Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
The Harley-Davidson Softail Slim may be named after its narrow seat/tank section, but its feature list is pretty hefty. At its heart though, the Softail Slim is an old-school bobber as it appeared in the post-WWII era, with dark finishes, forward footboards, and tuck-and-roll-style saddle. As with all the new Softails, the Slim received Harley-Davidson’s more powerful Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine in 2018, which is solidly mounted to the chassis and utilizes dual counterbalancers to snuff out primary vibration (unlike the eight-valve twin featured in the current Touring models).
Its low stance, lighter weight, and slimmer profile make it a good fit for smaller riders, but the Harley Softail Slim comes with attitude too, in the form of period-correct styling details like bobbed fenders, spoke wheels, and gallons of black paint. Stylish gloss black Hollywood handlebars (used on early police bikes) and forward-biased half-moon footboards also call out post-war custom trends.
Good looks aside, the Harley Softail Slim also gets a boost in the rideability department, with increased cornering clearance and better handling thanks in part to the Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) fork that all Softails also received in 2018. The Showa fork reduces weight and serves up linear damping characteristics for a better controlled ride, while out back, a solo coil-over shock mounted under the seat replaces the two under-engine dampers used previously. That means shock action is now conventional—when the rear wheel hits a bump the shock is compressed (rather than extended as on the old push/pull design). As a result, the Harley Softail Slim benefits from increased wheel travel, more controlled damping, and a better range of spring preload adjustment, while still maintaining that desirable hardtail look
Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Specs & Pricing
The Slim stands out from the crowd with its combo of dark finishes, forward footboards, gloss back, and solo saddle, but it also receives modern components like the M-8 engine (the 107ci version only) and Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and adjustable rear shock.
Engine: | Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin |
Displacement: | 107cu.in. /1746cc |
Transmission: | 6-speed Cruise Drive |
Compression ratio: | 10.0:1 |
Valve train: | Single-cam; 4 valves /cylinder |
Cooling: | Air-/oil-cooling |
Overall length: | 90.0 in. |
Overall width: | 38.2 in. |
Seat Height: | 25.5 in. |
Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in. |
Wheelbase: | 64.2 in. |
Front suspension: | Non-adjustable Showa Dual Bending Valve fork |
Rear suspension: | Spring-preload adjustable shock |
Wheel Size Front: | 16 in. |
Wheel Size Rear: | 16 in. |
Front brakes: | Disc w/ fixed 4-piston caliper |
Rear brake: | Disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper |
Fuel capacity: | 5.0 gal. |
Running Weight: | 671 lb. |
GVWR: | 1160 lb. |
Pricing for the 2019 Harley Softail Slim starts at $15,949 in Vivid Black; color options bump it up to $16,349, while adding the ABS option tacks on another $795. Keyless ignition and the H-D Factory Security System come standard on this motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Parts & Accessories
“There’s a multitude of ways to customize your Softail too. Harley Softail Slim parts and accessories are readily available from the online Harley Genuine Parts and Accessories store or catalog, or any number of aftermarket suppliers.
Some of the most common Softail Slim parts that get updated during customization include seats, saddlebags, and handlebars. Harley Softail Slim seats run the gamut from this distressed antique brown solo saddle to the full-boat Harley Hammock Touring seat.
Another popular add-on is the Softail Slim sissy bar, also available in various shapes and sizes. Craving cargo space? Add a set of Softail Slim saddlebags, or opt for this Motherwell Products solo rack to strap on additional cargo.”
With the Harley Softail Slim, there’s no shortage of customization options.