2016 Twincam Vs 2017 M8 question
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 889
From: Nowhere
Hey folks,
Looking at buying a touring bike (Roadglide or Road King) and have found a 2016 Twincam and a 2017 M8 107... The M8 is a $3,000 more expensive, so my question is - is the 2017 Model year with the M8 worth paying more for over the last year model Twincam? If it was a 2020+ model M8 I would go that way for sure, but they are way above my budget.
Both are stock aside from slip on mufflers, and I plan on doing stage 2 (cams/cam) upgrade whichever way I go.
Thanks for any advice.
Looking at buying a touring bike (Roadglide or Road King) and have found a 2016 Twincam and a 2017 M8 107... The M8 is a $3,000 more expensive, so my question is - is the 2017 Model year with the M8 worth paying more for over the last year model Twincam? If it was a 2020+ model M8 I would go that way for sure, but they are way above my budget.
Both are stock aside from slip on mufflers, and I plan on doing stage 2 (cams/cam) upgrade whichever way I go.
Thanks for any advice.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 92
From: out there
Give us more details about the 2 bikes you're considering. Apples to apples, a RG is going to be more expensive than a RK. Are you comparing a 2016 RG to a 2017 RK and the RK is $3K more? Mileage, condition, mods all make a difference. Tell us more about each bike you're considering and we'll help you spend your money.
Both M8 options are around $3000 more expensive, of course the RG's are more expensive than the RKs because they hold a higher market value. I'm leaning towards the RG simply for it's fairing and ability to handle those 3 -4 hour rides at highway speeds a bit better with me not fighting the wind all day and getting less fatigued. (I'm getting older)...
As I said, both bikes require suspension, seat, handlebars and cam upgrades either way. So that is a chunk of money to be spent on either option.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 249
Likes: 146
From: Chelmsford, MA
Hey RAD1, they are literally apples to apples comparison. In other words There are two RGs on the market one 2016 TC103 and the other M8 107 (2017) as well as two Road Kings - again one 2015 TC103 and the other 2017 M8 107....
Both M8 options are around $3000 more expensive, of course the RG's are more expensive than the RKs because they hold a higher market value. I'm leaning towards the RG simply for it's fairing and ability to handle those 3 -4 hour rides at highway speeds a bit better with me not fighting the wind all day and getting less fatigued. (I'm getting older)...
As I said, both bikes require suspension, seat, handlebars and cam upgrades either way. So that is a chunk of money to be spent on either option.
Both M8 options are around $3000 more expensive, of course the RG's are more expensive than the RKs because they hold a higher market value. I'm leaning towards the RG simply for it's fairing and ability to handle those 3 -4 hour rides at highway speeds a bit better with me not fighting the wind all day and getting less fatigued. (I'm getting older)...
As I said, both bikes require suspension, seat, handlebars and cam upgrades either way. So that is a chunk of money to be spent on either option.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 92
From: out there
I would vote for the M8 Road Glide if you plan to do some long highway runs. Will hold it's value better than the TC. In my neck of the woods, prices are rapidly falling as Winter approaches. A quick look on FB marketplace has a 2017 RG w 4k miles for $17,500 and a 2016 RG w 3.8k miles for $18,000. Seems you can get into an M8 for same money?
Also, I live in Australia so the price difference between the TC and the M8 is still quite substantial.
Plus we have opposite riding seasons, so mine is just starting.... perhaps not the best time to be buying.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 121
From: Central Maine
Not sure how long youve been around Harleys. And this in not an insult. But those that consider the twin cam as the bench mark sound and feel. Werent around for the Panhead, Shovelhead single cam feel and sound. For me. The M8 goes back to what I feel is Harley. First time I sat on a twin cam i almost walked out because it felt like a Jap bike running. It the Classic Springer look made me buy it. Love my 02. Loved my 16. And had an 05, 08 and an 11. But for me. Pound for pound. The M8 is the better of the 2.
I'd be curious to know what it is about the M8 that "goes back to what I feel is Harley." Because it isn't the feeling that I get at all when I hop on MY M8. I'm still hopeful that the exhaust and cam liven up the M8 experience enough to make me fall in love- none of the bikes at the shop with exhausts sound as good as a TC IMO, but my fingers are still crossed. As it stands right now I was replying to the question asked, and that answer is based on the fact that every time I get on my Twin Cam it makes me feel something that my M8 doesn't, and I certainly wouldn't pay $3000 more for that M8 sterility.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,087
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Originally Posted by Adam76
I'm leaning towards the RG simply for it's fairing and ability to handle those 3 -4 hour rides at highway speeds a bit better with me not fighting the wind all day and getting less fatigued. (I'm getting older)...
One can also get a detachable fairing on the RK or remove the windshield for a bit of versatility.
But either bike with the TW or M8, still a good choice.
Last edited by RKZen; Nov 7, 2022 at 08:03 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 1,528
From: Bunola pa
I haven't been around that long. I bought my first Harley in 2006 (or was it 2007?), I know there are people here who have owned them far longer than my 16 years. And I wasn't saying the Twin Cam is the benchmark at all, that was the conclusion you drew based on my comment, but my reply was in response to the "Twin Cam or spend $3000 more for M8" question that the OP posed- I'd argue that nothing sounds better than a carbureted Harley that is idled low enough that oil starvation is an issue. But that wasn't the question asked.
I'd be curious to know what it is about the M8 that "goes back to what I feel is Harley." Because it isn't the feeling that I get at all when I hop on MY M8. I'm still hopeful that the exhaust and cam liven up the M8 experience enough to make me fall in love- none of the bikes at the shop with exhausts sound as good as a TC IMO, but my fingers are still crossed. As it stands right now I was replying to the question asked, and that answer is based on the fact that every time I get on my Twin Cam it makes me feel something that my M8 doesn't, and I certainly wouldn't pay $3000 more for that M8 sterility.
I'd be curious to know what it is about the M8 that "goes back to what I feel is Harley." Because it isn't the feeling that I get at all when I hop on MY M8. I'm still hopeful that the exhaust and cam liven up the M8 experience enough to make me fall in love- none of the bikes at the shop with exhausts sound as good as a TC IMO, but my fingers are still crossed. As it stands right now I was replying to the question asked, and that answer is based on the fact that every time I get on my Twin Cam it makes me feel something that my M8 doesn't, and I certainly wouldn't pay $3000 more for that M8 sterility.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 121
From: Central Maine
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: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 314
From: Ohio
As a ride perspective the TC is torquier off line than the M8. But the M8 is smooth as butter. I love that bike. I test rode a SGS but was told to keep it under 3k rpm so I couldnt really blast it during the ride. In that short time I preferred the initial torque on the TC over the M8, but the ride quality is way better on an M8.
Keep in mind the SGS has lower shocks, lower profile tire compared to my 2015 Road King with Fox front cartridges and Bitubo rear shocks. I was able to swap
Over my hammock seat to do a direct comparison. I couldnt imagine how more plush it would ride if it had standard suspension and higher profile tires. But then again mine has 50k miles vs 12 miles
Keep in mind the SGS has lower shocks, lower profile tire compared to my 2015 Road King with Fox front cartridges and Bitubo rear shocks. I was able to swap
Over my hammock seat to do a direct comparison. I couldnt imagine how more plush it would ride if it had standard suspension and higher profile tires. But then again mine has 50k miles vs 12 miles
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 314
From: Ohio
so was the softail does that feel metric?