Breaking Down the 2015 Softail Slim Specs and Features
In the event that you're digging straight into the 2015 softail slim specs to see issue bike belongs in your garage, you're looking at one of Harley's most successful tries at capturing that old-school "bobber" vibe with no vintage headache. It's a bike that looks such as it rolled right out of a 1940s garage, but under all that will blacked-out metal, it's a contemporary machine that holds its own on the highway.
The Softail Slim provides always been a cult favorite since it's stripped down. It doesn't possess the bulky fairings of the touring bike or maybe the flashy chrome of the Fat Boy. It's lean, it's reduced, and it's meant for people who simply want to ride without all the particular extra fluff. Let's have a closer appearance at why is the particular 2015 model tick.
The guts of the Bike: The particular Twin Cam 103B
You can't talk about this particular bike without bringing up the engine. The particular 2015 Softail Slim is powered by the Air-cooled, Twin Cam 103B engine. For these who aren't gearheads, that "B" appears for balanced. Because the engine is rigid-mounted to the body (unlike the rubber-mounted engines in the particular Touring line), Harley added counter-balancers to keep your teeth from rattling out there of your mind at a stoplight.
The 103B is really a 1, 690cc powerhouse. It's got that classic Harley thump, but it's surprisingly smooth once you get going. Whenever you look at the 2015 softail slim specs for torque, you're looking at about 97. 4 ft-lb in 3, 000 REVOLTION PER MINUTE . What does that mean in the particular real world? It indicates when the lighting turns green, you've got plenty of "get up and go" without needing to dancing on the shifter. It's built with regard to low-end grunt, that is exactly what a person want for touring around town or hitting backroads.
It uses Electronic Sequential Port Gasoline Injection (ESPFI), therefore you don't have in order to mess with a choke on cold mornings. Just thumb the starter and it settles into that will familiar idle. The particular transmission is really a 6-speed Cruise Drive, which usually is great because it gives you the nice, tall top gear for your interstate. It keeps the particular RPMs low therefore the bike isn't screaming at seventy five mph.
Measurements and That Low-Slung Profile
A single of the greatest selling points associated with the 2015 Softail Slim is how approachable it is. When you're a smaller rider or simply somebody who likes sensation "in" the bicycle rather than "on" it, the measurements listed below are going to make you very happy.
The seat elevation is a simple 23. 8 inches (laden). That is incredibly low. Many people, even these with a smaller inseam, can easily get both feet toned on the pavement. This makes the bike feel way more manageable than its weight may suggest. Speaking of pounds, the 2015 Softail Slim isn't precisely a bicycle; it weighs in with about 671 pounds dried out , and closer to 700 pounds once you fill up it with fuel and oil.
However, due to the fact the center of gravity is therefore low, it doesn't feel like a 700-pound beast when you're picking it up off the kickstand. The overall length is 92. 5 inches, and it has a wheelbase of 64. 4 inches. It's a long, lean machine that will looks fantastic left outside a cafe or even a dive pub.
Suspension plus Handling
Right now, let's be genuine for a second. The Softail body is designed to look such as a "hardtail" through the old days—where there was no rear suspension system at all. To achieve that appearance, Harley hides the shocks horizontally beneath the frame.
While it appears cool, you possess to remember that will this design restricts the suspension travel. You receive about 3. 4 inches of journey within the front and only 1. 7 ins in the rear . If you're riding on glass-smooth pavement, it feels like a dream. In case you hit a massive pothole, your spine will know about it. It's the price a person pay money for that criticized look.
The ground clearance is usually also pretty limited at 4. 5 inches . This isn't a bike with regard to carving canyons at high speeds. You'll find yourself scraping the floorboards when you lean too hard into a corner. But then again, if you're buying a Softail Slim, you're most likely keen on a relaxed cruise than pulling knees in a hairpin turn.
Wheels, Tires, plus Braking
The particular 2015 Softail Slim rolls on Black Metal Laced wheels , which really finishes that vintage bobber aesthetic. They're 16 inches both in the particular front and the particular rear. Harley went with a "skinny" rear tire compared to some of their other models—a MU85B16. This narrower tire actually makes the bike handle a bit more predictably helping it suggestion into turns a new little easier as opposed to the way the bikes with massive 240mm back tires.
Intended for stopping power, you've got a 4-piston fixed caliper in the front and a 2-piston floating caliper in the rear. Within 2015, Harley produced AB MUSCLES an optional update . If you're looking at an utilized one today, it's worth checking when the original owner ticked that package. Having ABS upon a heavy cruiser is a good back-up to have when some teenager in a Camry pulls out ahead.
The Cosmetic: Hollywood Bars plus Chopped Fenders
Beyond the 2015 softail slim specs , what really draws people to this particular bike is the styling. It's obtained the "Hollywood" handlebars—those wide, cross-braced bars that were popular in the forties and 50s. They will give you a broad grip and the very commanding feel within the front finish.
The fenders are chopped (or "bobbed"), which exposes more of the particular tires and provides it a custom look right from the factory. There's hardly any chrome upon this bike. Most of the engine covers, the headlight bucket, and the rims are completed in a shine or denim dark. It's a moody, understated look which has aged incredibly properly. Even ten many years later, a 2015 Slim doesn't appearance "dated"—it just looks like a vintage Harley.
The "Cat's Eye" console on the fuel tank is another wonderful touch. It homes the speedometer and 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 on doing some light touring, you'll be pleased to find out the Slim has a 5-gallon fuel container . For the bike that looks this stripped lower, that's a respectable amount of gas.
In terms associated with fuel economy, the 2015 softail slim specs recommend an average of about 42 mpg . Of training course, your mileage may vary depending on just how much you including to twist the throttle. With a 5-gallon tank, you're looking at a theoretical selection of around 200 miles, but many riders start looking for a station around the 160-mile mark in order to be safe. It's definitely enough to get you through a lengthy afternoon of operating without constantly worrying about where the next pump is.
Who Is This Bike For?
The 2015 Softail Slim is the specific kind of machine for the particular kind of rider. It's perfect intended for the person who wants the "big twin" Harley but doesn't desire the massive footprint of a Road Full or even 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 an excellent selection for newer motorcyclists who are upgrading to their first heavy cruiser. The particular low seat height builds a ton of confidence. You never seem like the bike will tip over with a stop because a person can get this kind of solid plant with your feet.
Things to Look Out Regarding
If you're shopping for one of these on the utilized market, there aren't many "gotchas. " The Twin Camera 103 is a very reliable engine. By 2015, Harley had ironed away most of the issues that plagued earlier versions of the Twin Cam.
However, check for the fundamentals. Look at the tires—if they're the initial 2015 plastic, they're way previous their expiration date and need to be swapped immediately, regardless of just how much tread is definitely left. Also, listen for any odd top-end noise. Just a little "Harley clatter" is definitely normal, but something rhythmic or noisy might mean the bike wasn't well-maintained.
The 2015 Softail Slim is really a bike that retains its value properly because it's therefore timeless. It's an easy, honest motorcycle that delivers a raw driving 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 particular road. As well as for a lot of all of us, that's precisely what a motorcycle needs to be.