Harley-Davidson 1745 Softail Slim FLSL 2021 — Specifications

When Milwaukee decides to shake up a classic without betraying its soul, the result is the Softail Slim in Milwaukee-Eight guise. The 2018 redesign was a surgical operation on the entire Softail family, and the Slim emerged transformed without its silhouette shifting an inch. That is precisely where Harley-Davidson's talent lies when the brand puts its mind to it: deeply evolving a machine while keeping intact everything that made it charming in the first place.

The heart of the matter is obviously the Milwaukee-Eight powering this 2021 version. 1,745 cc, a 45-degree V-twin, 86 horsepower at 5,020 rpm, and above all 144 Nm of torque available from just 3,250 rpm. That early torque is the Harley signature — the one that plants the rider in the saddle at the first twist of the wrist and makes city roll-ons feel as natural as they are formidable on the highway. The engine gains in refinement over the previous generation, with four valves per cylinder where two once sufficed. The motor is less vibey, better managed thermally, without losing that rough character that defines the American V-twin against its Japanese or European rivals.

The chassis deserves as much attention as the engine. The rectangular-beam steel tube frame was completely rethought: fewer welds, fewer parts, and ultimately 17 kilograms shed from the scales. For a machine that tips the scales at 304 kg fully fueled, that weight loss is no small thing. The major structural novelty is the relocation of the rear suspension. Gone is the pair of shocks tucked beneath the engine, replaced by a single shock hidden under the seat. The visual effect is striking: the line becomes tauter, more Bobber, almost Hardtail to the eye. The 49 mm telescopic fork up front, inherited from the Touring models with 130 mm of travel, rounds out a package that delivers on twisty roads without being an absolute dynamic benchmark. This is still a cruiser, not a sports bike in disguise.

The Slim's visual identity leans decisively toward the darker side of the catalog. Two-tone spoked wheels, chromed Hollywood bars and fork, black finishes contrasting with polished metal: the nod to the 1950s Bobber is deliberate and coherent. The low 660 mm seat height makes it accessible for a range of rider builds, even if 304 kg at a standstill demands some experience for slow-speed maneuvering. The 18.9-liter tank provides decent range for weekend rides, and the six-speed gearbox paired with a belt drive ensures smooth, undemanding riding over longer stints.

Pitted against an Indian Scout Bobber or a BMW R 18, the Slim plays a different card. It is less powerful than the R 18, less nimble than the Scout, but it offers a stylistic cohesion and everyday usability that few customs achieve. The starting price of €19,590 places it in the premium segment without reaching the heights of certain German rivals. This is a machine built for American custom enthusiasts who want a reliable, characterful, and instantly recognizable motorcycle without chasing performance or versatility at all costs. The weekend cruiser will find exactly what they're looking for here, as will the Harley purist. The rider looking to venture off the beaten path will look elsewhere.