HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL SLIM (2018 - on) Review

Good brakes

Runs a lot cooler than previous models Bit smoother

Bit of fastener corrosion

Not much equipment

Given the brakes a 4* The brakes are better than they look - Forget two fingers. But pulls-up well enough, even with the single front disc. So fine for this bike. Mine has ABS ( Harley call this Avanced Braking System). Note: There aren’t any usual ABS rotors on the wheels. There is a braking unit on the front downtube. Ride quality? 3* Fine on smoother roads. The hidden rear shocks can really thump over bumps. There isn’t much ground clearance on a Softail. Can probably be improved/ adjusted. But access to the underslung shocks is poor.

You either like these engines or you don’t. No point in comparing them to your mate’s Bandit or to a any multi-cylinder bike. Compared to a large Japanese V-Twin? You get the feeling of more metal moving around. Vibes aren’t really a problem on a softail. A good solid motor, with decent torque and real world grunt. In gear roll-on performance is respectable and the 103 can easily punch above the legal limit. Plenty of character. My gearbox is better than I imagined. Neutral occasionally tricky to find. Overall gives a real sense of occasion.

I am not a long term owner. But all good, so far and starts first time, every time. A friend has a similar engine with 50K on it and has had few issues. Harley quality is a mixed bag: The finish tending to be good, where you can readily see it and poorer elsewhere. You need to look after a Harley. I love the fact I can get my Solvol out and that the Slim doesn’t have much chrome.

Early days for me: My friends use independent specialists. Costs are reasonable and parts for the Twin Cams are easy to obtain. I’m sure the main dealers cater well, for those who want to maintain an HD service history. Insurance seems very reasonable. MPG is about high 30’s - early 40’s and giving it the beans makes quite a difference.

Doesn’t look like you get much. But the multi function switch gives a few options. There is a digital rev counter option, gear indicator, clock function and even a fault code display. Well behind my Triumph Scrambler 1200. But enough for this type of bike. HD indicators are frustrating - I’m left handed and struggle with the RH switch. But they are self cancelling. As mentioned: my bike has ABS. But some don’t. Headlight on the 103 Slim is halogen and adequate. I don’t feel post war styling and LED looks right. Rear indicators are combination units and do have LEDs! The Slim either has a pillion pad or rear rack. Mine’s single seat.

It’s a Harley full stop👍👍

Ride quality very good, brakes average

Plenty of low down torque from the M8 provides staggering acceleration and means you don't always have to be in the absolute right gear

Build quality and finish is excellent, hardly any plastic in sight.

Get around 45 mpg, insurance around £200 so not bad. It seems to me that these bikes have relatively low depreciation as I was initially looking for newish second hand, but ended up buying new with a decent discount which was cheaper

You don't get much!

Suprisingly well for ONLY a Single disc but they made up for it with a 4-Piston Caliper ;)

Just Nice and smooth power delivery . Putting even a Stage 1 (Air Cleaner *high breathing* & Slip On Mufflers w/Tune*) REALLY woke it up and gave it a Very nice driveability, biggest change was Sound ;) & Power from 2,000 rpm to 5,250 rpm is a nice increase from stock.

Service Cost per year

The Seat is still my biggest complaint-TOO HARD and needed to be a little higher at the back to keep you on the bike when you Give full throttle ;) The Screamin' Eagle Ventilator Air Cleaner Kit was an excellent Upgrade for me, with the Screamin' Eagle Pro Street Tuner, and S&S Grand National Slip On Mufflers. Sounds GREAT and is everything you could expect from stage 1 build.