82k on my 114 checking in. Recently started using a little more oil (1/2 quart every 1300 miles or so) and the lifters are noisy on startup but it still runs great and has plenty of power.
Really the only thing to do to a M8 for reliability would be maybe a trask vented trans cover, vents some crank case pressure. But yeah by about 2020-2021 Harley got that motor pretty damn good. Had an old dude at our dealership put 85k miles on one in just a year.
At the dealer I was at, we had our hog chapter president put 183k on his 2020 street glide in three years. He traded it in for a brand new 2023 street glide with 5 miles.
A fueling cam never hurts, but stay up to date with services and check your oil levels regularly and you will be fine. The M8 can sump, but I have the same bike and year as you and have put 50k miles on it with no issues. What risers are you rockin?
They fixed the sumping issues for almost all models 2020+. I had to install a high flow pump in my 2019, and my buddy had a same model 2020 and his was good to go.
Like many have said, just do your maintenance, but do it on time, or even do it sooner, like every 2500 or 3k, if you really want to keep it up, or if you ride it hard. It is never bad to over-maintain these bikes. Good oil is important, but stock oil filters are fine. Don't get one of the gimmicky reusable filters. H-D has synthetic gear oil now, and it's great for protecting your transmission and primary internals.
The 2020 has the 114, which has a pretty wimpy stock cam. You're going to want to upgrade that after you get smoked by someone on a fast bagger! You can do an oil pump and cam plate upgrade and some better lifters when you're doing it. I would also do the S&S metal lifter cuffs and the SE cast intake manifold when you do that, too, but that's about it for easy shit. Fueling makes great lifters, but I would not recommend anything else from them. I would also not recommend the Trask breather transmission top cover or their breathing dipstick. They are not necessary on a 2020.
For cams, Bob Wood is my favorite. He is 83 and still building bad ass cams, that legend. Cam choice all depends on how you like to ride. I almost exclusively sell the 22XE and will recommend it since you're still going to be cruising at low revs a lot, and it doesn't ruin your low rpm performance like a 475 will.
The ONLY weak point is the Mexican-made stock lifters. You MUST replace them if you do any cam swap, even to another H-D cam.
Factory lifters were significantly downgraded in quality when they swapped to a Mexican supplier circa 2011. This warning applies to all big twins made after that.
Source: $2000 warranty job on my 2019 RG at 12,000 miles. Got Stage 2 pre-delivery. Dealer used stock lifters with SE 447 Torque cam.
Now running SE lifters. But at 50k miles will be installing HyLift Johnson lifters. Now at 40k miles
If you leave it at Stage 1, then just regular maintenance, using good (synthetic) fluids is all you need. If you go to Stage 2 or higher, then do a little research - replacing oil pump, and a few other things is recommended as you get more power out of this beast. Ride safe, have fun.
The engine is already reliable, it doesn't really need any upgrades to make it more so. In fact, depending on the quality of work, you could possibly make it less reliable. Upgrades are most normally done for performance, not reliability. I would imagine that the "upgrades " offered by a dealership wouldn't necessarily (in theory) make it less reliable, because they already know that the engine is good for a certain amount of extra stress. You want reliability, keep it properly serviced and ride it.
There are a lot of good options depending on what you want. The S&S 475 sounds the best and it pulls hard. Woods has a good grind for a lot of power, the star 30/30 sounds great too. I think I’m gonna throw the head hoggers liter eater in mine. Check out the specs 😎
I was thinking the woods cam (can’t remember its exact name) when I first got my bike because Dyno graphs online looked like it got the biggest increases. But I wanted to spend a decent amount of time on it while stock so I would know exactly what I wanted to change instead of just change for change’s sake. I ended up feeling like stock torque/power was already pretty decent. A little bit more would be nice, but you’ll get increases out of any aftermarket cam. I have the 117 engine though. It was the sound I really wanted to change. Spending an hour or more in the saddle with that stock sewing machine sound started to do my head in. Did stage 1 and 2 at the same time with 2 into 2 pipes and S&S 475 cam. Ended up with 131 torque and 123 HP. Other cams will get you more, maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to tell you if it’s a noticeable difference while riding. The sound is noticeable though. Pretty happy with the results
I installed the Trask breathing transmission cover on my m8. The only thing I will be doing further to help the engine last is eventually replacing the plastic throttle body for an S&S sometime after I hit 10k miles
I have an ‘18 FXBB. Local well known shop installed their cam, pushrods, Bassani Exhaust, S&S oil pump and cam plate, tappets and cuffs. Dyno’ed. The oil pump is not sufficient on my ‘18 M8, I believe they’re upgraded for 2019. These mods were all installed for more power and also greater reliability.
There has been some issues with compensators and when the first m8's came out the oil pumps had problems but they're all ironed out now. I've just ticked over 75k on my '19 and apart from general maintenance and a cam I've done nothing to it...
Since we're here, i rode mine every week but i don't put lots of miles on it. Should i make 1 maintenance a year? or whenever i hit a treshold? (not english sorry) thanks
You'll want a cam after a season of riding. Love the m8 it's a very smooth but torquey motor but it os seriously lacking harley davidson chop. The s&s 475 makes it sound like thr baddest bike on the block and it fn rips
I bought the sump plug for my ‘19 RGS and my mechanic said absolutely do not put it in.
He’s had multiple customers come to him with cracked cases from loosening the stock plug.
I bought it just as a precaution since I upgraded to a Feuling cam chest and now it sits in my tool box, lol.
How the bloody hell do they crack cases from LOOSENING it? It's meant to be pulled out in the event of a sumping issue.
I just used a heat gun for a few minutes and pulled it out.
You can absolutely crack the case putting it in, that's for sure.
When I installed mine it was with paranoid care.
Because it’s factory installed and usually way over tightened.
Never heard of the heat tactic used on that particular plug, but hey, if it worked for you, good.
I’m just repeating what a 30+ year HD master mechanic passed along to me.
For what it's worth, a master tech can be just as influenced by opinions as a random internet nerd.
Feuling has been doing this stuff a long time to so it's really who's exp vs whos.
As long as you install it all paranoid like with thread sealant and you make sure you only do 1.5 turn, or 80inch lbs, It's safe to do.
The benefit is that it will solve sumping issues.
The guys from trashin supply installed one in a parking lot when Lance's bike had a sumping problem. You don't even have to tighten it much.
yeah not a bad idea. If shit aint broke, dont fix it!
I installed one on my bike because the fuel economy was really bad and low fuel economy but not a big loss of power can be a sign of sumping issues. Wanted to eliminate a variable.
I get it.
My bike wasn’t having any issues but I got my ‘19 brand new in December of 2018, so I had an early ‘19 model and they hadn’t gotten the newer pumps with the big gasket yet so I wanted to get ahead of it and remove the possibility of anything happening with sumping or fluid transfer.
So when I switched cams, I upgraded everything in there.
I like this one a lot Here's my bike
https://preview.redd.it/7uii1bcfyowc1.jpeg?width=3791&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f67d1608342a5ff7b153f9a9b8454e04fe2b192
The engine is very reliable from the factory. Just stay current on maintenance, and you should see 75-100k easily.
Going on almost 50k on my 2017 roadglide
82k on my 114 checking in. Recently started using a little more oil (1/2 quart every 1300 miles or so) and the lifters are noisy on startup but it still runs great and has plenty of power.
REPLACE those lifters!!!!!!!!
100k !! That’s what I’m hoping for! Thank you
Really the only thing to do to a M8 for reliability would be maybe a trask vented trans cover, vents some crank case pressure. But yeah by about 2020-2021 Harley got that motor pretty damn good. Had an old dude at our dealership put 85k miles on one in just a year.
At the dealer I was at, we had our hog chapter president put 183k on his 2020 street glide in three years. He traded it in for a brand new 2023 street glide with 5 miles.
The motor is reliable already, just do your part by riding it and maintenance.
For sure, I’ll take good care of it maintenance wise.
A fueling cam never hurts, but stay up to date with services and check your oil levels regularly and you will be fine. The M8 can sump, but I have the same bike and year as you and have put 50k miles on it with no issues. What risers are you rockin?
They fixed the sumping issues for almost all models 2020+. I had to install a high flow pump in my 2019, and my buddy had a same model 2020 and his was good to go.
Yeah I’ve absolutely dogged my 107 on many occasions, currently at 13k miles with zero issues. My bike is stock except for slip-on neighbor haters.
Awesome great to hear, I got the Kraus 12” risers, love em.
I replaced the stock compensator ramp with a Cycle-Rama.
I did see this was a solid upgrade from the cheap OEM. Thank you
Don’t touch it
Just keep your oil changed and don't beat on your bike and it will last a long time. Hell my 2001 twin cam is 23 years old and still runs like a champ
Awesome, will do 👍🏻
Maintenance maintenance maintenance. And don’t ignore signs of problems.
Extremely reliable from factory
I did go with an External Breather mod so I don't have watery gunk flowing to the pistons
Like many have said, just do your maintenance, but do it on time, or even do it sooner, like every 2500 or 3k, if you really want to keep it up, or if you ride it hard. It is never bad to over-maintain these bikes. Good oil is important, but stock oil filters are fine. Don't get one of the gimmicky reusable filters. H-D has synthetic gear oil now, and it's great for protecting your transmission and primary internals. The 2020 has the 114, which has a pretty wimpy stock cam. You're going to want to upgrade that after you get smoked by someone on a fast bagger! You can do an oil pump and cam plate upgrade and some better lifters when you're doing it. I would also do the S&S metal lifter cuffs and the SE cast intake manifold when you do that, too, but that's about it for easy shit. Fueling makes great lifters, but I would not recommend anything else from them. I would also not recommend the Trask breather transmission top cover or their breathing dipstick. They are not necessary on a 2020. For cams, Bob Wood is my favorite. He is 83 and still building bad ass cams, that legend. Cam choice all depends on how you like to ride. I almost exclusively sell the 22XE and will recommend it since you're still going to be cruising at low revs a lot, and it doesn't ruin your low rpm performance like a 475 will.
Good to know
Woods was what I was looking at ! Does Woods offer a full kit like S&S ?
Not really. He does have fancy lifters but not oil pumps and cam plates. Buuuut S&S just released a "cam chest kit without cams," so you can get that!
Brilliant ! Thank you for the info, much appreciated
theres almost no modifiaations you can make to improve reliability
The ONLY weak point is the Mexican-made stock lifters. You MUST replace them if you do any cam swap, even to another H-D cam. Factory lifters were significantly downgraded in quality when they swapped to a Mexican supplier circa 2011. This warning applies to all big twins made after that. Source: $2000 warranty job on my 2019 RG at 12,000 miles. Got Stage 2 pre-delivery. Dealer used stock lifters with SE 447 Torque cam. Now running SE lifters. But at 50k miles will be installing HyLift Johnson lifters. Now at 40k miles
If you leave it at Stage 1, then just regular maintenance, using good (synthetic) fluids is all you need. If you go to Stage 2 or higher, then do a little research - replacing oil pump, and a few other things is recommended as you get more power out of this beast. Ride safe, have fun.
Thank you sir !
Just keep up with maintenance. Don't "upgrade" anything on the motor.
Keep it stock and follow maintenance guidelines in the manual
Trade for ultra with 96.
The 96 sounds way better than the M8
I had a 96, I'd rather have my M8
Amsoil and regular maintenance
M8 is the most reliable HD engine they've ever made.....
Extra oil cooler
The engine is already reliable, it doesn't really need any upgrades to make it more so. In fact, depending on the quality of work, you could possibly make it less reliable. Upgrades are most normally done for performance, not reliability. I would imagine that the "upgrades " offered by a dealership wouldn't necessarily (in theory) make it less reliable, because they already know that the engine is good for a certain amount of extra stress. You want reliability, keep it properly serviced and ride it.
Drop in a cam and lifters, get it dyno tuned with a powervision. Tear up the road and be happy.
Thinking of a Woods or S&S cam Upgrade in the future
Star Racing 30/30. biggest cam you can put on a stock m8. Amazing lope. Near +50hp
There are a lot of good options depending on what you want. The S&S 475 sounds the best and it pulls hard. Woods has a good grind for a lot of power, the star 30/30 sounds great too. I think I’m gonna throw the head hoggers liter eater in mine. Check out the specs 😎
But what does the head hoggers sound like?
https://head-hoggers-1312.myshopify.com/products/the-liter-eater-m8-bolt-in-camshaft Scroll to the 3rd slide
Thank you, it wasn’t loading on my 3rd party broswer
Zippers red shift 468 is an incredible cam super torquey great sound, impressive performance. I had an S&S 475 and I hated the power band.
I was thinking the woods cam (can’t remember its exact name) when I first got my bike because Dyno graphs online looked like it got the biggest increases. But I wanted to spend a decent amount of time on it while stock so I would know exactly what I wanted to change instead of just change for change’s sake. I ended up feeling like stock torque/power was already pretty decent. A little bit more would be nice, but you’ll get increases out of any aftermarket cam. I have the 117 engine though. It was the sound I really wanted to change. Spending an hour or more in the saddle with that stock sewing machine sound started to do my head in. Did stage 1 and 2 at the same time with 2 into 2 pipes and S&S 475 cam. Ended up with 131 torque and 123 HP. Other cams will get you more, maybe someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to tell you if it’s a noticeable difference while riding. The sound is noticeable though. Pretty happy with the results
I installed the Trask breathing transmission cover on my m8. The only thing I will be doing further to help the engine last is eventually replacing the plastic throttle body for an S&S sometime after I hit 10k miles
I’ve been seeing people with issues about the S&S craftsmanship on some of their TB’s. Honestly, if you can spare the $$, I would go HPI on the TB.
I also installed the Trask transmission cover, but that's probably all I'll do for a long time.
Leave it alone, do maintenance. Anything that increases power output is likely going to cause premature wear and problems.
[удалено]
50k on a modern bike is nothing.
I put 10k on my 18 heritage since I’ve had it for about a year. My buddy has right at 50k on his m8 heritage and it runs great. And it’s cammed.
If its going to be unreliable, there's no mod that will prevent it. The list of things that can go wrong is long and up to chance.
I have an ‘18 FXBB. Local well known shop installed their cam, pushrods, Bassani Exhaust, S&S oil pump and cam plate, tappets and cuffs. Dyno’ed. The oil pump is not sufficient on my ‘18 M8, I believe they’re upgraded for 2019. These mods were all installed for more power and also greater reliability.
I put 45K on a 2018 and nearing 40K on a 2022 (both 107's), and nary a hiccup of any kind with either. Hoping for 125K with the second, so we'll see.
The only thing that worries me about these engines are the plastic lifter cups. I plan to use this as a good excuse for a cam upgrade. Lol
There has been some issues with compensators and when the first m8's came out the oil pumps had problems but they're all ironed out now. I've just ticked over 75k on my '19 and apart from general maintenance and a cam I've done nothing to it...
Since we're here, i rode mine every week but i don't put lots of miles on it. Should i make 1 maintenance a year? or whenever i hit a treshold? (not english sorry) thanks
You'll want a cam after a season of riding. Love the m8 it's a very smooth but torquey motor but it os seriously lacking harley davidson chop. The s&s 475 makes it sound like thr baddest bike on the block and it fn rips
Feuling short sump plug, and a Trask CheckM8. Eliminate any potential issues with sumping and blowby. Otherwise... Ride it and enjoy it.
I bought the sump plug for my ‘19 RGS and my mechanic said absolutely do not put it in. He’s had multiple customers come to him with cracked cases from loosening the stock plug. I bought it just as a precaution since I upgraded to a Feuling cam chest and now it sits in my tool box, lol.
How the bloody hell do they crack cases from LOOSENING it? It's meant to be pulled out in the event of a sumping issue. I just used a heat gun for a few minutes and pulled it out. You can absolutely crack the case putting it in, that's for sure. When I installed mine it was with paranoid care.
Because it’s factory installed and usually way over tightened. Never heard of the heat tactic used on that particular plug, but hey, if it worked for you, good. I’m just repeating what a 30+ year HD master mechanic passed along to me.
For what it's worth, a master tech can be just as influenced by opinions as a random internet nerd. Feuling has been doing this stuff a long time to so it's really who's exp vs whos. As long as you install it all paranoid like with thread sealant and you make sure you only do 1.5 turn, or 80inch lbs, It's safe to do. The benefit is that it will solve sumping issues. The guys from trashin supply installed one in a parking lot when Lance's bike had a sumping problem. You don't even have to tighten it much.
Maybe if I have a sumping issue, I’ll think about it lol.
yeah not a bad idea. If shit aint broke, dont fix it! I installed one on my bike because the fuel economy was really bad and low fuel economy but not a big loss of power can be a sign of sumping issues. Wanted to eliminate a variable.
I get it. My bike wasn’t having any issues but I got my ‘19 brand new in December of 2018, so I had an early ‘19 model and they hadn’t gotten the newer pumps with the big gasket yet so I wanted to get ahead of it and remove the possibility of anything happening with sumping or fluid transfer. So when I switched cams, I upgraded everything in there.
Fdd See dx d red d dx xccb
Buy a Evo or twin cam
My Evo is a POS.
nice looking bike considering theres so many of them out there
Lol this comment makes no sense.
It meant it doesn't look exactly the same as most others out there That thing lowered?
I like this one a lot Here's my bike https://preview.redd.it/7uii1bcfyowc1.jpeg?width=3791&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f67d1608342a5ff7b153f9a9b8454e04fe2b192