Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL Buyer's Guide

The Machine's Character

The Softail Slim is Harley-Davidson stripped back to the frame rails. Blacked-out finishes, wire wheels, a solo tuck-and-roll seat and a 26.0 in (660 mm) seat height give it the look of a raw post-war bobber, and nothing about it looks fake. Under the tank sits the 1745 cc Milwaukee-Eight 107, an air/oil-cooled 45° V-twin with 85 hp and 107 lb-ft that drives a six-speed gearbox and a belt. It has no ride modes, no traction control and no TFT screen. Where other cruisers keep adding gadgets, this is the purist's Softail and one of the most convincing chopper shapes you can buy straight off a showroom floor.

On the road it feels like a pure motorcycle: wind, engine and asphalt, with nothing in between. The steel double-cradle Softail chassis stays calm and planted as the speed builds, and build quality holds up to close inspection, the kind that still looks right after years of ownership. Few bikes give the aftermarket more to work with. The honest caveat is equipment. ABS is optional, there's no cruise control, the fork has no adjustment, and you're moving 670 lb (304 kg) on a 5.0 gal (18.9 L) tank. Buy it for attitude and feel, not for long-haul convenience.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	85 hp (63 kW)
Torque	107 lb-ft (145 Nm)
Displacement	1745 cc
Engine	45° V-twin
Cooling	Air/oil-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Belt
Fork	Telescopic
Front brake	300 mm
Front tire	130/90-16
Rear tire	150/80-16
Seat height	26.0 in (660 mm)
Wet weight	670 lb (304 kg)
Fuel capacity	5.0 gal (18.9 L)

Equipment check

Chassis

Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional
Luggage System Optional

Connectivity

Keyless System Standard

Lighting

LED Headlight Standard

Safety

ABS Optional

Known issues

Highway speed vibration

chassis occasional

Some owners report shaking through the handlebars and fuel tank at a certain speed range, which may smooth out above or below that range. Possible causes include an out-of-balance or defective tire, or a damaged wheel bearing. In some cases, a front tire replacement resolved the issue.
Dashboard rattle around 1,740 rpm

bodywork rare

A few owners have reported a buzzing or rattling noise from the dash area at approximately 1,740 rpm. The source is likely loose cable routing or trim, though it has not been universally acknowledged by dealers.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Metal-and-Muscle Presence

Rumble & Character

Low-Speed Confidence Despite Mass

Relaxed Boulevard Ergonomics

Living-Machine Feel

Relaxed Torque Authority

This bike Class average

The shape of the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL — numbers and character vs. the average Cruiser

Head-to-head: Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL vs. its rivals

Power

85 hp This bike 91 hp BMW R 18 100 hp Indian Scout 85 hp Triumph Thunderbird 85 hp Benda LFC 700 PRO

Torque

107 lb-ft This bike 117 lb-ft BMW R 18 72 lb-ft Indian Scout 108 lb-ft Triumph Thunderbird 44 lb-ft Benda LFC 700 PRO

Displacement

1745 cc This bike 1802 cc BMW R 18 1133 cc Indian Scout 1597 cc Triumph Thunderbird 676 cc Benda LFC 700 PRO

Wet weight

670 lb This bike 761 lb BMW R 18 558 lb Indian Scout 679 lb Triumph Thunderbird 633 lb Benda LFC 700 PRO

Seat height

26.0 in This bike 27.2 in BMW R 18 26.5 in Indian Scout 27.6 in Triumph Thunderbird 25.6 in Benda LFC 700 PRO

The 'Should I Buy It?' Score

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Softail Slim FLSL is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best cruiser for Sturgis?

This is the right bike. It has the sound, the stance and the bobber attitude you want when you roll into Sturgis or Daytona, and the parts catalog lets you make it unmistakably yours.

Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week

Best retro motorcycle for road trips?

It's a strong fit for small towns and historic routes at an easy pace. It's old-school in look and feel, but pack light and plan your fuel stops, because luggage is an extra.

Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

Honestly, it's not your bike. The solo seat rules out two-up, luggage is optional, and there's no cruise control. It'll make a great weekend ride, but not a daily 500-mile (800 km) machine.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Previous generation · 2012–2017

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLS (MY2012)

Factory Bobber, Straight From Milwaukee

Compare to the previous model →

Alternatives to the Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLSL. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.