So whats the verdict theve the new softail versions and the new motor have been out long enough now for people to make there minds up , are these sump issues sorted , do the  new  softail ride better  , perform better , whats the verdict , Personaly i take what the salesman says with a pinch of salt , the best brand and the best model all depends on what there selling at the time , what do the owners think , myself i've not rode one , i'm happy with my 2016 low rider , but have kept dabbling with the idea of going back to a tourer , not ready yet, but can't help but think if there having sump oil problems  36-38 grand is a lot to spend .

Speaking to a guy yesterday  who sold his superglide and bought a  new fatbob i think he said , and he regrets it , reckons the bikes ok but  feels he bought an expensive jap bike , his words were , its lost its soul .. Thoughts

A mate with a lot of miles under him on Harley's Got one, he said they have a really good Torque delivery, much better than the twin cam's. & I notice when twin cam first came out and I road one, they had a good torque delivery. Jap bikes don't have low down torque they get it up high.

they look like they would handle ok. but so many models so could not say if they all handle better. go for a long test ride.

Test ride Fatboy and Breakout put me off.

1, they have no soul as you put it, may as well ride a BMW GS. While the engine feels (pulls) strongly, I hate rigid mount balanced engines, so yeah, I don’t like the old TC Softails either. While writing this I had a thought to check the gear ratios in the new bikes, are they really quicker or just feel that way cause they’re geared a tad lower.

2, Handling, the new Fatboy’s a pig round corners (and I thought the Breakout was bad) and I live in the Adelaide Hills. The dealer said running 41+ psi helps, I think Paulybronco tried that with his loaner and found it introduced other issues.

3, I also like the tourers but you still can’t add forward controls, just a comfort thing for me. Indians are the same, if I could get forwards on a Chief Vintage, there’d be one in the garage. 

In the end, it’s a personal choice but for me the verdict was negative.

Plus they fucken ugly... cept for maybe the tourers.

The more I read on here the worse they get anyway lol 

Engine great but if that was a big metric I’d be on a BMW or Trumpet, right. Yeah I get everything works better than my 103 Fat Bob but not enough to justify buying a new one in my books. I will just keep improving what I have and be happy with that.

Me personally would not swap my bikes for any other harley or any model bike in the world regardless of $$$... I have gotten them all exactly how I want them, and would enjoy nothing as much as I do them..... it’s not about money or better this better that, it’s a hell of a lot more then that.

Hard to find the words but some here would understand unfortunately probably a lot here that wouldn’t 

I didn't much like the twin cam

I've had an M8 bagger for a while now and it's a great bike,there is a nice bit of noticeable torque in the stock motor..it handles well..you could say we have grown into each other...

There's been none of the issues that are supposed to go on with the M8....I can't see in foreseeable  future a new bike on the horizon,the bike is that good..

My Street Glide has 'stage 2' (exhaust, air filter and HD torque cam) and my Switchback 103 had 'stage 2' (exhaust, air filter and HD power cam), despite being a fair bit heavier the Street Glide is definitely faster not only off the mark but it keeps accelerating longer and harder.  It's also cooler running and vibrates less which is good for long touring trips.

And I don't miss being stuck in a traffic jam with the twin cam roasting my thighs and I don't miss riding for 12 hours and getting off with my hands numb, tingling or in pain (I've got arthritis so that's probably not a concern for most).

But... and it's a big but... the 103 felt and sounded nicer, the 107 motor well it still feels like a Harley, sort of... but not as much and not as often.  I don't regret the change, not in a tourer (where low vibes and cool running are important) but I'm not convinced that I'd want it in an around town bike.  For that I think I'd rather buy a 1200 sporty while I can still get one.

I can not afford new M8, would love one,  but enjoy honest opinions. Thank you.  

not said ridden a M8, as I have not,  just that, would love too, but don"t jump on something ya can"t afford , is me.

I would like Newer HD and as Magistrate PB has summed things up pretty well re M8 . "Run rings around our 2012 Road Things."

Canno afford, to update or  even backdate is expensive, "Here I am Stuck in the Middle".. After 43 years on the road, am with latest new ride HD  2012. 

Except for the TT600 bought a coupla weeks ago, pissed, then realised is 1100 kms away. Bloody grog, will do silly things, lucky did not buy the new M8 as well.

Like you I thought I’d love a new M8.  In my case a Fatboy. 

The dream went belly up when I rode one, tried an SG and Breakout as well.  

The experience made me very happy with my ol 2009 Dyna.

I'm interested that's all..

I would have picked the SG out of those 3,but I'm probably biased because I own an M8 SGS

Yes, of the 3 the Street Glide Special is the pick for riding pleasure, I could live with the balanced M8 for touring, but as said, no forward controls in HD’s accessory line up so no good for my long legs. 

A young bloke I used to work with has just got himself a 2018 114 breakout,it's his first harley,he is in lust with it at the moment but it will be interesting to see what he is thinking in around a year.

The SGS is a good bike,I consider I'm about the middle of the road rider,nothing flash,lately when I've been washing the bike I'm finding metal missing,ground away...I don't remember it happening but the proof is there....

The new lowrider with the 18 litre tank looks ok,I like the bike the best out of the new softails..I would like a test ride on that.the monoshock is what I want to feel,although Triumph has run bikes with mono shock rears for a while now and seem to be alright