With its unique, minimalist style, the Harley-Davidson Softail has conquered a lot of fans. The motorcycle is now available in Slim configuration, which is basically a stripped down version of the base model.

Among the features offered by the new Harley-Davidson Softail Slim you’ll find black-rimmed wheels, round black air cleaner cover, Hollywood-style handlebars and fat chromed front forks. The vintage look of the motorcycle is underlined by its chopped rear fender and the low slung profile.

But what makes this bike truly desirable is its twin cam 96B counter-balanced engine. This unit has evolved on the legacy of the Flathead, Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, Evolution and Twin Cam 88 engines that made Harley Davidson’s motorcycles famous. The engine has a 1,688 cc displacement and rewards you with a peak torque of 132 Nm achieved at 3,250 rpm.

Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim.

2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
  • Engine/Motor: Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103B
  • Torque: 97 @ 3250
  • Transmission: 6-Speed
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Overview

The 2013 Softail Slim FLS blends raw, minimalistic 1940s bobber styling with up-to-date old school minimalism. The Slim offers tons of stripped down attitude, fat features, including black-rimmed wheels, round black air cleaner cover, Hollywood-style handlebars, and fat chromed front forks, as well as raw, minimalistic finishes throughout. Its chopped rear fender and narrow rear profile adds to the Softail Slim's long, lean vintage chopper look. The Big V-Twin Cam engine gives the Slim FLS the power punch you need to crush those hills or leave traffic passed and behind. The Softail FLS sports blacked out features and raw finishes for a no-nonsense attitude that recalls classic bobbers of the 1940; the engine, rims, air-cover, headlamp and more are all blacked out. The H-D Slim rides with confidence-inspiring handling, at low and high speeds, and its light design makes putting it on or lifting it off its easy jiffy stand quick and easy. The Harley Slim is a great value with muscular, minimalist styling and powerful performance packed into a bike that's affordable. And if this bike isn't what you're looking for, check out other Harley-Davidson custom motorcycles, like the Softail Blackline FXS, Sportster Forty-Eight XL1200X, the Dyna Fat Bob FXDF, or the new Sportster Seventy-Two XL1200V. Harley-Davidson is the leader in fat custom, dark custom and bobber style bikes and you're sure to find one that's perfect for you.

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.

Narrow Rear Profile

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

Retro Air Cleaner Cover

The gloss-black retro-style air cleaner cover gives the Softail® Slim™ model's minimalist, blacked-out Twin Cam 103 Engine a raw old school look—it's 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.

Premium Paint

Up to two times thicker than the competition, custom quality paint comes standard on all Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Clearcoat layering up to five mils deep. Bigger metal flakes. Unique effects. Skimping simply is not in our vocabulary.

Hand Finished Fuel Tank

All Harley-Davidson® fuel tanks are finished by hand—that's what makes them stand out from the competition. Their seamless design and unmatched style are unique among all motorcycles on the road. The tanks are one of the first and last things people notice when they lay their eyes on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle—so we make it worth their time.

Engine

Twin Cam 96B™ Engine Heritage

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 Twin Cam 96B™ counter-balanced 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® 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.

Twin Cam 96B™ Engine Innovation

Fire up the air-cooled, rigid-mounted Twin Cam 96B™ counter-balanced engine and feel the low-end torque unleashed for a smooth ride. 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 Six-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 couldn't feel better.

Pure Harley-Davidson Styling

Feast your eyes on the Twin Cam 96B™ counter-balanced 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 on any other bike. The engine features black powder-coated cylinders with grey heads and is topped off with black rocker covers and an oval air cleaner cover for a tough vintage Harley-Davidson attitude. Rigid-mounted and air-cooled, the 1584cc Twin Cam 96B™ engine provides increased power, smooth performance and a maintenance-free built-in primary auto chain tensioner. 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 Twin Cam 96B™ engine makes an ironclad statement to holding on to what's right and staying true to what satisfies the rider.

Six-Speed Cruise Drive®

You want a ride that rumbles—not begs for mercy—when you lean on it a little. The Six-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.

Technology

Anti-Lock Brakes

When it comes to the Softail® Slim™ with optional ABS, 'stopping power' has a double meaning. The components of our ABS are tastefully hidden within the wheel hub, so you'll still turn heads with clean, streamlined design. More importantly, though, you get certainty in the saddle knowing your bike's going to behave when you need it. Offered as a part of the 'Security Package'

H-D Smart Security System

The factory installed next-generation security system features a hands-free fob that automatically arms and disarms the vehicle electronic security functions as you approach and walk away from the bike. Stick the fob on your ignition key ring and let it do all the work. It's this attention to details and security that make Harley-Davidson® motorcycles unique. Offered as a part of the 'Security Package' (which includes Anti-Lock Brakes).

Artfully Hidden Technology

Harley-Davidson leverages the latest in technology without compromising style and function. That means we hide electronics. The whole wiring harness is skillfully routed behind the jewels of the bike—the tank, engine and all the other eye-popping features you want to see. It's just another way The Motor Company goes the extra mile to give its bikes that premium, top-of-the-line fit and finish.

Intuitive Controls

Hand controls on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle are incredibly intuitive. The turn signals are self-canceling and, based on the speed and angle of the motorcycle, they know how long to stay on. Engaging the controls quickly becomes second nature so you can focus less on turning off your signal and more on basking in the freedom of the ride.

Handling

Engineered for Easy Handling

The Softail® Slim™ motorcycle may come on heavy, but its 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.

Dunlop® Tyres

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 tyre with a three-ply polyester casing and two fiberglass belts. The back cruiser tyre 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.

Tuned to Be Ridden

Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are different from any other bike out on the road. There's a balance to them. The steering, the maneuverability—it's all in concert. And each Harley-Davidson® model is tuned differently to create a unique riding experience for each individual no matter which bike they swing their leg over. Let's face it, we didn't get to where we are by being like everyone else.

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.

Engine Idle Temperature Management Strategy

Our motorcycles are built to be ridden. A lot. So that means that rider comfort is top of mind. Always. With the Engine Idle Temperature Management Strategy (EITMS) feature, the motorcycle automatically cuts fuel and fire from rear cylinder when idling, which helps reduce engine heat felt by rider and passenger. This feature can easily be turned on by your dealer.

Seat Engineering and Design

The seat is home for Harley-Davidson® motorcycle riders. They want a seat that has unique style without sacrificing comfort. Because of that, Harley-Davidson invests a lot of time in researching, designing and testing seats so that every bike has just the right saddle.

Specifications

Engine

Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103B™

Bore

98.4 mm

Stroke

111.1 mm

Displacement

1,688 cc

Compression Ratio

9.6:1

Fuel System

Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Length

2,350 mm

Seat Height, Unladen

650 mm

Ground Clearance

114 mm

Rake (steering head) (deg)

31

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

305 kg

Weight, In Running Order

318 kg

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

Exhaust

Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with slash-cut mufflers

Wheels, Optional Style Type

N/A

Wheels, Front Type

Black, Laced Steel

Wheels, Rear Type

Black, Laced Steel

Brakes, Caliper Type

4-piston front and 2-piston rear

Engine Torque Testing Method

EEC/95/1

Engine Torque

132 Nm

Engine Torque (rpm)

3,250

Lean Angle, Right (deg.)

24

Lean Angle, Left (deg.)

24.9


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