Road test of Harley-Davidson1800 SOFTAIL SLIM S FLSS 2016 A 24-year-old biker and an American legend...

a 24-year-old biker and an American legend... The beginning of a love story!

it's not unusual to see magnificent Harleys criss-crossing our Belgian roads. But of course, when you think Harley, you think bearded man, sunglasses, team colors on a leather jacket (or even on his arm), a nonchalant air and so on...

does it have to be that way? Well, no, no more stereotypes! Harley has every intention of doing away with this image of the adventurer. The brand wants to make a fresh impression, attracting a new kind of public. It's a tall order! And it's with the Harley Softail Slim S that I'm going to show you just that!

at first glance, there's no doubt about it: whatever the audience, they'll all agree it's got style! (Especially with its military theme and Olive Gold Denim paintwork). Such a level of finish that you can look everywhere, you can't see a flaw... Except perhaps its reflection in the chrome paintwork.

its legendary 1801 cm³, 45° V-twin engine gives you incredible torque from first to sixth gear! And to top it all off, they've managed to keep the vibrations to a minimum.

on a more personal note, I'd say that what really stood out for me was the seating position, which is very comfortable, even over long distances. Admittedly, the saddle heats up quickly when stationary. But there's also the fact that the blinkers come off by themselves after a corner. It's a detail, but it's all the more reminiscent of a riding style where, apart from enjoying the ride and looking at the road, everything else is taken care of by the bike. I was also impressed by the braking, as I wasn't very reassured by its weight... Well, it has once again proved my prejudice wrong: it brakes very well, and hard if need be. Handling is more than adequate, and if you're looking for a ride rather than a thrill ride, don't worry, it won't touch you!

from a technological point of view, in addition to the "intelligent" indicators, we're allowed to keep the key in our pocket, because once we're near the beast, we turn on the ignition, climb on, and off we go. No need to start digging in your pocket!

let me come back to the look. This is the first time I've seen so many eyes on me... Or maybe it was the bike... SOIT! From young people to senior citizens, it appeals to everyone. Its look, its sound and, above all, the biker who rides it is young and young at heart, and that doesn't shock anyone, because he's got a banana on his lips, no tattoos, no beard...

in short, Harley has set itself a challenge: to appeal to a wider audience. For my part, I'd say they've succeeded, because I'm not going to wait until my last days as a biker to buy one. Indeed, I was convinced by the authenticity of the brand, the model and its philosophy.

the price tag of around €21,000 may seem a lot, but it's not excessive, because the level of finish is outstanding, and the quality can be felt from the very first kilometers. So yes, it's expensive, but what's expensive? From a quality/price point of view, no, it's not expensive. Looking ahead, I'm thinking of treating myself to a baby like this in a few years' time!

i'd like to thank Motoplanète, Oli le Belge, and Harley-Davidson Benelux for this new kind of test ride! Just goes to show, a kid can really appreciate a man's bike, and vice-versa...

Nico Le Belge