Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S – The S is for Sensational
Harley-Davidson makes motorcycles for all kinds of riders — small, medium and larger than life. The all-new Softail Slim S falls into the latter category and is currently one of their best and most powerful bikes to date.
The 2016 model can make you feel like an action hero in your own blockbuster movie. Captain America could easily kick and haul ass on it too. The Slim S in Olive Gold Denim paint is far from drab with its U.S. Army-inspired graphics and a big, white Army star on the side of its five-gallon tank.
Actually, the latest iron horse from Milwaukee resembles a WLA Harley-Davidson military motorcycle from WWII, sans the leg guards and sub-machine gun rack. It also comes in black if you decide to go AWOL or prefer a more sinister looking ride.
The Slim S looks retro with fat tires and black, steel laced wheels, but doesn’t feel old at all with its 6-speed transmission, hydraulic clutch and anti-lock braking.
Plus, you don’t have to be a super soldier to ride one. Weighing in at 712 pounds, the Softail doesn’t feel too heavy thanks to its low center of gravity and the saddle is only 23.8-inches off of the ground.
The low slung, stock solo seat is comfortable for daily rides, but sags a tad in the middle — a springier seat upgrade would make the Slim S look and feel even better. You could probably lose the half-moon floorboards too and install highway pegs to avoid scraping them in tighter turns.
The modern machine packs plenty of punch on the road. The S is for the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110-cubic inch V-Twin, the same air-cooled 1802cc engine from the costlier, CVO models. It can run hot in congested traffic or in a drive-thru, but will keep you toasty throughout the year.
Aside from plenty of low-end grunt, the engine and exhaust sounds good with a low, guttural growl like any decent American cruiser should have. The Slim S screams when it needs to and makes it easy to let others hear you are coming.
The stock pipes and Harley horn are also loud enough for splitting lanes safely and will scare small children or tailgating assholes in minivans. It feels good to be feared and the 110B engine offers plenty of low-end torque for powerful getaways.
On the freeway, the Slim is a blast. The hidden, horizontal-mounted, coil-over rear shocks provide an excellent ride. The Softail’s suspension is sublime on pock marked highways, uneven pavement, and you can barely feel highway reflectors as you roll over them.
The big, chunky grips on the black, bow-shaped handlebars offer a relaxed riding position and the blacked-out bobber is the perfect cruiser for commuters or cross-country riders.
Honestly, the Slim S rides and handles as good as it looks and is made for any type of rider with a sense of adventure. It’s the evolution of over a century of Harley-Davidson engineering and one of the best cruisers on the market.
The 2016 Softail Slim S gets about 42 mpg city/highway miles combined. MSRP starts at $18,499; $18,899 as tested; ABS, security system and cruise control are standard.
Visit Harley-Davidson for more details.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Dimensions:
Length: 92.3 in. (2390 mm)
Seat Height: 28.2 in. (665 mm)
Fuel Capacity: 5 gal. (18.9 L)
Dry Weight: 682 lbs. (309 kg); (712 lbs. in running order)
Powertrain:
Engine: Air-cooled, Twin Cam 110B
Displacement: 110 cu. in. (1802 cc)
Engine Torque: 109 ft. lbs. @ 3500 RPM (136 Nm @ 3000 RPM)
Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive
Wheels/Tires:
Black Steel Laced
Front: D402F MT90B16 72H
Rear: D402 MU85B16 77H
Color Options:
Color Options: Solids: Vivid Black; NEW Olive Gold Denim