Harley-Davidson 1745 Softail Slim FLSL 2018 — Specifications

When Milwaukee decides to shake up its old habits, it doesn't go unnoticed. In 2018, Harley-Davidson restructured the entire Softail family with a thoroughness rarely seen from the American manufacturer, absorbing the survivors of the discontinued Dyna lineup in the process. The Slim, for its part, keeps its recognizable silhouette — that clean, stripped-down line that openly flirts with the Bobber aesthetic of the 1950s. But under the skin, it's a different machine altogether.

The 1745 cc Milwaukee-Eight radically changes the equation. This 45-degree V-twin produces 86 horsepower at 5,020 rpm, but it's above all its 145.1 Nm of torque available from 3,000 rpm that transforms the motorcycle's character. Where the old Twin Cam demanded a certain patience before finding its stride, the Milwaukee-Eight pulls hard and early, with a smoothness that even Harley purists can no longer hold against it. Four valves per cylinder, a 10:1 compression ratio, a 100 mm bore and 111.1 mm stroke: the specs speak of an engine designed for low-end grunt and torque, not for tickling the 170 km/h top speed mark — even if the machine gets there.

The real masterstroke comes from the chassis. The tubular steel frame was redesigned from the ground up, with fewer welds, fewer components, and a 17 kg reduction on the scales. At 304 kg fully fueled, the Slim remains an imposing machine, but this weight loss is no cosmetic exercise. Rigidity improves, as does steering response. The rear suspension moves to a single shock tucked beneath the seat, invisible from the outside, reinforcing the hardtail illusion central to Softail DNA. Up front, the 49 mm telescopic fork with twin check valves — already proven on the Touring models — handles road imperfections adequately without turning the experience into a workout.

The Slim sets itself apart from its Softail siblings through its deliberate dark accents: black-finish spoke wheels, fork, and Hollywood handlebar all treated in the same tone. It's a detail, but it matters. Facing an Indian Scout Bobber or a Royal Enfield Super Meteor, the positioning is clear: the Slim isn't trying to imitate — it claims direct lineage to an era when motorcycles had no fairings, no excess, just the essentials. The 660 mm seat height makes it accessible to a wide range of riders, and the six-speed belt drive requires virtually no daily maintenance.

At €20,160, the Slim speaks to a seasoned enthusiast who has already chosen a side. It's not a beginner's bike despite the low seat, nor is it a mile-muncher that swallows endless kilometers — its 18.9-liter tank sees to that. It's a machine for display and urban pleasure or short rides, driven by an engine finally worthy of the brand's reputation. Milwaukee took its time, but the work is done.