2018 Harley-Davidson Slim (FLSL) │Review and Test Ride
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- Detailed review and test ride of the 2018 Softail Slim. Get info you need to make the best choice if you're looking to buy a new Harley-Davidson. Test Ride a walk-around by Matt Laidlaw
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Matt Laidlaw can 4.5 "rear shock be put on slim. Can mid controls be put on fatbob, 2018s. Thanks.
Hey! Great review!! How tall are you?
It's not "...scrape the boards on accident." Proper English, which is something I would think narrators like yourself would be concerned with, would be "by accident."
What a piece of shit these bikes are look at my commet.jack ass.
Is the FLSL a good beginner bike??
I am 5' 9" and have a 2015 slim. Love it softail is a great platform. Good job matt.
MATT LAIDLAW FOR CEO OF HARLEY DAVIDSON!!
@P. Taylor I totally agree hence my desire for him to move on up into the "Big Leagues" and consider a larger role in the Motor Company. Sadly I don't think he's willing to do that though as his family's dealership obviously must come first and I get it. I feel that he's highly qualified for the position as he takes great pride in the product and the name brand. He has been known to speak his mind a few times and shed criticism on the Mo-co issues which i find AWESOME! He always has the people's best interests in mind. He wouldn't push electric scooters and electric bicycles into the masses and waste precious dollars on crap like that.
You tube knows He's a cry baby now 😭
Best Harley Davidson reviewer hands down.
#legit
+Ryan's V-Twin Vlogs Thanks 👍🏻
Absolutely
@@MattLaidlaw how would u compare to the v rod. I wanted one of them but I didn't get to ride a v rod. So I ended up picking up soft tail slim today.
Truth fact
I love your reviews Matt. Despite the fact you are a HD dealer you give an honest opinion. If you don't like something you say so. The 2018 models are now arriving here in Australia.
Thank you sir. I try to list the Pros and Cons in my eyes
No one reviews bikes like you do! Great consistent work!
Thank you
This is the best motorcycle review I have ever seen...I put down a deposit yesterday and going to get mine on Saturday!! If I was still in LA (FL now)...I would give this dealer my business based solely on their detailed review(s). Wow.
I'm with the guy below, I left the state's a long time ago and you simply don't have the same demo options available to you. Matt's reviews are the best I've seen. Period. clear high quality videos, competent, intelligent, thorough, Etc etc, I just can't thank you enough for highlighting things such as suspension options, comparisions betweem models,items that will fit across the range, so much stuff you wonder about , Matt just leaves nothing out. You Rock buddy. Thanks Heaps !
There are a butt load of TH-cam videos out there with Harley Davidson as the subject. There a lot of videos out there being generated by salesman at various Harley Dealerships trying to generate viewer interest and drive potential customers their way.
And then there is Matt Laidlaw. This guy is the KING of all TH-cam Harley videos when it comes time to do specific bike reviews or walk arounds. Nobody else even comes close to this dude. He reviews all of the bikes in the Harley stable, not just one or two. If you want information you can trust, look to Matt. I actually look forward to his new videos. He spends so much time doing these detailed videos that I don't know how he has time to do anything else. I don't know for sure what his title is at Laidlaw's but I am thinking he may be the sales manager. I am about 1600 miles from LA but if I am ever close to their location I would like to meet this guy in the flesh. He makes everyone else who is doing Harley videos look like amateurs.
+48retrop This comment made my day. Thank you very much. Im humbled. Please stop by some day. Just not Sunday or Monday (closed). I wish you the best. Happy riding.
What sets Matt apart is he actually rides and comments honestly about the bikes. He doesn't just walk around a show room bike and list off the HD specs.
This is my favourite Harley Davidson. Colour is Killer though the red looks great too.
Just bought a low mileage 2018 Softail Slim. Your videos are great.
Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa
Definitely needs a taller seat. I have a whopping 29" inseam and my knees were riding above my hips on this one. I rode this one with a Fatbob. The Fatbob's riding position was great. Might have been the adjustment, but the Fatbob's suspension felt perfect. This one was kinda harsh. I do like the handlebars on this one.
The Fatbob is the shizz.
Right on, Matt, thank you for this. I'm picking mine up on Thursday. I tested the Street Bob first, it was okay, then I tested this one and this is exactly the bike I've been looking for. Your review was excellent, thanks again.
I have a 2017 I traded my Triumph Bobber in on in August. I absolutely love it. I’m 5’7” and I have no problems with the seat or the boards. I get a lot of comments about a “nice hog”.
This is the best Harley review I have ever watched--very concise and thorough--appreciate it. Thank you, Matt.
Mustang makes a great seat for this bike. I have a 2020 Slim and added the 83049 seat with backrest. Fits me great. I'm 6' 1" and bike fits me perfectly. What a great ride at 75-80 mph. Hang on with the 107 but the 83049 seat keeps you planted
I’ll take mine in Industrial Gray! 👌
Clean bike! I almost like it as much as the Heritage but, I like the Street Bob the most. Can't wait til I'm able to upgrade!
Your reviews are so detailed and professionally done. Thanks!
Can’t wrap my head around between this beautiful machine and the Indian scout bobber which is also a beautiful piece of machinery...Probably water cooled engine vs air cooled would make the call ... Both are just astounding bikes... Great review !
Just bought a 2021 Slim in Billiard Red. Awesome colour. Having V&H Eliminator slip ons fitted as we speak.
I fell in love with this bike...hoping to be able to afford one someday...
Thanks for the review just bought a 2019 slim here in South Texas 😎 I'm 5'8" 190 and it fits me perfect. Moved up from the 1200 Sportster
Nice upgrade. Enjoy the bike
Nicest Harley in the lineup imo...
Great job Matt. Enjoy your test rides/ review and commentaries as always. One thing I’d like is to hear the sound of the bike for at least a minute without commentaries, sound of the exhaust changes with your throttle and gear shifting. Take care.
Very quality video, thank you! This is the bike I'm upgrading to from my Iron when the time (money...) comes.
Great review , I just bought the 2019 today…..
Nice man. Enjoy👍🏻
Hi Simone, are you happy with yours? I've sold my sports bike and looking at Harleys. I'm keen to hear what your thoughts are on the 2019 model. Cheers Fee
Hi Matt, I went to my first Harley demo day a couple weeks ago and this bike was easily one of my favorites. The only one I still need to ride is the new Low Rider, which for some reason was excluded. I normally ride the Street 750 so these new bikes were a blast to try out. Appreciate all your reviews!
Love the blacked out theme, looks like it would be a perfect platform for customizing. Have to say this is one model I may have overlooked, diggin this one. Thanks Matt
Hey Matt. I agree about the seat. I'm 5'4" and Tried a 18 Slim. My problem was, I kept sliding back on the seat. And had to keep pulling myself forward when I went to Stop or Shift. The 107 has good power. The Handlebar is a little wide. Was able to lay down on the gas tank and Throttle it. Like a sport bike. Didn't care much for the Floor Boards and Forward controls.
I think the Softtail Slim has the best Speedo/instrument cluster in Harley's line-up! Sooooo much better that that tiny digital gauge on the Street Bob.
Awesome bike
I love Softail Slim...👍
Carlo Gumin Exatly!
I have a brand new one 2018 its in the shop they said the oil leak is coming out of one of the pistons and into the air filter thats why it smells of oil when i ride it....i wish i could sell it could be an umbrella gasket the kid said,do they have to take the heads off?
Thanks for the review this is 1 of 3 Harley's that I'm thinking of getting so it was great to finally see a great detail review about it
your reviews are simply the best.
25:40 you should've closed the gas thingy. 🤷🏽♂️
I bought a new '18 SGS vivid black' because of your review of your stormtrooper, this review made me order a new Slim on my way to Europe due August 27. Maybe I'll see you Sturgis '22 Thx for your great vids Matt 💯🤝
Love the look of this bike!! I’m not quite sure what i want to be my first Harley but the slim just went into my list of possibilities!! Thanks Matt for the good reviews!! I’m in Rosemead!! I want to go to the demo days!!
Only thing I would do is lower it in the back to make the fender ride closer to the tire. Man it looks great in black. Exellent review as always.
Coming from Rommel H-D in Smyrna, DE. Love this channel and your honestly helping me choose my next bike after coming of my 06 fx Springer. Keep killing it Matt
I'm thinking about the slim for a second bike great video take care Matt keep them coming thank you
Another great informative, insightful and honest review of the 2018's. Particularly love the accessories segment. Ride on Matt thanks.
Do you like the street bob or the slim better 2018
I was favouring the Street Bob there for a while, because I think it would ride a little more lively, but after seeing a denim black slim in my local dealer and watching your review, I think I love the Slim too much.
Hi Matt good reviews just wondering can the 107 slim can be turned into a 114 with a stage 3? How would traction be like would it be very touchy on the throttle? Cheers bud. Ray from Australia.
Nice video and good overall authentic comments. Job well done.
The paint !!! Wow what a finish. A slim is in my near future, (couple of weeks) and I can't wait to run an old fashioned cloth diaper over that tank !
This is the bike that i owned, I love it, imposible to change it, regards from Chile, thanks for the video
Yes sir! Well done, as usual! This is one of my favorite bikes along with The Heritage and The Road King Sp. This bike in vivid or Denim Black or why not in white, brass kit pieces here and there, passing lights (if possible), maybe a freight-train nacelle (if possible ) and an occasional wind screen and bags for highway/touring use makes me drool.
But then again the above mentioned bikes might give me the satisfaction at once ;) Too bad that they didn´t include the "revolver knob" (yeah, my idea. It really reassembles a revolver cylinder) for the suspension adjustment in all the softtails for ease of use..
Keep ´m coming sir!
Very good review just brought one here in the uk two weeks ago just waiting for the floods to dissaper and the rain to stop here on the wales borders .real good indepth review .do enjoy your videos thanks matt
Not a lot of reviews I see are this unbiased and just telling you the truth
So being as tall as you are, why do you not like the road glide over the street glide? Road glides typically fit taller people better since the fairing is farther away from you. Just curious.
I’d tuck the license plate under fender like a mud flap. Looks way cleaner to me. Don’t dig the tapered look of the fork shrouds. Seems like the head pipes bend too sharp at head exits. Seems like a bit bigger rear tire would look better. Overall not to shabby.
Saw this bike today in person and was pleasantly surprised.
Love this bike, needs a 114. The one bike that came out ahead with the redesign.
Hey Matt I'm going be get motorcycle license soon I want to know if softail be good starter bike.
All reviews should be as thorough and informative as this one!
Love this Slim, very tastefully blacked, I'll probably buy one.
Another great video. I like this style of bike to Bob around town. However I did just buy a 18 Deluxe. I’m so stoked!!
Hey Matt good to see you again. Great video and review as always. By the way, fiend of friend purchased over the weekend same color as showing and he is very happy with the bike. Awesome 👍🏼
+Don Quixote cool. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks Matt. Great objective review. I am 6'3" and now concerned this bike is not my fit. But I love the styling. Anything i can do to improve the fit?
Just curious...Did you buy it ? How about the fit ?
@@Daniel010601 no i did not buy it. yet. maybe one day soon Thanks
Badass! That's a masterpiece
I'm 5'6" and 117lb. I'm looking for a HD that's not too hard to ride. Do you think this would be a good option?
Question. I am trying to decide between the 2018 Low RIder and the 2018 Slim. Have ridden the Low Rider last week. Will try out the Slim soon. In your opinion is there any real difference between the two in handling and such ? I looked at the specs for both and other than the difference of the trail (5.8 Slim 6.4 Low Rider) and tire size they seem to have the same dimensions (?). One thing I kinda of like is the fatter tire on the front of the Slim in that it would seem to handle those pesky lane grooves on highways/Interstates better. Ok, maybe that is kinda of a silly observation (lane grooves) but I have had problems with contol of my MG V7II and HD 1200T at high speeds when dealing with them.
*I currently own a 2016 MG V7II and a 2015 HD Super Low 1200T. Love both of those bikes for what they are. just saying
Love it! Best looking Harley in my opinion ;) loved the brass one you had in the show room. Just stopped by yesterday to see it. Spoke with your brother. Real nice guy! About time a rewiew on the Slim! Looks even better live. Ape hangers, Rinehart or V&H slip on's, comfier sit, and you are golden! In Love! Awesome review!
Can I change all alluminium and chrome pieces to black ???? Maybe just in the engine...
Would the slim be a good bike for a 57 year old, 6’, 150 lb new rider with under 500 miles riding experience? I currently have the 883 Superlow but am considering upgrading to the slim or low rider.
Would a tall guy like me fit this bike? I'm 6 feet 6 and drive a VTX1800 today. Why did they remove the Wide Glide?
Hi Matt after 4 years and 10,000 kilometers it is time to change my slim . Which is a should be the next step? Fat boy, breackout or road king? For me fat boy and breackout is just the same softail with different accessories, so I should own the road king because is a Turing or the next step should be the fat boy or the breakout , best regards from Chile
I test rode this bike and it’s the most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. The Hollywood bars are awesome. But when I ready to buy this but they had none for me buy lol
I ended signing for an Indian scout bobber the same day.
I guess when you get Antsy you’ll take anything.
For some unknown reason, the Slim is more expensive than a Fat Bob 114 in France. It's a shame because I like it the most out of all the 2018 softails, but now that I know it's not supposed to cost this much, it kinda feels like a massive rip off. Thank you Matt.
When buying the bike new why cant you spec any changes you may want rather have to buy a second seat, bars, suspension etc to make it fit you. There must be a lot of new Harley parts laying around in garages.
Great reviews 😉
bought same exact bike... 2018 shiny black slim with 1580 miles on it as my first bike 3 months ago. finally starting riding at 40yo... love my slim😌. the power is Insane for new rider . Especially first 3 gears. Loved the exhaust look but hated the sewing machine sound from it so 350$ slip ons fixed that. also have mustang seat with back rest coming to keep my ass on the bike with all that torque 😂
Hi do you think it's a good beginners bike for someone who has never ridden a motorcycle before and I am going to take my msf motorcycle course soon
Thanks for another great review. I have a 17 slim. 20 miles and I ditched the seat. Thought i was going to fall off the back. The badlander seat is great, looks goofy but i locks you in nicely . I wondered about the cable clutch as well. Seems like they did a lot of cost cutting on the 2018. But in fairness, good on them for keeping the price reasonable . I ditched the heel shifter on mine. But why did they ditch the head light nacelles ? Also I don't like the air cleaner on the 2018, and the 17 had a much more retro speedometer. Think I will keep my 17 until I can afford a new street glide.
Hey Matt, was seriously looking into this one. 6'3" more legs than torso, do you think a tallboy seat, pulling controls out slightly and maybe adjusting bars will be comfortable? Or is this bike strictly non tall friendly?
Hey Matt, Great Video! Do you have a Solo seat that you would recommend for this bike. I'm 6' Tall. The Stock seat is painful. THANKS!
OK Your 107 M8 is producing 110 ft-lbs of torque stock. Why would my 2019 FXLR M8 with SE Street Cannons, SE Hiflow air filter, SE Hiflow intake manifold, SE Smart Tune PRO Automatic Tuning Module with wideband O2 sensors and SE Torque Cam produce only 104 ft-lbs on the Dyno?
Because of where the power is measured. The factory measures at the crank. A dyno is at the rear wheel
I have a 2022 Fat Bob and live it.5 gallon tank on the way from the US as we write.
If i had to go allnover again i would consider the Slim.Fat Boy looks from the twin cam days with a better handling rear tyre.I believe its a 5 gallon tank also?
Did HD address the lean angle problem where if you thought about leaning, your floorboards were already scraping?
Hey Matt, love your reviews. I'm just wondering is cruise control an option on this bike or can it be fitted?
Thanks.
This is the bike for me. Except for the floorboards, I prefer a mid-placement footpeg. The controls I like but I need a footrest further back
Hello from Europe, I think I will go for that beautiful slim. Great and instructive videos Matt. Thank you.
Great Job Matt. A nice stripped down Blvd.cruiser type bike at a fair price. Love the Harley Vivid Black on this bike with the black powder coated components and lace wheels. The LED headlight is a nice standard feature and would love to see ABS brakes become standard on all new Harley's. Great video as always Matt. thank you.
I don't' know why they bother making that decorative cap removable. I guess if you wanna change it out maybe?
how comfy did you think the footboard positions is??? i am a tall guy like you regards
Sören
Thank very much for the very high quality of your reviews.
What is the minimum proper hight for a person for this bike, please?
Matt do you know if you can put the Slim floorboards and foot controls on a lowrider ? I sat on a lowrider and and the slim. You have more legroom on the slim, as the controls are a little further forward.
I like the mix or black and chrome. It’s a good combo.
Hi!! I’m 6,2 foot..is this bike too small for me?:(
I just bought a 2021 hd softail slim they gave me one key fab? are u supposed get two key fab?
The 2021’s come with one key fob
New rider, 6’1”, 225 pounds. Would you recommend Softail Slim, Fat Bob, or a different bike altogether? I seem to like slightly forward controls for knee comfort.
I was looking at the Triumph T100 and Street Scrambler but they seem too short/compact for taller guys and I think their bench seats would kill the lower back and mid controls are hard on the knees so I’m looking at Harleys now.
Hey Matt, I love the look of the Slim! Haven’t got to ride one yet. I drove the FatBoy last wknd and fell in love. 😍
+Collin Cratty nice man.
25:38 gas cap open on the crv lol. Great review as always matt. Im thinking about pulling the trigger on a '18 flsl . I saw a guy in phoenix, az rocking a laidlaw tshirt
Love the softail slim , the power the handle is great . The mods are not having hell finding a set of throw over bags without modifying my exhaust system to 2:1 which means $$$$$$$
Hey Matt
Great video!
I was wondering if you could help me with something.I am looking to buy a 2018 streetbob, but have reservation about the tank size. I'm not really into chrome so the low rider is out the question for me. But would you be able to get this tank and speedometer setup on the street bob and if so what would the price of a modification like that cost? 2k? 3k? Or more? Thanks in advance
+Dustyn Collins yes you could put it on. With labor and everything I’m guessing it would be around 5k. It would be harder than you think. The wiring and everything would be a lot of custom work. It isn’t just a bolt on job.
Awesome reviews man ! Definitely helps me a lot. Now maybe this is a stupid question. But me personaly would buy this bike and change the handlebars for the fat ape handlebar kit. I like the looks of tho’s bars a lot better. But wich bike is most used with these Ape handlebars ?
Thank you again for these awesome honest review video’s
I had the old slim 2014. Felt a little sluggish. But if it seems a bit smaller and more agile I will try the M8 slim. I love the looks of it. I am not tall so the smaller Frame might suit me even better ;).
in love with the bike, only thing I'd do different is put on true dual exhaust.