2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Review

2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

NEW IN 2017

Battery tender harness

Paint color options
MODEL UNIQUE FEATURES

Style
• Fat, chromed front forks
• Unique, retro style, internally-wired Hollywood handlebar
• Gloss black headlamp with chrome trim ring and gloss black nacelle
• Gloss black cat-eye console with retro speedometer face
• Gloss black retro round air cleaner
• Air cleaner cover with High Output 103 badging
• Gloss black horseshoe oil tank
• Traditional Softail® Fat Bob® fuel tank with Bar & Shield™ medallion
• Minimal leather fuel tank center strip
• Simple blacked-out engine
• Low solo seat
• Retro half-moon footboards
• Narrow profile 144 mm rear tire
• Black Steel Laced wheels
• Chopped rear fender with integrated stop/turn/tail lights and side-mounted license plate
• Raw finishes throughout

Fit
• Low-slung solo seat at 23.8-inches
• Hollywood handlebar
• Half-moon footboards

Function
• Electronic throttle control
• Easy reach side stand and easy liftoff
• Tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, RPM/gear display, fuel gauge with low-fuel warning light and countdown feature, low-oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, 6-speed indicator light
• Self-canceling turn signal controls
• Start, engine cutoff, left/right turn signals, horn, hi/low beam with flash-to-pass, odometer display toggle/trip switch and hazard lights hand controls
• Barrel key, tank console-mounted ignition; fork lock common with ignition key
• Electric power accessory connector under seat

Performance
• Rigid-mounted, Air-cooled, 1690 cc High Output Twin Cam 103B™ counter-balanced engine with Automatic Compression Release (ACR)
• 6-Speed Cruise Drive® transmission
• Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) with heated O2 sensors

AVAILABLE OPTIONS
• Electronic cruise control (factory installed option)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)1 (factory installed option)
• Smart Security System2 with proximity-based, hands-free security fob (factory installed option)
• Engine Idle Temperature Management Strategy (EITMS) (dealer-activated)

2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Authentic Styling

Get an eyeful of a Softail® motorcycle and you see more than some weepy-eyed exercise in nostalgia. You’re looking at the kind of style that has the power to defy time. Honest. Uncluttered. Unaffected by the fad of the moment. There’s a good reason for this. We’ve used our long decades on the road, riding, wrenching, talking to other custom bike fanatics, to discover what works. Then we stick with it, and use it to push the boundaries of motorcycle design ever further. Take a look at the horseshoe oil tank adorning our Softail models. It’s the same one you’d see on a restored dresser from the ‘50s, or a radical Panhead chopper from the ‘70s. And you’ll find it right now on future Harley-Davidson® models that still on the drawing board. Other companies may be content to imitate bits and pieces from our long history. On a Softail motorcycle every part down to the axle nut cover comes from an authentic tradition. With a genuine reason for looking the way it looks.

Iconic Engine

The air-cooled 45° V-Twin engine at the heart of every Softail model is a prime example of what makes a Harley-Davidson motorcycle more satisfying than anything else. Its clean, uncluttered shape fits perfectly in the downtubes of the frame. Twist the throttle and the surge of torque hits you exactly where it counts. The knowledge of what makes an engine truly move a rider runs deep at The Motor Company, and it’s been put to particular good use to power the Softail family. We counterbalance the engine, which means we can bolt it directly to the frame. It keeps the styling tight at the center of the bike. It lets the rider feel the pulse of the V-Twin. With the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine, there aren’t any vibrations rattling the fillings out of your teeth. More power is always a Harley-Davidson tradition.

Handling

If you’ve never experienced a Harley-Davidson® Softail® motorcycle, it’s time to find out what you’ve been missing. The venerable Softail frame has logged untold millions of miles, and we’ve put every one of them to good use. The result: one of the most fun rides in all of motorcycling. We’ve spent the years making the frame stiffer, the geometry more balanced and the braking more precise. The dazzling wheels are wrapped in premium Dunlop rubber. The low seats give you a confident feeling of being a part of the motorcycle. Get out on a rolling stretch of backcountry highway and it all comes together. The crisp and responsive ride. The killer looks. As long as we build motorcycles like this having a good time will never go out of style.

Comfort

The authentic look of a Softail motorcycle comes from the days before anyone knew much about building a suspension. The rigid hardtail frames of yesteryear had a pure, uncluttered look that riders still love. But the bone-rattling ride meant your grandpa needed to strap on a kidney belt to keep his internals intact. The Softail family uses modern technology to consign the kidney belt to the museum. We’ve kept all the modern comforts where they belong—below the surface of a rad bike loaded with authentic style. You get the classic lines of a vintage “hardtail” frame with the horizontal rear shocks hidden in the guts. It’s a signature rigid look, and you’ll only find it on a Softail model.

STYLING

“Hollywood” Handlebars and “Cat Eye” Console

A cutting-edge ride that’s rich with Harley-Davidson history, the Softail Slim® model’s old-iron soul comes alive right up front. Unique retro-inspired handlebars call back to the glory days of 1940s bobbers, while the gloss-black headlamp cover and the “Cat Eye” console with its retro speedo face add even more swing-era swagger.

Round Air Cleaner Cover Design

The job of feeding air to the combustion process is key to getting you down the road, so the air cleaner cover gets special treatment when Harley-Davidson Styling goes to work on a motorcycle. Take a look at the center of the Softail Slim® model and you see the pure nostalgia of a gloss-black retro round air cleaner cover. It adds a raw old-school look to the minimalist, blacked-out styling of the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine. Modern power with old iron attitude.

Hidden Rear Shocks

If you want a comfortable bike but love that rigid-suspension look, you’ve come to the right bike. We’ve kept all the modern comforts where they belong—below the surface of a rad, vintage-looking bike. You get the classic lines of a vintage ‘hardtail’ frame with the horizontal rear shocks hidden in the guts. It’s a signature rigid look, and you’ll only find it on a Softail® model.

Narrow Rear Profile

The narrow rear tire and chopped fender with its integrated stop/turn/tail light and side-mounted license plate add up to a stripped-down profile that evokes the iconic, no-nonsense style of classic bobbers.

ENGINE

High Output Twin Cam 103B™ Engine

The knowledge of what makes an engine truly move a rider runs deep at The Motor Company, and it was put to good use when we created the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine. We sweated bullets perfecting every cubic inch, pushing design and technology forward. And we did it all without compromising one bit of Harley-Davidson’s unique styling. Evolved, yet carrying on the legacy of the Flathead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution® and Twin Cam 88™ and Twin Cam 96® engines that came before. The performance and durability are a direct result of the untold miles logged on the V-Twin since 1909 and the proud heritage that comes from a century’s worth of commitment to life on two wheels.

Pure Harley-Davidson Styling

Feast your eyes on the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine and there’s no mistaking its roots. This is authentic Harley-Davidson style through and through with an attention to detail you won’t find from any other motorcycle company. Medium gray engine with black powder-coated cylinders and cylinder heads are topped off with polished rocker covers and an old school round air cleaner cover for a tough vintage Harley-Davidson attitude. It’s a jewel machined out of metal. Pure. Dripping with power. From the classic edge of the cooling fins to the clean lines of cases and covers—the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine makes an ironclad statement about holding on to what’s right and staying true to what satisfies.

High Output Twin Cam 103B™ Engine Power

Asking riders if they’d like more power is like asking them “Would you like more beer in the pitcher?” when they’ve reached the end of a long day tearing up the roads. Everybody wants it, and the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine is 103 cubic inches of Harley-Davidson V-Twin you can rely on to deliver it. The airbox increases intake airflow and the cam optimizes phase and duration. The result: better low-end torque and faster 60 to 80 mph 5th gear roll-on to get you around that 18-wheeler. In other words, it gets you motivated in a hurry. In the tradition of the legendary Harley iron that came before it, the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine is once again raising the bar for the feeling an engine delivers to the rider. There’s a reason we’re called the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Once you send some fuel to this engine, you’ll have no doubt whose it is.

High Output Twin Cam 103B™ Engine Innovation

Fire up the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine and feel the low-end torque unleashed. Thanks to the lightweight piston design, delivery of the added power is more refined than ever. Then put your foot on the shifter and feel how the engine and 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission were designed to work together. Six speeds. A strong driveline and strong internal parts. Low routine maintenance. And a low cruising rpm that couldn’t feel better.

6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission

You want a ride that rumbles—not begs for mercy—when you lean on it a little. The 6-Speed Cruise Drive® transmission provides smooth, quiet shifting and reduces engine speed on the highway, so you get a better match between engine turnover and road speed. It’s a rare ride when a bike responds like this, and a low growl goes a long way when you’re opening up the road ahead.

HANDLING

Dunlop® Tires

Whether you’re crossing state lines or staying within city limits, you want sure contact with the road. The front end holds a premium touring tire with a three-ply polyester casing and two fiberglass belts. The back cruiser tire has an advanced tread pattern. Made from a specifically formulated compound, it delivers outstanding grip in wet or dry weather. And since they’re from Dunlop®, you know you’re wrapping your premium rollers in quality rubber.

Front Brake System

The front brake system on the Softail® models delivers a 40 percent reduction in the amount of lever force required at peak braking. The handlebar master and front cylinders have been restyled. There’s a 4-piston fixed caliper with 32 and 34 mm pistons, premium caliper piston coating to minimize initial displacement and a larger 300 mm rotor. It all adds up to more stopping power with less effort.

Engineered for Easy Handling

The Softail Slim® motorcycle may come on heavy, but it’s been designed to handle like a dream, with easy jiffy stand lift-off and great low-speed maneuverability, so you’re always riding in control. And when it’s time to stop, the low-slung saddle means your feet easily reach the road.

COMFORT

Low Solo Seat

The low-slung solo saddle matches the motorcycle’s clean, back-to-basics attitude, setting you “in” the bike so you ride like you’re a part of it and the open road ahead of you.

Half Moon Foot Boards

Cruise ahead with both feet in the past with this fresh twist on a classic design. The look may be vintage but the comfort is up-to-date: the chrome-plated steel surround and high durability raised rubber shapes are assembled to offer modern cast-in vibration isolation.

2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $15099 to $15849 USD

PRICING 6
Vivid Black $15,099
Color Option $15,499
Two-Tone Option $15,849
ABS Option $795
Security Option $395
California Emissions $200
Freight $390
DIMENSIONS
Length 92.3 in.
Seat Height, Laden 7 23.8 in.
Seat Height, Unladen 7 28.2 in.
Ground Clearance 4.9 in.
Rake (steering head) (deg) 32.1
Trail 5.8 in.
Wheelbase 64.4 in.
Tires, Front Specification MT90B16 72H
Tires, Rear Specification MU85B16 77H
Fuel Capacity 5 gal.
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.5 qt.
Weight, As Shipped 677 lb.
Weight, In Running Order 706 lb.
ENGINE
Engine 1 Air-cooled, High Output Twin Cam 103B™
Bore 3.87 in.
Stroke 4.374 in.
Displacement 103.1 cu in
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Fuel System 3 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st 9.311
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd 6.454
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd 4.793
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th 3.882
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th 3.307
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th 2.79
CHASSIS
Exhaust Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with dual mufflers
Wheels, Front Type 9 Black Steel Laced
Wheels, Rear Type Black Steel Laced
Brakes, Caliper Type 4-piston front and 2-piston rear
PERFORMANCE
Engine Torque Testing Method J1349
Engine Torque 2 102.5 ft-lb
Engine Torque (rpm) 3,000
Lean Angle, Right (deg.) 24
Lean Angle, Left (deg.) 24.9
Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy 5 42 mpg
ELECTRIC
Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator Lamps 8 High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional), 6-speed, low fuel warnings, ABS (optional)
Gauges Tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, RPM/gear display, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, 6-speed indicator light
1. Recommended 91 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
2. Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
3. Standard and optional fuel systems may vary by country.
4. See motorcycle owner’s manual for complete details.
5. Estimated from fuel economy tests on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family conducted by Harley-Davidson under ideal laboratory conditions. Not all motorcycle models undergo fuel economy testing. Fuel economy and mileage may vary among motorcycle models within a family. Your mileage may vary depending on your personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition and vehicle configuration and other conditions. Break-in mileage may vary.
6. Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices. Options such as color are available at additional cost. Prices exclude dealer setup, taxes, title and licensing and are subject to change. Dealer prices may vary.
7. Measurement reflects 180 lb. (81.7 kg) operator weight.
8. North America security system includes immobilizer; outside North America the security system includes immobilizer and siren.
9. Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.

2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim – www.Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $18199 to 19049 CDN

PRICING
Vivid Black $ 18,199
Color Option $ 18,649
Two-Tone Option $ 19,049
ABS Option $ 915
Security Option $ 455
Freight $ 250
DIMENSIONS
Length 2345 mm
Seat Height, Laden 6 605mm
Seat Height, Unladen 6 665 mm
Ground Clearance 125 mm
Rake (steering head) (deg) 32.1
Trail 147 mm
Wheelbase 1635 mm
Tires, Front Specification MT90B16 72H
Tires, Rear Specification MU85B16 77H
Fuel Capacity 18.9 l
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.3 l
Weight, As Shipped 307 kg
Weight, In Running Order 320 kg
ENGINE
Engine 1 Air-Cooled, High Output Twin Cam 103B™
Bore 98.4 mm
Stroke 111.1 mm
Displacement 1,690 cc
Compression Ratio 9.6:1
Fuel System 3 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st 9.311
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd 6.454
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd 4.793
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th 3.882
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th 3.307
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th 2.79
CHASSIS
Exhaust Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with dual mufflers
Wheels, Front Type Black, Laced Steel
Wheels, Rear Type 8 Black, Laced Steel
Brakes, Caliper Type 4-piston front and 2-piston rear
PERFORMANCE
Engine Torque Testing Method J1349
Engine Torque 2 139 Nm
Engine Torque (rpm) 3,000
Lean Angle, Right (deg.) 24
Lean Angle, Left (deg.) 24.9
Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy 5 5.6 l/100 km
ELECTRIC
Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator Lamps 7 High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional), 6-speed, low fuel warning, ABS (optional)
Gauges Tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, RPM/gear display, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, 6-speed indicator light
1. Recommended 91 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
2. Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
3. Standard and optional fuel systems may vary by country.
4. See motorcycle owner’s manual for complete details.
5. Estimated from fuel economy tests on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family conducted by Harley-Davidson under ideal laboratory conditions. Not all motorcycle models undergo fuel economy testing. Fuel economy and mileage may vary among motorcycle models within a family. Your mileage may vary depending on your personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition and vehicle configuration and other conditions. Break-in mileage may vary.
6. Measurement reflects 180 lb. (81.7 kg) operator weight.
7. North America security system includes immobilizer; outside North America the security system includes immobilizer and siren.
8. Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.

2017 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim – www.Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £15595 to £16345 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

PRICING 5
Vivid Black £ 15,595
Color Option £ 15,945
Two-Tone Option £ 16,345
DIMENSIONS
Length 2,350 mm
Seat Height, Unladen 650 mm
Ground Clearance 115 mm
Rake (steering head) (deg) 32.1
Trail 147 mm
Wheelbase 1,635 mm
Tyres, Front Specification MT90B16 72H
Tyres, Rear Specification MU85B16 77H
Fuel Capacity 18.9 l
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.3 l
Weight, As Shipped 308 kg
Weight, In Running Order 321 kg
ENGINE
Engine Air-Cooled, High Output Twin Cam 103B™
Bore 98.4 mm
Stroke 111.1 mm
Displacement 1,690 cc
Compression Ratio 9.7:1
Fuel System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st 9.311
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd 6.454
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd 4.793
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th 3.882
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th 3.307
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th 2.79
CHASSIS
Exhaust Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with dual mufflers
Wheels, Front Type Black, Laced Steel
Wheels, Rear Type Black, Laced Steel
Brakes, Caliper Type 4-piston front and 2-piston rear
PERFORMANCE
Engine Torque Testing Method EC 134/2014
Engine Torque 126 Nm
Engine Torque (rpm) 3,000
Lean Angle, Right (deg.) 24
Lean Angle, Left (deg.) 24.9
Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy 5.6 l/100 km
ELECTRIC
Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator Lamps High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system, 6-speed, low fuel warnings, low battery, ABS
Gauges Tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, RPM/gear display, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, 6-speed indicator light
1. Availability of colours may vary from dealer to dealer and is subject to change without further notice.
2. Recommended 95 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
3. Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
4. See motorcycle owner’s manual for complete details.
5. Prices shown are suggested retail prices only. Please contact your nearest dealer for further details.
6. Measurement reflects 81.7 kg operator weight.
7. Security system includes immobiliser and siren.
8. Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).