Harley-Davidson FLS Softail Slim Review

The Slim is basically a conventional Softail (ie a big double with invisible back excitement for that ‘hardtail’ look) but given (as seems to be continuously stylish with cruiser motorcycles from all producers at the moment) the simple, ‘50s ‘bobber’/hot rod look. The distinction here, though, is the ‘Slim’ bit. Harley’s perspective was that its current Softails had become ever bigger and plusher, the outcome being that the motor finished up looking small and small. With the Thin, the concept is to opposite that pattern by creating the bicycle thinner at the back so the motor looks bigger in the structure, thus accomplishing more of a hot rod design.
It performs, too, as was amazingly obvious when following a Thin together with a Fat Boy and observing starkly how confusing, fat and, yes, raw, the lengthy preferred Fat Boy seemed by evaluation. 

Engine

Classic air-cooled, 45-degree Big Twin Hd (now up to 103ci) as now conventional across the whole Softail and Traveling family members. Performance is sufficient and acquainted, personality is all. A relic, maybe, buy a traditional, specified one.

Ride and Handling

The driving place with low chair, traditional ‘Fat Bob’ container (complete with tank-mounted console), forward-ish footboards with heel-toe ‘change and wide/flat-ish cafes, is organic and completely comfortable and trips fairly much as you would expect: stable, eye-catching, no significant shockers or difficulties, plenty of Hd ‘cool’ and the the regular scattering of Hd issues, namely stoopid lengthy sidestands, having to look down to the container to examine the signs have terminated and those unique-to-H-D left/right bar signal changes.

Equipment

Minimal. The Thin may be a ‘new’ design but there is nothing truly new about it with regards to technological innovation or requirements. In other conditions, as Hd usually do efforts after time again, the Thin is something of a ‘parts bin special’ and a fairly primary one at that.
Want it spelt out simpler? There’s only two – yes, TWO – exclusive elements on the Slim: its ‘Hollywood’ cafes and its ribbed single chair. Everything else is a mish-mash of other motorbikes, and not a particularly innovative mish-mash at that. Gawd only knows what all those beautician chaps do in The usa to finish their operating week…

Quality and Reliability

Usual Hd great requirements with strong color and firefox and strong develop. No worries over stability either. Instead primary criticismis how simply and primary the Thin is. Best color in the skin, furthermore, is the most cost-effective  shine dark one.

Value

The Thin is a deserving, nice and efficient inclusion to the Softail variety. It’s reliable, eye-catching and a excellent entertainer. But it still rankles that so little of it is actually new. Would it really have been that challenging to, say, provide the Thin a exclusive container and back fender to create it truly more distinctive?
As it is, and despite Harley’s announced aim of creating the Thin ‘a more cost-effective Softail’, it’s fairly expensive. So, if enticed, go with the primary shine (or ‘Vivid’) dark edition (at £14,695) rather than pay the heftier £14,995 for it in red or hackneyed jeans (or satin) dark. It’s the best looker anyway.