One of the most underrated motorcycle channels on RU-vid. Keep up the great work! Hopefully one day I can ride across the country and get a bike from you guys.
Cool bike, especially this first version Harley-Davidson Softail Slim FLS which produced with 2011 to 2017, this first version i like best, really wonderful bike, although the new version of Softail Slim FLSL 2018 - 2020 is also good. Thank you for the interesting video riview of this bike.
Matt, Thanks a bunch for all the great information. Your videos are what we as sales guys hope to be. I have been in the car business for 5 yrs. Sales Mgr for 2. Gave up SM position to sell bikes. No Harleys. My passion was the machines. Your information gave me the testicular fortitude to not only sell 12 bikes in my first month but also to unleash the true fire that I had to moderate in my youth. Your Milwaukee Eight video is the best info out there. Period. As a small token of thanks I'm going to send a Chip and a Tee from my store. Ride on brother and keep the videos coming. (2xl shirt)? Thanks Big Don
TX Camper It's awesome. Passion for bikes is a plus. But it's a people business, remember you can get more bikes, it's hard to get more people. It's not who you know ,its who knows you. Good luck. 🤘
Thanks for your honesty. I was considering a slim as I'm 70 and looking to go a little lighter and more maneuverable. My last Harley was a 2017 streetglide which was becoming a bit harder to maneuver around the garage and driveway. After watching this I think a dyna might be a better choice now. Thanks again.
Outstanding review. A lot of reviews don't get to the questions that people who are really interested in these bikes are going to have, this one does. Keep up the excellent work.
Great video Matt, nailed it on what you said about the Slim. I'm 5'9" 210lbs & 42yr old. My 16 Slim S is my first H-D. I love it because of its old school looks & its all back out. Thanks for the good 411 on H-D.. 👍🏻 O an its cool that you got your go pro back there are good people out there.. lol 🙏 Ride safe Matt.
Just watched almost all your videos and I wanted to thank you about your work on this channel. It is very interesting to watch it and to get your point of view on all the HD bikes. I ain't owner of one of these wonder yet but eventually one day and your videos are so helpful to get the general idea of each models. And I know most of my friend here in France like it to ! So Matt great job again and thank you !
Your review was right on. I have a slim and it's been a great bike. I like how you point out the good and bad and that's been my experience as well. I'm considering upgrading in the next yr and maybe moving on to a BMW gs 1200 due to changing riding needs. Would be cool if you could review other brands. Your reviews are great and I really enjoy them. thanks.
I've got a 2016. Do love the denim primer look of the 2017. Looks like a bike should look. Have bags and a duffel that slides over a simple wire sissy bar. That and optional cruise control and an air cushion are good for long rides, like down to the Smoky Mts. from Madison WI and back.
very very honest review ,,, covered all the main points and not tried to rip people off by saying one bike fits all sizes and experience ,, now the m8 slim is here with better ground and lean angle clearance i prefer the newer model = but which do i buy ???
My dad grew up in Vietnam riding motorcycles. He came to the USA admiring Harley's but didn't think he could ever fit one since he is 5'2. He sat on my FXDWG and there was no way he could ride with the seat height and the forward controls. I took him to the dealership and when he sat on the Softail Slim, he knew it was for him. It was a PERFECT fit.
I tested this bike at one of the demo days in Kansas City and this bike is fantastic. I rode the military schemed version and not only did it look bad ass but it has one of the best riding positions on this size of bike. Loved it.
Another great video Matt! When will you be doing the video you mentioned previously about the different chassis types? That'd be great! Keep 'em coming! Dan :)
Great video review . I just returned from a 2675 mile round trip ride out to New Mexico on my 2016 "Slim". I am 6' and 225 lbs. No windshield and the only add on for the trip was a Mustang solo seat and a rear flat rack for the duffle bag. I did put a set of 4" risers with a set back to make up for my height on a low bike.There are other Harleys that may ride a little better and corner tighter but this bike is no slouch and it looks damn cool, too. I absolutely love it.
Wow I'm the same height and weight... gonna take an hour trip soon with no windshield but if you can do that many miles without then then I'm fine lol. Got some hard cover saddlebags coming in and gonna swap the seat for a sundowner maybe. Little simple mods nothing crazy as I wanna keep the original look.
Just found your channel. I like how honest you are in your reviews. Just facts. I was thrilled to find this review. I just put a deposit on a slim. Hope I like it!
@andyluu692 I’m 5’8” myself and ride a 2019 Softail Slim. It fits me perfectly. I put a 1” lowering kit on it which really makes it low, but that was for looks, not to make it better fit me. I’ve got the denim red one and man, these Slims attract a lot of attention when on the road. Cheers!
The off-bike observer perspective is great. You make that bike look like a little toy... but you look comfortable on the Street Glide. Very good for showing an important aspect of the bike. I'm a bigger guy myself, so I would stay far away from this bike... even though it looks really great. I ride a Road King which can look just a cool and be functional too. Great video as always Matt. You actually might want to create a vid of the off-bike observer perspective for a couple of the other bikes you've already reviewed: lowrider S.... for example. And maybe show a smaller rider on the bike too. I know it all takes your time, but it would really be a service to us and would be appreciated. Question: do California bikes have to have extra emission controls etc. than bikes sold in other states? Thanks.
charles dickens thanks man. Yes, CA bikes have additional emissions equipment like charcoal canisters and catalytic converters. On this model I believe there is a cat in the muffler.
nice.... im thinking about getting this one. What did u pay if ya dont mind.lancasterhd.com/inventory/21889/2017-harley-davidson-softail-fls-softail-slim
Once again great video Matt! My wife rides a softail slim S army green with the star and she loves it! She says it handles much better than her sportster did because of the lower center of gravity and she really likes the standard ABS. She has been riding now for about 5 years and can now keep up with me on my CVO Breakout, although I still have to wait for her in the twisty because of her floor boards scrapping, LOL! Have to agree with you if your over 6ft this bike is not comfortable for any length of time, the few times she has let me ride it feels like my knees are almost touching my elbows, she is only five three. It is a very fun bike!
Few questions but first thank you for the very informative video! Just got a 2012 softail slim with less than 15 k miles. I'm 6 foot 225 with a bulky powerlifting frame, love it. Other Harley riders at work compliment it too. Still new to bikes but I noticed when you took off and shifted into 1st... there was a pop. Normal I assume? Another is the ABS flashing when I start it. Normal? And the gas Guage is slow to rise on this thing. Normal? Please and thank you may have more follow up questions lol
Hey Matt wanted to say great review and you definitely hit very important key points on this bike. Also was a bike that I requested for review which was awesome to watch little alone this is the exact same bike I just purchased about a month ago and just clocked in 1k miles and loved every mile on it. Wish I had more miles on it but Chicago weather isn't the best right now. Planning on some long trips on it but for sure ordering a new seat on it, thinking of the mustang with the backrest for it. Thanks again for being so detailed on these reviews and not cutting them short and keep these videos coming!
Great video, as always. I always seem to learn something new. I was actually not going to consider a Harley after the experience at my local dealer. I think they did their best to explain the different classes within the line up but I came away with more questions then I went in with. After watching your reviews, it has helped me understand what bikes would best fit me and the type of riding I want to do. In fairness to the local dealer, as a newer rider you can't always answer all the questions because your still in the process of figuring out what type of riding you will be doing.
Thanks for another great review Matt! I have a Slim S that I picked up in FL as a retirement present but now I'm in the middle Australia. I'm wondering if I should spend the cash to get it imported here. If not, looks like I'm going to drop it off in Riverside, CA at my father in-law's place. He's an old school biker. Cheers from the land down under, keep up the great work. I'll come visit the next time I'm in Cali.
Hey Matt awesome videos! Absolutely love the detail that you go into on all the bikes. I am new to riding and planning on checking out and sitting on some bike over the weekend but I don't know what would be the right one for me. I'm 6 foot 5 and I weight around 280, and my legs are pretty long, looking into the softail bikes or fourty eight sportster, what would you recommend for my first bike? Harley Davidson is definently what I've always wanted but I don't wanna get something that looks too small for me if you know what I mean
Thank you Matt, great video and review as always! I am a short guy, currently using softail slim and want to step up on touring models. A model video/review like Ultra limited low and your advices to short rides who wants to go for touring models (which model we should choose etc.) will be amazing. Thanks in advance.
Thanks! This is a good video with very useful information. I’m an inexperienced rider looking for his first bike. I really love the looks of the softail slim but at 6.2 and 200 pounds you would not recommend it, would you?
such a gorgeous, clean ride, I love these models to death especially that electric blue metallic that was...last year? Or was it 2015? either way definitely high on the cool scale! great vids as always Matt.
Hi Matt - great video. Very informative as always. One question: when did the slim (that is, with a Milwaukee 8 power plant) go with two sparkplugs per cylinder? This 2017 model looks like it has a single plug per cylinder, is that correct? Thanks and keep up the great work.
Hi Matt, great video as usual, really enjoy watching them over here in the UK. I know you have done kind of an 'introduction to' video of the Low Rider S but would it be possible to give it the full in depth Laidlaw treatment please ? Really interested in the bike and with the new off bike perspective you are doing it really helps big guys (of which I am one) to get an idea of the bike. Many thanks and keep up the great work, best Harley vids on RU-vid for sure.
Excellent review of the Slim. You cover info missed by other reviewers. I have owned seven Harleys covering the Touring down thru the Sportster models and recently boughtan 883 Superlow and without going into a lot of detail riding on the highway (including twolanes) at speeds of 50 mph plus is completely unsatisfactory. With only five speeds, the engine sounds and feels as if its ready to self-destruct and the ride is frightening, The Slim seems like the perfect fit in all regards. I am wondering what a set of Street Cannonswould sound like and what tuning measures are required if any. Thank you for your review.
Hey Matt, great review! I currently ride a 48 and I'd like to update to a bike with a smoother ride and larger fuel capacity. I love the look of the slim would you recommend it to someone in my situation?
Is there a reason they didn't keep the 110 in play? Or will they bring out an S model and through it back in? May have been explained in video just wasn't able to watch the full length of video. Thanks Matt and great video as always.
your videos are extremely informative, almost makes me want to come down from the Sacramento area to buy my first HD from you. Lol. two questions. when does the HD model year start? when will the Milwaukee mill come standard, or on all the other models?
Matt, nice bike. Like you I am too big for that one. I do have a question about the cylinder key if no security. Is the key (cylinder key only) specific to the bike? Would it be likely that someone could get a different cylinder key and access your bike?
Matt another great review. On the fence with the color... reminds of primer. That said which is easier to care for matte or gloss finish? I have a black denim finish, but I always thought you had to be more careful with a matte finish.
Mitch Clyman you can't buff out small scratches off the denim like gloss paint. If you're someone who doesn't wash it all the time then the denim stays looking good with dust better. No swirls or hairline scratches in the denim too. You just can't do paint repair work very well for deeper stuff on the denim
Great description of the bike Matt. Really enjoy your videos. Thinking of trading in my 2017 Street glide for an Ultra Limited. what's the main difference between the two bikes? Thank you. Take care.
Matt Laidlaw I'm 5'7 325lbs which Harley should I be looking at for my awkward size lol. I'm basically a square. I was looking at the Softail Slim the 2018 model, has 110ft lb torque which I guess would help acceleration for big guys. I'm in Arizona and most of the driving would be 40mph streets and light highway use.
Hey there Matt...Thanks for this vid on the Softail Slim. I am looking at an S here in Pa. I am only 5.5" so my options are limited. The Slim has a pretty good feel and my only issue is with the kickstand HaHa. Thanks again for another great Harley Vid Sir.
Yes, on a long ride I will start to feel cramped pretty quickly. You'll feel the urge to stretch out. Plus the rider profile on the bike will look kinda bad as well. As the saying goes "A monkey F&^King a football" I call myself a Grasshopper on a mid-control bike like that
I have a question. I got to ride the Heritage and Breakout yesterday. Both had controlled and plush suspensions and really good front brakes when moving down the road or in corners. For whatever reason, the Heritage dove like a seal when applying the front brake. The Breakout compressed like any bike, but its speed of compression felt way more proportional to the braking force and it didn't go nearly as deep. If I understand it right, all these things except the Fatbob use the dual bending valve fork tech. So are they using a different spring rate in the Heritage? Different viscosity fork oil? Could the windshield's weight change it that much? Something is definitely different here.
What are some of the differences on bikes that are in/being sold in California due to heavier environmental restrictions? Also, why does Harley not at least offer the option to have full exhausts already installed from the factory? (As opposed to the 2 part header and muffler setup.) Thanks for the concise reviews.
Any chance we can get a video with tips/tricks to keeping the denim paint in tip top shape? Just picked up a denim black FXDF (partially because of your review of it) and would love your expertise.
Sweet, thanks! hope Harley starts sponsoring your videos soon or something so you can get that camera crew. I doubt I'm the only person who got into Harley's culture/history because of you. Can't wait to start putting miles on my new fat bob.
love the videos! new rider looking for first bike. at 6'2 200lbs don't want a sportster I'll out grow, looking at street Bob, low rider or or low rider s. recommendations? also not local love near daytona beach
Hey Matt ..any chance we wil get a rewiew of the new 2018 Softail Slim....still missing the Softail Slim S Model olive green with the 110. Is the Milwaukee 8 better or anydiffrent the the 107 on the new Slim? All confused now lol well, still trying to transition from crotch rockets to Harley:) Gotta do my homework. Love your reviews! Keep it up!
The Fatbob is a Dyna and the Slim is a Softail. Me personally because of my size and riding preference I would pick the Fatbob. That's just me though. The Slim is a great bike.
A bit too quiet but I guess the epa is to blame for that. I love the overall look, looks like a Harley should, unlike the pimpmobile Breakout with the sissified lacy wheels and low profile tires that look like the GHETTO reehuums everybody is putting on their cars and trucks. Never thought Harley would go in that direction. I like this one, the floorboards and heal and toe shifter would have to go, but otherwise I would love to have one. With aftermarket pipes of course.
I work overseas for the military and can't test ride the motorcycle. I was getting ready to buy and ship this motorcycle to my location. I'm 6 foot 2 inches. After listening to your review it sounds like the motorcycle is to small for me.
helo Matt, I have dream about Fatboy. but I hard there is machine have more hot when you go for only 100 km it need cool. after that its again for ride. Is it really true? because I am going to buy this bike in 2018 so plz suggest me whether I got this or I buy harley davidson another model.
I bought this bike and I'm 6'3". I put 12" apes on it and it makes it way more comfortable. While I truly love this bike, after 6 months, I'm looking at a road glide, probably just because of my size. I would also add that if you plan on carrying anything, the luggage options for this bike are limited as well. @mattlaidlaw I'm ready for a trade
