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2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Overview
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim is a custom / cruiser motorcycle built around 1746 cc of displacement. Under the tank sits a Four stroke, V-Twin, Milwaukee-Eight 107, Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 10.0:1. 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim delivers 145 Nm @ 3250 rpm of torque. From a practical standpoint, the 2018 Softail Slim tips the scales at 304 kg, carries a 18.9-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 660 mm and spans a 1630 mm wheelbase. Scroll down for the complete 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim spec sheet covering every technical detail from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2018 Softail Slim - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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📏
Accessible seat height: At 660 mm, the seat height is approachable for a wide range of rider heights and builds confidence in low-speed manoeuvring.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: As with any used Softail Slim, a thorough pre-purchase inspection covering consumables, service history and tyres is always recommended.
Owner Experiences & Common Issues
Low-speed confidence
At 304 kg, the Softail Slim is a substantial machine. New owners occasionally mention that slow-speed manoeuvring in car parks takes a little getting used to. Once moving, the weight disappears - but practising slow-speed exercises builds confidence quickly.
Softail Slim - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
When inspecting a used 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim, start with the basics: check the service book for oil change frequency, inspect the chain and sprockets for wear, and look for oil seepage around the engine casings and rocker covers. A cold start test is invaluable - a well-maintained Softail Slim should fire up cleanly and settle to a smooth idle within a few seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Regular oil changes are the single most important maintenance task on any Softail Slim. Stick to the manufacturer's interval - typically every 6,000 km or once a year, whichever comes first. Always use the correct viscosity grade as specified in the owner's manual.
2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim have?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim uses a Four stroke, V-Twin, Milwaukee-Eight 107, Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 1746 cc of displacement. It is air cooled.
How much does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim weigh?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim weighs 304 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim make?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim produces 145 Nm @ 3250 rpm of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim has a 18.9-litre fuel tank.
Is the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim suitable for shorter riders?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim has a seat height of 660 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim have?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim uses Single 292 mm discs, 4 piston caliper at the front and Single 292 mm disc, 2 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim use?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim runs 130/90B16,53H,BW front and 150/80B1677H,BW rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim have?
The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Spec Evolution
The Harley-Davidson Softail Slim was produced across 2 model years (2019-2021). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2019 |
2021 |
| Seat Height |
660 mm / 26 in |
Laden: 648 mm / 25.5 in Unladen: 660 mm / 26 in |
| Displacement |
1746 cc / 107 cub in |
1746 cc / 107 cu-in |
| Brakes - Front |
Single 292 mm discs, 4 piston caliper |
Single 300 mm discs, 4 piston fixed caliper |
| Brakes - Rear |
Single 292 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
Single 292 mm disc, 2 piston floating caliper |
| Suspension - Front |
Showa Inverted forks |
Dual-bending valve 49 mm telescopic with aluminum fork triple clamps, dual rate spring, "beer can" covers |
| Suspension - Rear |
Mono Shock adjustable |
Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock, 43mm stroke; cam-style pre-load adjustment |
| Clutch |
Multi-plate, wet |
Mechanical, 10 plate wet, assist & conventional |
| Final Drive |
Belt |
Belt, 32/66 ratio |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, V-Twin, Milwaukee-Eight 107, Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters, 4 valves per cylinder
Torque
145 Nm / 107 ft-lb @ 3250 rpm
Fuel Capacity
18.9 Litres / 5.0 US gal
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Full 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim Specifications
Year
2018 - 19
Make Model
Harley Davidson Softail Slim
Seat Height
660 mm / 26 in
Wheelbase
1630 mm / 64.2 in
Ground Clearance
120 mm / 4.7 in
Length
2310 mm / 90.9 in
Dry Weight
291 kg / 642 lbs
Fuel Capacity
18.9 Litres / 5.0 US gal
Oil Capacity
4.7 Litres / 5 US qt
Wet Weight
304 kg / 671 lbs
Displacement
1746 cc / 107 cub in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, V-Twin, Milwaukee-Eight 107, Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke
100 x 111 mm
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Cooling System
Air cooled
Exhaust
2-into-1-into-2 dual side, catalyst in muffler
Fuel Induction
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Ignition
Single-fire, non-wasted, map-controlled spark ignition
Lubrication
Pressurized, dry-sump with oil cooler
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Multi-plate, wet
Final Drive
Belt
Gear Ratios
1st 9.311 / 2nd 6.454 / 3rd 4.793 / 4th 3.882 / 5th 3.307 / 6th 2.79:1
Primary Drive
Chain, 34/46 ratio
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Suspension - Front
Showa Inverted forks
Suspension - Rear
Mono Shock adjustable
Lean Angle
27.4°
Rake
30°
Trail
147 mm / 5.8 in
Brakes - Front
Single 292 mm discs, 4 piston caliper
Brakes - Rear
Single 292 mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Tyres - Front
130/90B16,53H,BW
Tyres - Rear
150/80B1677H,BW
Wheels
Gloss Black, Steel Laced
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