500 Mile Report on New 2019 Tri Glide

[tbird71]

Well, I'm at the 500 mi mark now, got it pretty well broke in, here's my impression so far (vs my 2014 103 model)

This is my opinion only on my two bikes

Harley takes a different route than Honda. For all the major changes, this new trike, save for the air cleaner, looks exactly like a 2014 model. And that's the way they want it. Here's my opinion of what matters to ME on my new Trike:

1. Steering/New Forks/ABS/Traction Control...This new guy steers MUCH better and easier than the 2018 down models. WAY less input and effort required in curves, and tracks much better.

2. Clutch/Trans...The clutch feels much smoother, easier to engage/disengage transmission shifts much better, I am going with RED LINE shockproof at the 1000 mi service which should help even more.

3. Braking...The electronic linked braking feels much better, brakes better, I haven't got crazy with them yet as I wanted to break them in, but I can easily notice a difference

4. Suspension...the new coil over shock is better than the air system. Even on uneven pavement and dips it seems there's less shake, I left the factory setting alone as a few others have, and it seems to work fine, no bottoming, smooth ride

5. GTS Radio...I haven't really gotten into it yet, but it DOES come on much faster than the 6.5 and plays my USB stick perfectly, the look is definitely better.

6. M8 114 engine...to me is the star of the show, MUCH better roll on power, no downshifts needed now in most situations, moves out much easier, THIS is the engine the Tri Glide needed! Heat is still a factor but maybe not quite as much. It's quieter than my 103 was, almost TOO quiet, but I'll leave it alone for now.

That's about it. Was it worth the upgrade? For me, a definite YES. IMO Harley has stepped up to the plate on the new 2019s, giving them much needed upgrades which results in a much better riding experience.

Let's hear YOUR views?

[DK Custom Products]

I am on the same page with you on many of your items.

My trans does not seem any smoother, but the clutch is definitely nicer. Maybe once I get some redline shockproof in the trans I'll feel differently. Just yesterday I was noticing how sharp the clunk is in each gear.

While I don't like the linking of the brakes, the brakes themselves are MUCH improved.

Stock suspension is 30-40% better than the old air. Big improvement over previous years stock.

I still don't have the new infotainment figured out yet, but it is much faster at coming online. Really nice when using the GPS.

I agree, the M8 is the big deal. I've really like this powerplant since it came out, and believe HD really hit the ball out of the park with this new gen engine. It has a noticeably quieter top end. Yes, it still has a heat issue, but the rider and passenger are a bit better insulated from it.

Good to hear you're enjoying the improvement, as am I.

I have a thread going at the link below with my ongoing observations and mods to my '19.

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...d-observations

Kevin

[tbird71]

I am on the same page with you on many of your items.

My trans does not seem any smoother, but the clutch is definitely nicer. Maybe once I get some redline shockproof in the trans I'll feel differently. Just yesterday I was noticing how sharp the clunk is in each gear.

Kevin

Kevin, I'm not 100% sure WHAT came in my 3 holes. My dealer did a dealer trade for this, and while

they did a DPI on it, they didn't change fluids. I THINK mine has HD 360 in the crank, and Formula+

in the primary and trans.

What oils do you plan on putting in your crank and primary when you do the service if I can ask?

[sportthedog]

when you guys talk about "heat", are you talking normal Harley heat or is Tri Glide heat above and beyond normal Harley heat?

[Jack Klarich]

when you guys talk about "heat", are you talking normal Harley heat or is Tri Glide heat above and beyond normal Harley heat?

On the Trikes it is rider and passenger felt heat mostly from the location of the cat convertors

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, I'm not 100% sure WHAT came in my 3 holes. My dealer did a dealer trade for this, and while

they did a DPI on it, they didn't change fluids. I THINK mine has HD 360 in the crank, and Formula+

in the primary and trans.

What oils do you plan on putting in your crank and primary when you do the service if I can ask?

Redline 20-50 in the engine, Redline shockproof in the trans and Syn3 in the primary.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

when you guys talk about "heat", are you talking normal Harley heat or is Tri Glide heat above and beyond normal Harley heat?

The Tri-Glide has the normal HD heat, plus more because of the following-

Extra weight of 300+ lbs

A lot of extra wind resistance

Both of the above make the engine have to work much harder to move the Trike along than the same engine on a 2 wheeler.

The last thing is that the rear body prevents the air from flowing smoothly past, like it does on a 2 wheeler. This means that more heat is felt by the rider and passenger, it also means that the engine cannot shed heat as well on the trikes as the 2 wheelers.

"Normal" HD heat is normal...not good, but normal, and even more on the Trikes. Here are a couple of links on the subject.

Why and How to Cool Down the Twin Cam & M8 engines- REPORT LINK

What is the ideal temp for Performance, Longevity and Economy on a HD, REPORT LINK

Kevin

[tbird71]

Kevin; I have read and agree completely with your threads

I now understand why my 35,000 mile 2014 TG when ran bone stock

and I'm sure very hot for years running 2 up most of the time probably damaged that engine

NOW I see why it didn't have any real power!

When I did the oil and trans change you should have SEEN the big pile of metal shavings

on the bolt ends...so much so that it was completely covered and couldn't hold more!

I know now I made the right decision to trade mine as things would have only gotten worse from there

And any of my friends that are contemplating getting a 2014 up tri Glide with over 30K miles I will show them your threads...

I am going to start with my 2019 with the left side thigh protector removal...that's easy enough, and I understand the principal involved...that will certainly help. I want to keep my M8 running as cool as possible, thanks for the links

PS...Now about the 2013s down with NO twin cooling do they run cooler when stock?

Does that make them a good choice for the "newbie" Tri Glide owner vs the newer ones,

especially higher mile examples like the one I had?

[MDO]

Thanks for the 500 mile evaluation/report.

From my personal experience, I can tell you 500 miles is no where near "broke in".

Mine ran better at 3,500 miles, then even better after the 1.5" deluxe tank lift, K&N air filter in the stock box & an EBS of my own design.

In fact, it just keeps getting better, especially with Redline Shockproof in the transmission.

[BILLIJAK]

Kevin; I have read and agree completely with your threads

I now understand why my 35,000 mile 2014 TG when ran bone stock

and I'm sure very hot for years running 2 up most of the time probably damaged that engine

NOW I see why it didn't have any real power!

When I did the oil and trans change you should have SEEN the big pile of metal shavings

on the bolt ends...so much so that it was completely covered and couldn't hold more!

I know now I made the right decision to trade mine as things would have only gotten worse from there

And any of my friends that are contemplating getting a 2014 up tri Glide with over 30K miles I will show them your threads...

I am going to start with my 2019 with the left side thigh protector removal...that's easy enough, and I understand the principal involved...that will certainly help. I want to keep my M8 running as cool as possible, thanks for the links

PS...Now about the 2013s down with NO twin cooling do they run cooler when stock?

Does that make them a good choice for the "newbie" Tri Glide owner vs the newer ones,

especially higher mile examples like the one I had?

When you say left side thigh protector, are you talking about L/R while sitting on the bike....or standing in front looking at it? Example....horn side or air cleaner side?

Thanks

[tbird71]

When you say left side thigh protector, are you talking about L/R while sitting on the bike....or standing in front looking at it? Example....horn side or air cleaner side?

Thanks

I THINK Kevin is talking about left side as you're sitting on the bike

(AKA HORN Side) Maybe he'll come back on and clarify that.

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin; I have read and agree completely with your threads

I now understand why my 35,000 mile 2014 TG when ran bone stock

and I'm sure very hot for years running 2 up most of the time probably damaged that engine

NOW I see why it didn't have any real power!

When I did the oil and trans change you should have SEEN the big pile of metal shavings

on the bolt ends...so much so that it was completely covered and couldn't hold more!

I know now I made the right decision to trade mine as things would have only gotten worse from there

And any of my friends that are contemplating getting a 2014 up tri Glide with over 30K miles I will show them your threads...

I am going to start with my 2019 with the left side thigh protector removal...that's easy enough, and I understand the principal involved...that will certainly help. I want to keep my M8 running as cool as possible, thanks for the links

PS...Now about the 2013s down with NO twin cooling do they run cooler when stock?

Does that make them a good choice for the "newbie" Tri Glide owner vs the newer ones,

especially higher mile examples like the one I had?

Hi Tom,

Yeah, the initial thought by many is that the '14's with the liquid cooled heads run cooler...BUT...

When HD went to the Twin-Cooled, they increased compression, and went with slightly hotter cams. This created more heat, but the heads are kept cooler because of the liquid cooling.

The problem is that where the oil cooler was OEM on 13 and older, that is where the water pump is on the 14 and newer. So there is no oil cooler on the 14 and newer, resulting in all parts of the engine (except the heads), and the oil, running Hotter on the 14 and newer than the older models.

The easy solution to that is the Oil Cooler Package for the 14 and newer models. This retains the benefits of the liquid cooled heads, the extra power of the higher compression and hotter cams, while adding the oil cooling that was OEM on the older models.

I don't know that the 13's and earlier run cooler or hotter than the 14's and later...it seems like pretty much an equal trade-off. They're both in trouble without some cooling intervention...and that includes the M8's.

We've done heat testing on M8's dating all the way back to Jack's Freewheeler a few years ago.

I just started in-depth testing on my own '19 M8 this last weekend. We'll start publishing some more data over the next few weeks on it.

To give you an example of how serious the heat issue is:

Today is in the low 80's here. I have to run up to Memphis later this afternoon. I wanted to take my '19 Tri Glide, but I have not yet done all the cooling mods on it (testing and gathering data one step at a time, so can't just bolt it all on in one afternoon). Because I do not want to do damage to my TG, I have borrowed Mary's truck today to make that run up to Memphis.

Hopefully this weekend I will be able to complete enough of my cooling mods that I can ride my TG when and where I want without concern for heat damage.

Oh, one more thing related to your question about '13 and earlier models. On my 2011 the only way I could keep the ideal temps for engine longevity and performance was to do all the things listed in the Report linked above, including TWO oil coolers...one in the factory OEM location and the other off the downtube. We did not have the Oil Filter Relocation at the time, so that might have been enough so that I did not need to run the second oil cooler.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

I THINK Kevin is talking about left side as you're sitting on the bike

(AKA HORN Side) Maybe he'll come back on and clarify that.

Yep, left side is the horn side.

Kevin