In case you're digging straight into the 2015 softail slim specs to see issue bike belongs in your garage, you're taking a look at one of Harley's most successful tries at capturing that old-school "bobber" vibe without the vintage head ache. It's a bike that looks such as it rolled right out of a 1940s garage, yet under all that blacked-out metal, it's a modern machine that will holds its own on the highway.
The Softail Slim provides always been a bit of a cult favorite mainly because it's stripped lower. It doesn't have the bulky fairings of the touring bike or maybe the flashy chrome of a Fat Boy. It's lean, it's reduced, and it's meant for people who just want to trip without all the extra fluff. Let's have a closer appearance at why is the particular 2015 model mark.
The guts of the Bike: The Twin Cam 103B
You can't talk about this particular bike without talking about the engine. The 2015 Softail Slim is powered simply by the Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103B engine. For these who aren't gearheads, that "B" appears for balanced. Since the engine is rigid-mounted to the frame (unlike the rubber-mounted engines in the Touring line), Harley added counter-balancers to keep your teeth from rattling away of your head at a stoplight.
The 103B is a 1, 690cc powerhouse. It's got that classic Harley thump, but it's surprisingly smooth once you get moving. When you look with the 2015 softail slim specs for torque, you're looking at regarding ninety-seven. 4 ft-lb from 3, 000 REVOLTION PER MINUTE . What will which means that in the real world? It indicates when the light turns green, you've got plenty associated with "get up and go" without having to dance on the shifter. It's built with regard to low-end grunt, which is exactly what a person want for cruising around town or even hitting backroads.
It uses Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), so you don't have to mess with a choke on cold mornings. Just thumb the particular starter and this settles into that familiar idle. The transmission is really a 6-speed Cruise Drive, which usually is great because it gives you the nice, tall best gear for that interstate. It keeps the RPMs low so the bike isn't screaming at seventy five mph.
Measurements and That Low-Slung Profile
One particular of the biggest selling points of the 2015 Softail Slim is exactly how approachable it is. If you're a shorter rider or simply somebody who likes feeling "in" the bike rather than "on" it, the measurements here are going to make you happy.
The seat height is a mere 23. 8 ins (laden). Which is incredibly reduced. Most people, even all those with a smaller inseam, can easily get both feet level on the pavement. This makes the bike feel course of action more manageable than its weight might suggest. Speaking of pounds, the 2015 Softail Slim isn't specifically a bicycle; it weighs in from about 671 pounds dry , and closer to 700 pounds once you fill it with fuel and oil.
However, because the center of gravity is therefore low, it doesn't feel as if a 700-pound beast when you're picking it up off the kickstand. The overall length is 92. five inches, and this has a wheel base of 64. 4 inches. It's a long, lean machine that will looks fantastic parked outside a coffee shop or even a dive club.
Suspension and Handling
Right now, let's be true for a second. The Softail body is made to look like a "hardtail" through the old days—where there was no rear suspension system at all. In order to achieve that look, Harley hides the shocks horizontally beneath the frame.
While it looks cool, you have to remember that will this design restricts the suspension vacation. You get about 3. four inches of vacation in the front plus only 1. 7 inches in the back . If you're riding on glass-smooth pavement, it seems like a dream. If you hit a massive pothole, your own spine is going to know about it. It's the price you pay for that criticized look.
The ground clearance is definitely also pretty limited at 4. 5 ins . This isn't a bike regarding carving canyons in high speeds. You'll find yourself scratching the floorboards when you lean as well hard into the corner. But after that again, if you're buying a Softail Slim, you're most likely more interested in a relaxed cruise than dragging knees in the hairpin turn.
Wheels, Tires, and Braking
The particular 2015 Softail Slim rolls on Black Metal Laced wheels , which really finishes that vintage bobber aesthetic. They're 16 inches in the front and the particular rear. Harley proceeded to go having a "skinny" back tire compared in order to some of their particular other models—a MU85B16. This narrower tire actually makes the bike handle the bit more naturally and helps it suggestion into turns the little easier than the bikes with massive 240mm rear tires.
Regarding stopping power, you've got a 4-piston fixed caliper in the front and the 2-piston floating caliper in the rear. In 2015, Harley made ABS an optional upgrade . If you're taking a look at an utilized one today, it's worth checking if the original proprietor ticked that container. Having ABS on a heavy easy riding bike is a nice back-up to have when some teen in a Camry pulls out ahead.
The Aesthetic: Hollywood Bars plus Chopped Fenders
Beyond the 2015 softail slim specs , what really draws people to this particular bike is the styling. It's got the "Hollywood" handlebars—those wide, cross-braced bars that were well-known in the forties and 50s. They give you a wide grip and the very commanding experience on the front end.
The fenders are chopped (or "bobbed"), which exposes more of the tires and gives it a custom made look right through the factory. There's hardly any chrome upon this bike. Many of the motor covers, the headlamp bucket, and the rims are completed in a high gloss or denim dark. It's a moody, understated look which has aged incredibly nicely. Even ten many years later, a 2015 Slim doesn't appearance "dated"—it just looks like a classic Harley.
The "Cat's Eye" console on the fuel tank is another great touch. It houses the speedometer plus a small digital screen that may display you your gear indicator, RPMs, plus a clock. It's minimalist but functional.
Fuel Economy and Capacity
In the event that you're planning upon doing some light visiting, you'll be happy to learn the Slim has a 5-gallon fuel tank . For a bike that appears this stripped lower, that's a decent amount of gas.
In terms associated with fuel economy, the 2015 softail slim specs recommend typically about 42 mile per gallon . Of program, your mileage may vary depending on how much you like to twist the particular throttle. With the 5-gallon tank, you're taking a look at a theoretical range of around two hundred miles, but many riders start looking for a station throughout the 160-mile mark simply to be safe. It's definitely enough to get you through a lengthy afternoon of operating without constantly worrying about in which the following pump is.
Who Is This particular Bike For?
The 2015 Softail Slim is the specific kind associated with machine for any particular kind of rider. It's perfect intended for the one who wants a "big twin" Harley but doesn't would like the massive footprint of a Road Full or a Heritage Softail. It's for the particular rider who amount style which "cool factor" over long comfort or high-speed performance.
It's also a great selection for newer riders who are stepping up to their initial heavy cruiser. The low seat elevation builds a lot of self-confidence. You never feel as if the bike will probably tip over from a stop because you can get this type of solid plant along with your feet.
Things to Look Out Regarding
If you're shopping for one of these simple on the utilized market, there aren't many "gotchas. " The Twin Camera 103 is a very reliable engine. By 2015, Harley had ironed out most of the particular issues that affected earlier versions of the Twin Cam.
However, always check for the essentials. Consider the tires—if they're the initial 2015 silicone, they're way past their expiration day and need in order to be swapped immediately, regardless of how much tread will be left. Also, listen for any odd top-end noise. A little "Harley clatter" is definitely normal, but everything rhythmic or noisy might mean the bike wasn't well-maintained.
The 2015 Softail Slim is a bike that holds its value nicely because it's therefore timeless. It's an easy, honest motorcycle that provides a raw using experience. It doesn't have traction handle, ride modes, or a fancy infotainment program. It's just you, a big V-twin engine, and the road. As well as for a lot of all of us, that's precisely what the motorcycle should be.