Wondering if it’s time for a change
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
The only thing listed that is a Harley fault is the shorted switch. And if it really was that bad a storm, blaming Harley is kind of a stretch. But, an oem switch did get wet.
The rest is aftermarket parts and neglect.
So actually, I’d say your bike is doing quite well.
Indians are nice bikes. If you want one, and this gives you the excuse you want, go for it.
The rest is aftermarket parts and neglect.
So actually, I’d say your bike is doing quite well.
Indians are nice bikes. If you want one, and this gives you the excuse you want, go for it.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
2. M8 are easy to get rid of that “Jetson” sound. Mufflers, A/C and a nice aftermarket cam and tune. ENDLESS videos with sound clips on them.
A very, very mild cam and tune will net you north of 100 HP and 120 TQ. And that’s pretty conservative.
Regarding the clutch…did you have it flushed properly at 2 years? You didn’t change it after it overheated, that’s mistake number one.
A very, very mild cam and tune will net you north of 100 HP and 120 TQ. And that’s pretty conservative.
Regarding the clutch…did you have it flushed properly at 2 years? You didn’t change it after it overheated, that’s mistake number one.
The beauty with staying with HD is that most of my creature comfort and cosmetic items will be able to move over to a new one.
thanks for the info.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
Steelerdude, take your bike to the dealer and get that clutch issue fixed or you're going to have the issue again. I had the same clutch problem on my 2015 Ultra Classic. After it happened the 3rd time, I took it in. Dealer had to do something with the actuator and some other things too, like flushing to get it fixed. That has been a common issue on the 2015 models, as I have noticed here. Mine was covered under warranty and I haven't had any problems since then.
But, I understand your frustration. It's the " What and When is something else going to leave me on the side of the road? " question that's always in the back of your mind. I think you'd be better off with a newer model that DOESN'T have a hydraulic clutch! There's a reason Harley went back to cable clutches. LOL! They have the early M8 issues fixed now. And as far as "sound", I wouldn't let that keep me from buying an M8 that has all the old issues fixed. Plus, it has more power than your 2015 model, and with what you're pulling behind you, that extra power would be nice.
But, I understand your frustration. It's the " What and When is something else going to leave me on the side of the road? " question that's always in the back of your mind. I think you'd be better off with a newer model that DOESN'T have a hydraulic clutch! There's a reason Harley went back to cable clutches. LOL! They have the early M8 issues fixed now. And as far as "sound", I wouldn't let that keep me from buying an M8 that has all the old issues fixed. Plus, it has more power than your 2015 model, and with what you're pulling behind you, that extra power would be nice.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,618
Likes: 290
From: Johnstown, PA
Thanks Gov5!
someone understands
After the second round with the clutch Issue, I did change out the hydraulic fluid in the clutch. After the first time, I called a dealer in VA (where we were at when it happened) and they said not to worry about it, abs did recommend changing it when we got home. - my bad, I never did it, outta site/outta mind, especially when life is so busy.
hasn’t caused me any issues since. If I end up keeping it, I should have it checked at a dealership. It’s hard around my parts, all the dealers are short handed, and there is a 5-6 week waiting list to get service. Hell, when I replaced my front tire, the local told me if I bring my wheel in they would change the tire when they had time, estimated 2-weeks.
Ended up finding a place over an hour away that would mount and balance for me.
if I decide to trade, finding a bike available will be another task, not many bike in stock in my neck of the woods.
someone understands
After the second round with the clutch Issue, I did change out the hydraulic fluid in the clutch. After the first time, I called a dealer in VA (where we were at when it happened) and they said not to worry about it, abs did recommend changing it when we got home. - my bad, I never did it, outta site/outta mind, especially when life is so busy.
hasn’t caused me any issues since. If I end up keeping it, I should have it checked at a dealership. It’s hard around my parts, all the dealers are short handed, and there is a 5-6 week waiting list to get service. Hell, when I replaced my front tire, the local told me if I bring my wheel in they would change the tire when they had time, estimated 2-weeks.
Ended up finding a place over an hour away that would mount and balance for me.
if I decide to trade, finding a bike available will be another task, not many bike in stock in my neck of the woods.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 310
From: coastal sc
A buddy and I rode indian cheifatan in daytona 2 years ago. I thought I was on a honda. It was quite peppy, but did not ride as good as my 2000 ultra. We both agreed we would not trade our old harleys for the new indian. except to sell it and buy another old harley. I am interested in riding the m8 to see how it compares to the indian. Go Steelers.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 909
From: SE Michigan
From my understanding, unless you get all HD parts install prior to purchase by the dealer, (stage 2 kit) it voids the factory warranty. Am I incorrect with this info? The stage 2 adds quite a bit of price to a bike that is already pricy.
The beauty with staying with HD is that most of my creature comfort and cosmetic items will be able to move over to a new one.
thanks for the info.
The beauty with staying with HD is that most of my creature comfort and cosmetic items will be able to move over to a new one.
thanks for the info.
I don’t know how the SE cams sound with SE or aftermarket mufflers…but anything is gotta be better than stock.
If you’re worried about warranty, correct. SE HD parts only…
it’s going to be winter soon…. Many dealers offer discounts and packages to keep their service team busy in the winter up here in the north.
May hit a special…or tell them to call you when they’re ready to deal as bikes tend to sit on the dealer floor a little longer when the snow flies.
I realize in today’s world, there simply isn’t as many bikes on the floor..so take that for what it’s worth
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
[QUOTE=steelerdude1;20236160]Thanks Gov5!
someone understands
OH, trust me, I DO understand. The clutch has heated up, you can't change gears, and you're sitting in traffic at a red light, and you can't move. You have NO clutch at all. The bike has stalled out because you can't disengage the clutch, and you are "dead in the water". Forgive me for saying this, you folks that say this is a "minor" issue, but you obviously have never had this problem. IT ISN'T a MINOR ISSUE!! You can't ride your bike, and you call it a minor issue? What the hell then s a MAJOR issue?
Steelerdude, I have had a shifter shaft strip and leave me having to ride home from a parking lot in 4th gear, in town with lights and traffic on TWO ultra Classics. Now on a 3rd Ultra Classic, I lose my clutch and can't shift gears. I'm sorry, but those aren't"minor" issues. And it makes it harder to enjoy your rides when it's always in the back of your mind if it's going to happen again. So YES, I get it. Personally, I think we as a collective consumer group have let Harley get away with design issues for way too long. And when they have been forced to finally admit it, they have come up with "patches" or "workarounds". I think the M8s have finally gotten squared away. They seem to be pretty bulletproof now. The PanAm is starting out with issues too, but it seems that Harley is responding quickly, so I'll give them a big "attaboy" for their response.
However, I do wonder why these issues never came up in the testing phases. Do these riders just ride around a track somewhere and call that "testing"? Or do you lose your "testing" job as a rider if you bring up too many potential "issues" during your rides? HUMMM?
someone understands
OH, trust me, I DO understand. The clutch has heated up, you can't change gears, and you're sitting in traffic at a red light, and you can't move. You have NO clutch at all. The bike has stalled out because you can't disengage the clutch, and you are "dead in the water". Forgive me for saying this, you folks that say this is a "minor" issue, but you obviously have never had this problem. IT ISN'T a MINOR ISSUE!! You can't ride your bike, and you call it a minor issue? What the hell then s a MAJOR issue?
Steelerdude, I have had a shifter shaft strip and leave me having to ride home from a parking lot in 4th gear, in town with lights and traffic on TWO ultra Classics. Now on a 3rd Ultra Classic, I lose my clutch and can't shift gears. I'm sorry, but those aren't"minor" issues. And it makes it harder to enjoy your rides when it's always in the back of your mind if it's going to happen again. So YES, I get it. Personally, I think we as a collective consumer group have let Harley get away with design issues for way too long. And when they have been forced to finally admit it, they have come up with "patches" or "workarounds". I think the M8s have finally gotten squared away. They seem to be pretty bulletproof now. The PanAm is starting out with issues too, but it seems that Harley is responding quickly, so I'll give them a big "attaboy" for their response.
However, I do wonder why these issues never came up in the testing phases. Do these riders just ride around a track somewhere and call that "testing"? Or do you lose your "testing" job as a rider if you bring up too many potential "issues" during your rides? HUMMM?
Complaining about issues on a bike that hasn't been maintained is pointless. Hygroscopic hydraulic fluid has to be changed. Maintenance is part of ownership. Admitting you knew it needed to be done, being TOLD it needed to be done and still neglecting to do it is not on the MOCO. As for the hydraulic clutch being replaced with cable, that is on the MOCO. How many modern motorcycles use a cable clutch? Hydraulically actuated clutches are not a new technology but it was cheaper for the MOCO to step back in time instead of fixing engineering shortcomings. Shame on them.
A Shifter shaft stripping doesn't just 'happen' either. The bike wasn't being checked over and maintained correctly.
Good luck with Indian if you go that direction, OP. Their forums are just as full of people complaining that their lack of attention caused them headaches.
A Shifter shaft stripping doesn't just 'happen' either. The bike wasn't being checked over and maintained correctly.
Good luck with Indian if you go that direction, OP. Their forums are just as full of people complaining that their lack of attention caused them headaches.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,762
From: Omaha,NE
I'm not sure how you can blame the bike when it seems all your exhaust problems were aftermarket parts failing. As for the clutch fluid, If it isn't changed every 2 years as per the schedule, it's susceptible to boiling due to high moisture content. However...the only heat that could get introduced into the clutch fluid would be at the transmission or the lines. I have never heard of this.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 279
Likes: 315
From: Southern Vancouver Island
Go for another test ride on a brand new touring model M8. My 2018 Ultra does not have any annoying whining sound at all and is mechanically very quiet compared to my previous sewing machine sounding twin cam. The rigid mounted M8s in the soft tail models however is a different story. What I do notice is the smooth torquey power that puts a smile on my face every time I jump on the throttle.
I've always had good luck with my Harley Davidsons but that being said, they are still a fairly complex mechanical machine and like any machine out there, I know and accept that parts will on occasion fail whether it be a Harley, a Honda or a Vespa.
The new Indian motorcycles look nice and maybe you should buy one. Never hurts to try something new if you are unhappy with your Harley. Let us know how that Indian works out for you after 60,000 miles.
I've always had good luck with my Harley Davidsons but that being said, they are still a fairly complex mechanical machine and like any machine out there, I know and accept that parts will on occasion fail whether it be a Harley, a Honda or a Vespa.
The new Indian motorcycles look nice and maybe you should buy one. Never hurts to try something new if you are unhappy with your Harley. Let us know how that Indian works out for you after 60,000 miles.