the 08's are just a continuationof the 07 issues! In my opinionthe noise and heat issues areworse than their predecessors. I think this forum is in for another long thread for the 08 let downs!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, NH
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
ORIGINAL: 211Chuck
The 07's and 08's have the same power plants
IE: Engine,trany,primary
So how an 07 runs so should the 08's
Heck their all Harley's so you already know they will
rattle,clank,whine,vibrate and shake with a little heat
throwen in for good measure
thats what all good
Harley's do!
ORIGINAL: VaRanger
Could some of you 2008 touring owners provide us with some feedback on how your new bike is doing? Some of us potential buyers are wondering about: transmission noise, engine heat, ride comfort with the new IDS, throttle response, gas mileage, other comments, etc.
Thanks for the input!
Could some of you 2008 touring owners provide us with some feedback on how your new bike is doing? Some of us potential buyers are wondering about: transmission noise, engine heat, ride comfort with the new IDS, throttle response, gas mileage, other comments, etc.
Thanks for the input!
The 07's and 08's have the same power plants
IE: Engine,trany,primary
So how an 07 runs so should the 08's
Heck their all Harley's so you already know they will
rattle,clank,whine,vibrate and shake with a little heat
throwen in for good measure
thats what all good Harley's do!
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
I picked up my '08 Ultra last Saturday afternoon and I now have about 200 miles on it. I'll do a stage 1 as soon as the SERT is available but for now I'm running stock pipes so I can hear almost any little noise. First impressions: (Note: coming from a 1998 Heritage EVO).
The bike is very, very, smooth with no vibration except at idle. As soon as you move away from a stop the bike is just smooth.
Some whine in fifth gear but very little. You'll never hear it with good pipes.
Throttle by wire is great, no hesitation at all.
Brembo brakes are just incredible. They stop you very quickly. (Haven't needed the ABS yet).
Bike is hotter then my EVO but I live in Houston and my rides have been in 95 degree weather. Heat is not noticible when you are moving but in very heavy traffic you know it's hot. But not near as bad as some have described. Nowhere close to actually burning me through my jeans.
Radio/CD and cruise control have worked flawlessly.
Rode about 25 miles through a heavy rain and the bike really handled it well. It makes you feel confident. Actually the fairing and the lowers kept me pretty dry. I'll probably pull the lowers this weekend and keep them off for the rest of the summer (through mid November here in Texas).
All in all I'm very pleased with the ride and just wish I didn't have to work so much so I could ride more.
BTW, I bought the bike from Cowboy's in Beaumont, TX, and I was treated great by everybody. MSRP and absolutely no pressure to do anything further.
The bike is very, very, smooth with no vibration except at idle. As soon as you move away from a stop the bike is just smooth.
Some whine in fifth gear but very little. You'll never hear it with good pipes.
Throttle by wire is great, no hesitation at all.
Brembo brakes are just incredible. They stop you very quickly. (Haven't needed the ABS yet).
Bike is hotter then my EVO but I live in Houston and my rides have been in 95 degree weather. Heat is not noticible when you are moving but in very heavy traffic you know it's hot. But not near as bad as some have described. Nowhere close to actually burning me through my jeans.
Radio/CD and cruise control have worked flawlessly.
Rode about 25 miles through a heavy rain and the bike really handled it well. It makes you feel confident. Actually the fairing and the lowers kept me pretty dry. I'll probably pull the lowers this weekend and keep them off for the rest of the summer (through mid November here in Texas).
All in all I'm very pleased with the ride and just wish I didn't have to work so much so I could ride more.
BTW, I bought the bike from Cowboy's in Beaumont, TX, and I was treated great by everybody. MSRP and absolutely no pressure to do anything further.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 1
From: illinois
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
08 ultra here and its been flawless so far. handling is awsome no tranny noise or any other noises at all i traded my 07 rkc and the upgrade was worth it to me. it keeps the smile on my facefor a long time and it was hard for anyone to get the smile off my face with my rkc. with my ultra i have gone to sleep with a smile on my face. its probrably normal but the day i picked her up it took 3 1/2 hrs to get home and i live 15 mins. away!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
I have a 2008 electraglide classic, now with 2700 troublefree miles. I don't think I could be much happier with my ride.
-it handles like a dream
-could notice the heat at first, but seems to be getting less as it gets broken in
- seat is pretty darn comfortable for stock, but you do feel it a little on a 300 mile day
-Brembro brakes stop it like it is a lighter bike, very consistent and powerful. I do get a slight pad squeak out of the rear occasionally
- power and throttle response has increased as it has broken in, it has plenty for me
-no problems at all with the fly-by-wire throttle, you wouldn't know it is not a cable
-very faint noise in 5th gear if you are really looking for something, my previous goldwing and valkyrie were both noisier
-IDS makes the bike smooth, smooth, smooth; no driveline lash whatsoever
-MPG's; 40 on my 1st tank, 45 on my most recent tank
-6 gallon tank is a nice feature
Simply put, I find the bike a joy to ride. If you like a Harley, I can't imagine you wouldn't like a 2008
-it handles like a dream
-could notice the heat at first, but seems to be getting less as it gets broken in
- seat is pretty darn comfortable for stock, but you do feel it a little on a 300 mile day
-Brembro brakes stop it like it is a lighter bike, very consistent and powerful. I do get a slight pad squeak out of the rear occasionally
- power and throttle response has increased as it has broken in, it has plenty for me
-no problems at all with the fly-by-wire throttle, you wouldn't know it is not a cable
-very faint noise in 5th gear if you are really looking for something, my previous goldwing and valkyrie were both noisier
-IDS makes the bike smooth, smooth, smooth; no driveline lash whatsoever
-MPG's; 40 on my 1st tank, 45 on my most recent tank
-6 gallon tank is a nice feature
Simply put, I find the bike a joy to ride. If you like a Harley, I can't imagine you wouldn't like a 2008
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
ORIGINAL: VaRanger
Could some of you 2008 touring owners provide us with some feedback on how your new bike is doing? Some of us potential buyers are wondering about: transmission noise, engine heat, ride comfort with the new IDS, throttle response, gas mileage, other comments, etc.
Thanks for the input!
Could some of you 2008 touring owners provide us with some feedback on how your new bike is doing? Some of us potential buyers are wondering about: transmission noise, engine heat, ride comfort with the new IDS, throttle response, gas mileage, other comments, etc.
Thanks for the input!
The IDS is very smooth. The trans has not changed. The 5th gear whine is normal and it`s still there.
The heat is there but has not been an issue for me. I just installed the DTT setup on my 07 SG and there is a major difference between them. The SG has very little heat output.
The throttle took about 10 miles to get use to, now it feels just like a cable type. The clutch lever has a different leverage so it has an easy pull. The bike is absolutely smooth. It has good power and I can run 6th gear at 60 MPH as long as I`m not pulling a hill or trying to accelerate rapidly. The bike is very nice and I have no regrets about buying an 08.
Very happy with both of my FLH`s...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: North West PA
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
I'm very happy with my 08 Ultra. I've got 1600 miles on the speedo. Other than the heat, and I've added the "mid frameair deflectors" (code for heat shields), it's been an awesome ride. Rides betterthan the 06I traded in and has a lot morepower. Great ride!
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/15EE6CAC12294BE68FF74C191C9D9DC9.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/B951BE90E6BE4EDF99732D7E806F3D54.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/0938DECF5CFD473892C3C07A9D0CB2A6.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/15EE6CAC12294BE68FF74C191C9D9DC9.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/B951BE90E6BE4EDF99732D7E806F3D54.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/14162/0938DECF5CFD473892C3C07A9D0CB2A6.jpg[/IMG]
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
ORIGINAL: Burple_X
Engine is smooth once you move off idle. Idling, it jumps around like a worm in hot ashes. Harley did install another damper on the front cylinder head to help with this in '08. I just can't tell that it helps much.
Engine is smooth once you move off idle. Idling, it jumps around like a worm in hot ashes. Harley did install another damper on the front cylinder head to help with this in '08. I just can't tell that it helps much.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 600
Likes: 16
From: Arizona
RE: 08 Owners - How about some feedback
ORIGINAL: rmsurveyors
Just got my 2008 Heritage, yesterdayand to say I'mvery disappointed,is an under statement. 130 Miles on it and already back to the shopfor aterrible knocking noise (similar to rod knocking noise) and is coming from what sounds to be the primary housing near the compensator. The knock is very metallic and is present in all gears as well as neutral and is magnified with RPM's, with gears loaded or unloaded, makes no difference. The knock resonates thru the frame and gas tank and causes heavypulsating feel in handle bars and foot boards. The heat coming from the engine/tranny isexcruciating, legs are burned already in just a few miles of riding.The 5th. gear chatters andis about the same as the 07model gear chatter, which never was an issue with me. It appears MOCO has made some chassis changes and threw in some eye candy, butthat is about it with the 08's. The bike still makes knocking/clattering noises uncharacteristic of what a bike should sound like, and if you want to tan those legs the 08's will do it for you. And as expected the dealers response, after test riding my bike(with a full helmet)is "I don't hear or feel anything", gee I wonder why? He says the engine noise is amplified thru the windshield and if I take off the windshield then I won't hear the noise. But when I ask him about what the windshield has to do with amplifying the noise when the bike is in neutral and setting still he got a little confused. In other words the 08's are just a continuationof the 07 issues! In my opinionthe noise and heat issues areworse than their predecessors. I think this forum is in for another long thread for the 08 let downs!
Just got my 2008 Heritage, yesterdayand to say I'mvery disappointed,is an under statement. 130 Miles on it and already back to the shopfor aterrible knocking noise (similar to rod knocking noise) and is coming from what sounds to be the primary housing near the compensator. The knock is very metallic and is present in all gears as well as neutral and is magnified with RPM's, with gears loaded or unloaded, makes no difference. The knock resonates thru the frame and gas tank and causes heavypulsating feel in handle bars and foot boards. The heat coming from the engine/tranny isexcruciating, legs are burned already in just a few miles of riding.The 5th. gear chatters andis about the same as the 07model gear chatter, which never was an issue with me. It appears MOCO has made some chassis changes and threw in some eye candy, butthat is about it with the 08's. The bike still makes knocking/clattering noises uncharacteristic of what a bike should sound like, and if you want to tan those legs the 08's will do it for you. And as expected the dealers response, after test riding my bike(with a full helmet)is "I don't hear or feel anything", gee I wonder why? He says the engine noise is amplified thru the windshield and if I take off the windshield then I won't hear the noise. But when I ask him about what the windshield has to do with amplifying the noise when the bike is in neutral and setting still he got a little confused. In other words the 08's are just a continuationof the 07 issues! In my opinionthe noise and heat issues areworse than their predecessors. I think this forum is in for another long thread for the 08 let downs!
I'm sorry if that's harsh, but after all your complaining and name calling it amazes me that you'd buy another Harley. I really wish you hadn't. Please sell both of them and find that Buick dealer.