Comparo Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Slim S

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New life

Recently unveiled, the 2016 Harley Davidson range is darker as desired by the Dark Custom program. A contemporary underground movement that the Milwaukee manufacturer wants to establish as an art of living and not just a trend of the moment. With the custom DNA of character symbolizing the American brand, the style office dresses its models in darkness. And on the Softails side, the heart is also more virile.

Drawing its origins from the original Harley style, the Softail Slim is based on the brand’s great innovation made in 1984: the Softail frame. This indeed allows the machines to regain an appearance of rigid frame construction, thanks to two shock absorbers hidden under the gearbox…. Appeared in 1990, the FLSTF known as "Fat Boy" was originally a stripped-down Heritage with solid wheels produced in limited series. The machine combines modernity and tradition, sporting new solid cast aluminum wheels (evoking the flanged wheels of the Lakesters).

Harley Softail Fat Boy S

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S

Now all equipped with the HO Twin Cam 103, Fat Boy and Softail Slim are available this year in S version…. For the first time in fact, the Wisconsin firm is equipping these two machines with a mechanism usually reserved for its ultra high-end CVO (Custom Vehicle Operation): the Screamin’Eagle Twin Cam 110…. What to give even more attraction to these two legends which was already not lacking. To get an idea, the launch of the 2016 vintage takes us to Barcelona.

Discovery

Sharing a common basis, the sisters differ in many ways. First of all aesthetically. In this matte olive green version, the Slim S unmistakably evokes the post-war era where many motorcycles delivered to the US Army were then diverted into stylish bobbers by their new owner. We immediately notice the dark shine of the machine, passed through the Dark Custom filter. A shiny black envelops the surfaces usually shiny, further reinforcing the military color. Low, authentic and stripped down, the aesthetic is based mainly on the big round headlight, the large 18.9-liter tank, crossed with a leather strap and followed by a single-seater seat. Truncated rear mudguard and spoke rim further streamline the line. These receive envelopes in 140 for the leading train and 150, only, on the opposite. Nothing ostentatious, just the essentials for bad boys.

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S Headlight

Another score for the Fat Boy S where the appearance is much more meaningful. However, in its Black Denim (mat black) livery, Dark Custom requires, the nasty American is less flashy. Here, too, the depth of obsidian replaces the shine of chrome. Slightly higher, double saddle, widened rear track and plunging mudguards, the "Fat" wants to be more massive. And above all, its solid rims, perforated around the periphery of so-called "bullet holes", give it a powerful visual. A feeling reinforced by its wide tires, 140 front and 200 rear.

The Fat Boy S High Ouput TwinCam 103

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S Twin Cam 110 engine

On the other hand, the sisters share the same mechanics. The overall finesse of the Slim S naturally sends the gaze to its new 1,802 cc block. This one sports, on the right side, an aStage 1 broadband broadcast to the mesh air intake. That of the Fat Boy S is of type Ventilator. The maxi-twin has its cylinder heads stamped with the prestigious Screamin’Eagle signature, mentioning the unique characteristics of the engine. From the Harley Davidson racing department, the air-cooled 45 ° long-stroke V-twin has a strong character. Double camshaft, high compression ratio, long-life valve lift as well as more aggressive ignition and injection programming make this the brand’s most demonstrative mechanic. To steer it, the gearbox is 6-speed, the last of which is of the overdrive type. The whole develops on the Slim S, 14.8 da.Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm and 14.6 da.Nm at 4,000 revolutions for the Fat Boy Yankee. Double silencers, matte black shotgun type running on the right side, capture its powerful breath. Indispensable, the final transmission is via a toothed belt.
To stop the more than three quintals of each of the sisters, a single four-piston front caliper clamps a 320 mm single-disc. The rear retarder, double pistons, clamps a 292 mm disc and ABS is standard on these two S-special versions.
As usual with Harley Davidson, the finish is appreciable, especially that of the painted surfaces and the materials used. Always a little visible, the sheathed electrical harness knows how to be discreet on these machines.

Top view of Softail Slim S

In the saddle

Between the two models, the height difference is small. Barely lower, the seat of the Slim S peaks at 65 cm when the Fat Boy S touches 69 cm. On the other hand, comfort question, the latter is also in the open sea, even for its passenger. Likewise, its cow horn handlebars are more easily gripped when the reinforced dragbar of the Slim S gives a slightly more manly position. We stretch our arms more to grasp the thick handles.

Commodos Fat Boy S

In a good cruiser, the footrests are large rubber-covered half-pipes. The position is natural, suitable for long trips.

On both machines, the reservoir supports the instrument panel. That of the Fat is logically larger but includes the same functionalities. The power is turned on by the central dial. A large analog tachometer covers the upper end, also incorporating a discreet LCD window. The latter displays, via a button on the left stalk, odometer, partial double, clock and a practical display combining tachometer and gear indicator engaged. It is difficult to read but practical.

Speedometer Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S

The whole is framed by the chrome gas cap and the fuel gauge. Finally, another push-button controls the speed regulator supplied as standard on these S versions.

Exhaust Fat Boy S

In the city

A big cough shakes the machines, clearing their tubing before rumbling amply. Crazy on demand, hectic, the soundtrack is one of the best of its kind. The first acceleration highlights the powerful creaminess of the Screamin’Eagle. The 110 cubic inch quickly takes the S on the main avenues of the Catalan capital. Well balanced, the American sisters glide with force roars in the urban flow. On these two vessels, it is impossible to go unnoticed. Sound and look appeal to passers-by, quick to unsheathe their smartphone.

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S

Clutch lever as gearbox do not show very smooth. Fortunately, we can count on the availability of the twin, full of torque and liking low revs. Pushing the block to the limit of apoplexy, we then abuse the charm of its syncopated mechanics.
Maneuvering around town is not a recommended exercise. Long and heavy, cruisers require a little care. And the mechanics heat up quickly, bordering on bearable in the Spanish summer and the density of traffic. Machines and pilots demand air and space.

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S on departmental

Motorway and expressways

The force of the Twincam 110 is fully released as soon as the horizon opens up. Rumbling, Slim S and Fat Boy S rush on the priced asphalt with an uncommon greed in this segment. The legal is quickly reached, allowing to appreciate the cruise control on long journeys. Beyond 120 or 130 km / h, the air pressure quickly becomes uncomfortable. All the more reason to appreciate the charm of a last long report, dedicated to listening to the Milwaukee twin. At constant speed, it becomes more muffled to accompany your long trips, but without forgetting to distill some essential vibrations. Stable and with good heading, cruisers are appreciated over the long haul. No difference on board between the two models, apart from a more noticeable comfort on the Fat with the thick seat.
To take advantage of a wider range of vocalizations, let’s take our two tenors to more singing roads.

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S on highway

Departmental

On the secondary network, the intermediate reports make the TwinCam play its favorite partition.
The howl of the eagle becomes metallic, demonstrating an unexpected sportiness in the revivals. Each acceleration is a pretext to listen to the wild melody of the two Harleys. The long Milwaukee race then powerfully wins the crew at the slightest twist of the handle.. After 4,000 revolutions, the revving is further accentuated, sharply sending the tachometer needle to trigger the breaker at 5,700 revolutions / minute.
As soon as the turns follow one another, the cruisers easily rock from side to side, showing a different behavior, however.. The most agile Slim S benefits from a narrow pneumatic mounting, where that of the Fat Boy S provides more inertia. But the latter has better ground clearance, the footrest plates scraping the asphalt a little later. We would almost like, on both, to benefit from more angle in order to take better part of the mechanical daunting. With its slight increase in length, the Fat Boy S does wonders in large curves. On his sister, we will appreciate a better availability of the couple at the exit of the turn.

HD Fat Boy S

Effectively tamed by a balanced cycle part, the size of the frames is still real, requiring a little restraint in dynamic piloting. Likewise, thea box is not very fast and the moving mass will call to order the most reckless during late braking. Nevertheless, decelerations are effective, especially when combining front and rear retarders and discreet ABS.
Progressive, the suspensions work flawlessly, smoothing out most asphalt defects. The biggest compressions are felt a little more sharply but the whole is very honest.

Harley-Davidson Slim S on the road

Part-cycle

More agile, the Slim S requires less effort on the handlebars. The Fat Boy S’s wide rear tire gives the steering more traction at low speeds. On the road, the difference is reduced but the more noticeable ease of the sleek cruiser is appreciated as soon as the road narrows. Not enough to sow the wicked of the family who benefits from 2 ° additional angle…

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S in forest

Braking

Little attack but progressive power with convincing strength, considering the generous dimensions of the machines. Standard ABS is a real plus if the rain surprises you. The rear brake is effective in tackling curves and effectively supports the front on heavy braking.

Fat Boy S brakes

Comfort / Duo

Without a doubt, the Fat Boy S is a powerful living room with appreciable ergonomics. Its thick foundations will take you far. On board the Slim S, the authentic is far from the spartan. Less enveloping, the single saddle remains comfortable but will make you grasp the dragbar aesthetic more firmly during acceleration ….

Softail Fat Boy S saddle

Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S saddle

Consumption

We could not judge precisely the thirst of our mounts. On the Road King CVO equipped with the same block, but heavier, the average was 6.5 liters per 100 km. If you are a player, then count 9 units per hecto-terminals.

Conclusion

Iconic, Slim S and Fat Boy S benefit this year from an undeniable mechanical improvement, greatly optimizing their approval. Packed with torque and seduction, the Screamin’Eagle Twin Cam 110 V-twin is a delight, delivering the best of the Motor Company. More racy, the Slim S cruiser is particularly attractive in its military color, smelling good after the war and the American Way of Life. More massive, the Fat Boy S allows, without options, the duo. Its solid wheels evoke dragsters, a feeling all the more real with its new block.
If their aesthetic does not manage to make you choose one of them, know that the Softail Slim S asks for 20,890 € and the Fat Boy S claims 22,890 €.
Whatever your decision, it will give you the benefit of an authentic and now highly dynamic machine. At the sound of the raging eagle, all you have to do is draw your own legend.

Strong points

  • motor character and availability
  • correct comfort
  • Let’s finish
  • ABS as standard
  • Standard speed regulator

Weak points

  • Damping a little dry on strong compressions
  • Heat released by the engine in town

Datasheet

  • Itinerary: small varied roads + interurban highways with a bit of town

Colors

Softail Slim S : Vivid Black or Olive Gold Denim

Fat Boy S : Vivid Black or Black Denim

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