Motorcycle User Reviews - 2014 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim By Walter F. Kern
This is a user review of my 2014 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim. I had been riding a Honda Shadow Aero for some years. Then I made the mistake of sitting on a Softail Slim. The rider triangle is nearly identical to the Aero. At 5'-1" I had to make the same modifications to both bikes: a reach seat and pullback risers. I also had to switch out the air intake on both bikes to make room for my knee. The Slim is quite a bit heavier—700 lbs. wet—but compared side by side with the Aero, is shorter and lower, making for a pretty compact package. Sporting the Twin Cam 103B counterbalanced engine, it has power to spare but doesn't shake like H-Ds of old. The OEM exhaust note is deep but quite subdued (which I kind of like). I do wish the throttle response was a little tighter. You have to roll it on 1/4 turn before it goes. The brake and clutch also need a pretty firm pull which is difficult with my small hands. The 6-speed transmission is a little clunky (and God knows how you find neutral) but positive. You don't really need 6th until you're going at least 70 so the ride is really relaxed at higher speeds. It handles quite well—the skinny rear tire helps there—but if you're into speed riding on twisties you'll need to get a different bike. I scraped the floorboards the second day I had it. A sports bike it isn't but then I'm never in that big a hurry to get anywhere. The styling is pretty minimalist with chopped fenders and a solo seat but I grew up riding bobbed flat track bikes so I'm digging it. I have the mysterious red sunglow color and it's absolutely gorgeous. This is a great bike for shorter folks. I'm loving it. -- Donna Shinaut User Reviews for Other Harley-Davidson Models
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© 2015 Walter F. Kern. All rights reserved.
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