'21 Softail Slim for me. I installed aftermarket soft bags, a tinted shield and the Harley Sundowner seat. All for less than $1k. Great bike! Very happy with it.
This was just the video I needed. I got my first bike at the age of 48. Coincidentally, the bike is a 48... Sportster. Even with all the jokes I get, I love that little bastard. There's nothing to it... it's just a no frills, bare bones bike with the iconic old school bobber style look that I love and the thing is a blast to ride... except for long hauls. It effectively turned a normally 4 hour trip into an 8 hour assault on my body with no windshield and no bags, just a backpack. Although... the mountain section at the end of the trip made the sacrifice all worth it. I've always had my eye on the Slim since it came out, particularly the S with the blacked out features (mine is all black, I'm personally not a fan of all the chrome). The slim just looks like a bigger version of my Sporty. But... since, within the last year, I've finally gotten a passenger (whose not really thrilled with the little cushion that I put on the fender)... the Heritage is looking pretty appealing. I'm not interested in all the the things that come with the touring bikes. Just a classic looking, simple bike that I can do a little bit more than what I am now. I wanted to get a bit of experience before I moved up... so in the past four years, I've put 10,000 miles on that 48. Night rides, riding in the rain, riding when the temps were in the 30's (I'm in Maryland)... I looked like the kid in The Christmas Story... "I can't put my arms down!". I think I'm ready. Looks like I've got some test rides to do. But whatever I get, I don't think it will replace my 48, it'll just take it's place next to it. Thanks for your time. Be safe!
I went with the 2020 Slim because I love the look. I don't do two up riding, so added a Mustang seat with backrest. I added a quick disconnect windshield, quick disconnect sissy bar with sissy bar bag/rack, That gives me same travel options as the Heritage without the side bags. I can do extended touring with that arrangement and carry more cargo than with the side bags. When around town, the bag can come off and a small sissy bar bag added. I also added crash bars and mounted day-maker LED auxiliary lights. The 107 M8 engine is more than adequate for the Slim. Factory options include cruise control and ABS. I love the bike and with the accessories, it's very versatile. The Slim is very customizable and easily can be what you want it to be.
Hey Larry, I have a Slim on order and would like to modify it the way you describe yours. Can you send me a picture of your bike? Thank you! lakeecho4@bell.net.
I absolutely love the comment. I'm on the chase for my first motorcycle and I was on team softail slim... until this video. With the argument of an engine of greater performance as well as the bags(at least to one side, the right), coupled with the chump bar style feel of the bike, they almost had me. With your insight backed with my needs and research, Sir I believe you are right. Planning on buying my own in two years for my birthday. See you on the bike side 2026, Godspeed.
Good video and review . In my opinion the Heritage is the best overall bike in the softail lineup . I own a heritage they are great for long rides very comfortable. And it’s extremely easy to drop the windshield and saddlebags and then you have a street bruiser. It’s a very versatile bike and good for all types of riding
Agreed. It does a good job at “doing it all”. They have also stayed pretty close on pricing. A 2005 was 17,500 or somewhere in there for a new one. 19k for the 107 models today isn’t bad 16 years later...
I test rode a used 2020 slim in April 2021. I come from a sport bike back round (GSXR 1000 & R6 track bike). I was really impressed with the smooth throttle action coming out of the turn and how it felt easy to controls. What I really liked was the floor boards, the position was comfortable and my whole body was is a relaxed position.
I purchased the SLIM a month ago. I was happy with the looks because of the Denim black paint and short fenders. But, my wife bought a Heritage a week later and I took hers for a ride and fell in love. I was able to return my Slim and buy a Heritage and pay the difference. The Comfort level between the Slim and Heritage is night and day. After riding both , I noticed that my back would hurt after a longer ride on the Slim. The seat on the Slim felt very slippery. Where the Heritage keeps you in the seat when giving it throttle. The slim has more of a café bike feel. You are definitely bent over when riding the Slim. The Slim has the M8 107 which was great to get up to speed quickly, but I really had to hold on tight when accelerating because I felt like I was slipping off the back of the bike. The Heritage with the M8 114 has far more torque. Torque is where you really feel the difference. There is plenty power any time you need it. The Heritage gives you more of a sitting position. Like he mentions in the video, the Heritage could be taken on long trips with no back issues. I have already started personalizing the Heritage to give it more of a Bobber look. I took the bags and windshield which was very easy. My personal preference is the Heritage
Dude, great supplement to the video. I really dig the slim because I love the slope profile you can tweak out of it. But the functionality of the heritage really grabs me. Thanks for the input
I keep saying this as well - the Heritage is Harley's best bike. Smaller than the touring models, but can still ride it all day long and great for just around town.
When I got my slim it had the wrong seat on it, and I happened to be able to change it out before my first big trip and it was way more comfortable with a soft saddlemen seat, California to Laughlin and back no problem, very comfortable bike with stock bars, since owning it in in the finally stages of my custom build with new fenders new paint new bars new exhaust new intake new tail lights, I’m excited for it to be finished
I’ve got a ‘23 Heritage and living in the desert southwest the bags are almost mandatory for carrying water and such in the summer months. The bike handles like dream in town too
I have to go with the slim I’ve had a heritage but after I got my left leg amputated I couldn’t push it back on a parking spot I got a prosthetic leg and the slim is lighter and lower to the ground
I like the slim a lot and if I were to buy a second bike to go with my Road Glide it would probably be a slim. But if I had to choose either the slim or the heritage as my only bike it would be the heritage all day long! It's a do everything bike! Strip it down if you want the cruiser look or load it up and go touring! And I much prefer the bars on the heritage.
I love the Softail Slim's seat and overall inseam measurements height of 25 inches. Considering I am 5'4" in height, and my inseam is 27 inches, I am able to hop right on a stock Softail slim and enjoy that stock ride height and comfort as intended by HD from the factory. Where as any other bike in the HD lineup, even the sportsters (most of them at least), if I buy them I immediately have to drop a lowering kit on them day one before I can even ride it, this is enjoyably not the case with the Softail Slim as I can hop right on it at a dealership and ride hop as soon as the papers are signed, and that was an AWESOME feeling! Now consider that awesome feeling of control due to seat/ride height and add in the 19040's styling of the Softail Slim make this bike one of the best looking bikes in my specific taste, since the launch of those special Sportsters a while back like the '72 and the '48!
Bought the Heritage 107 chrome to replace my Dyna low rider s, discovered that I need to be comfortable, the Dyna was a beast, the Heritage rides like a couch
A lot of 107’s are a result of them being left over motors from previous manufacturing. Once those motors are depleted a lot more 114 ‘s will be standard.
I pick the Slim and take it up to stage 2. Prolly a luggage rack and a bag to carry my stuff for my commute. On that note the Heritage would be better suited for that task. However, the Heritage is too much of an Old Man’s bike for me.
Great job comparing man, you are the best. I talked to Goose, I am interested in the Heritage root beer color you have in another video with black, long exhaust. I am waiting for an estimate. Ali from California
Love the Heritage. Looks so old school. Just wish Harley would route the mufflers on both sides. Can that windshield blow off with a strong tail wind or side wind? I think the Sport glide would have been a better comparison to the Heritage though, if you're talking bags.
I would love to change three things on the heritage and make it a much better bike #1loose the tube tires#2 put the 180 tire on the back#3 the bags need to be just a bit bigger. Personally the slim wouldn’t work for my commute to work I need storage but it does look nice. But you know the old saying ask 100 people get 100 different answers, that’s why Harley makes a variety of bikes. 👍🏻
I know the heritage is considered a touring bike even though it's on a softail frame. my question is can the heritage practical in terms of taking it across state lines for a several day trip? How does it stack up against the bikes with the touring frame ?
I commented on that on another video recently. I’ve owned both. I have not owned the newer Heritage though. Mine was a 2008 model. I would have easily taken it on a two or three day trip by myself. I did take it on a weekend getaway with my wife a time or two, but only 4 hours away or so. When you get into the 8 hours per day stuff, 2-up especially, go with the touring frame. I’ve owned a Road King and now two Ultra Limiteds. I’ve been in about half the states with those. I’m looking forward to hitting the other half.
I came off an Ultra and love the heavier frame. However I’m 79 now and the Heritage is much easier to move around. The Heritage is my bike for life now.
I definitely like the looks of the Slim better than the Heritage and for the price difference adding an aftermarket seat wouldn't be a big deal. No two up riding for me...the wife hates to ride on a motorcycle so I ride solo all the time. A Slim with a stage 4 upgrade would be pretty killer.
Bags are very expensive, and I usually use a windshield when I ride. I would not buy a bike without bags myself, I did that once and just need them to often to not have.
Very good presentation, my choice is the Softail Heritage. Reasons being that I am a large man, would take my gf, wind protection on longer rides and cold weather.
'21 Softail Slim for me. I installed aftermarket soft bags, a tinted shield and the Harley Sundowner seat. All for less than $1k. Great bike! Very happy with it.
This was just the video I needed. I got my first bike at the age of 48. Coincidentally, the bike is a 48... Sportster. Even with all the jokes I get, I love that little bastard. There's nothing to it... it's just a no frills, bare bones bike with the iconic old school bobber style look that I love and the thing is a blast to ride... except for long hauls. It effectively turned a normally 4 hour trip into an 8 hour assault on my body with no windshield and no bags, just a backpack. Although... the mountain section at the end of the trip made the sacrifice all worth it. I've always had my eye on the Slim since it came out, particularly the S with the blacked out features (mine is all black, I'm personally not a fan of all the chrome). The slim just looks like a bigger version of my Sporty. But... since, within the last year, I've finally gotten a passenger (whose not really thrilled with the little cushion that I put on the fender)... the Heritage is looking pretty appealing. I'm not interested in all the the things that come with the touring bikes. Just a classic looking, simple bike that I can do a little bit more than what I am now. I wanted to get a bit of experience before I moved up... so in the past four years, I've put 10,000 miles on that 48. Night rides, riding in the rain, riding when the temps were in the 30's (I'm in Maryland)... I looked like the kid in The Christmas Story... "I can't put my arms down!". I think I'm ready. Looks like I've got some test rides to do. But whatever I get, I don't think it will replace my 48, it'll just take it's place next to it. Thanks for your time. Be safe!
I went with the 2020 Slim because I love the look. I don't do two up riding, so added a Mustang seat with backrest. I added a quick disconnect windshield, quick disconnect sissy bar with sissy bar bag/rack, That gives me same travel options as the Heritage without the side bags. I can do extended touring with that arrangement and carry more cargo than with the side bags. When around town, the bag can come off and a small sissy bar bag added. I also added crash bars and mounted day-maker LED auxiliary lights. The 107 M8 engine is more than adequate for the Slim. Factory options include cruise control and ABS. I love the bike and with the accessories, it's very versatile. The Slim is very customizable and easily can be what you want it to be.
Hey Larry, I have a Slim on order and would like to modify it the way you describe yours. Can you send me a picture of your bike? Thank you! lakeecho4@bell.net.
I absolutely love the comment. I'm on the chase for my first motorcycle and I was on team softail slim... until this video. With the argument of an engine of greater performance as well as the bags(at least to one side, the right), coupled with the chump bar style feel of the bike, they almost had me. With your insight backed with my needs and research, Sir I believe you are right. Planning on buying my own in two years for my birthday. See you on the bike side 2026, Godspeed.
Good video and review . In my opinion the Heritage is the best overall bike in the softail lineup . I own a heritage they are great for long rides very comfortable. And it’s extremely easy to drop the windshield and saddlebags and then you have a street bruiser. It’s a very versatile bike and good for all types of riding
Agreed. It does a good job at “doing it all”. They have also stayed pretty close on pricing. A 2005 was 17,500 or somewhere in there for a new one. 19k for the 107 models today isn’t bad 16 years later...
The billiard blue 107 is what I went with and I absolutely LOVE it
I test rode a used 2020 slim in April 2021. I come from a sport bike back round (GSXR 1000 & R6 track bike). I was really impressed with the smooth throttle action coming out of the turn and how it felt easy to controls. What I really liked was the floor boards, the position was comfortable and my whole body was is a relaxed position.
I purchased the SLIM a month ago. I was happy with the looks because of the Denim black paint and short fenders. But, my wife bought a Heritage a week later and I took hers for a ride and fell in love. I was able to return my Slim and buy a Heritage and pay the difference. The Comfort level between the Slim and Heritage is night and day. After riding both , I noticed that my back would hurt after a longer ride on the Slim. The seat on the Slim felt very slippery. Where the Heritage keeps you in the seat when giving it throttle. The slim has more of a café bike feel. You are definitely bent over when riding the Slim. The Slim has the M8 107 which was great to get up to speed quickly, but I really had to hold on tight when accelerating because I felt like I was slipping off the back of the bike. The Heritage with the M8 114 has far more torque. Torque is where you really feel the difference. There is plenty power any time you need it. The Heritage gives you more of a sitting position. Like he mentions in the video, the Heritage could be taken on long trips with no back issues. I have already started personalizing the Heritage to give it more of a Bobber look. I took the bags and windshield which was very easy. My personal preference is the Heritage
Dude, great supplement to the video.
I really dig the slim because I love the slope profile you can tweak out of it. But the functionality of the heritage really grabs me.
Thanks for the input
I keep saying this as well - the Heritage is Harley's best bike. Smaller than the touring models, but can still ride it all day long and great for just around town.
I've watched all of your comparison videos. They're all good. Imo this was your best! I especially liked the riding comparisons you made..
Means a lot, Mike! Thank you. 🙏🏼
When I got my slim it had the wrong seat on it, and I happened to be able to change it out before my first big trip and it was way more comfortable with a soft saddlemen seat, California to Laughlin and back no problem, very comfortable bike with stock bars, since owning it in in the finally stages of my custom build with new fenders new paint new bars new exhaust new intake new tail lights, I’m excited for it to be finished
I love the look of both but a slim with 14” apes just looks so good
I’ve got a ‘23 Heritage and living in the desert southwest the bags are almost mandatory for carrying water and such in the summer months. The bike handles like dream in town too
From India (Kerala) love you brother
Much love, Saran!
Great vid , dont like the studs on the heritage seat either ...
I wonder if more customers would agree with us? Meaning would it make more people happy if they did away with them then it would make mad?
I have to go with the slim I’ve had a heritage but after I got my left leg amputated I couldn’t push it back on a parking spot I got a prosthetic leg and the slim is lighter and lower to the ground
I like the slim a lot and if I were to buy a second bike to go with my Road Glide it would probably be a slim. But if I had to choose either the slim or the heritage as my only bike it would be the heritage all day long! It's a do everything bike! Strip it down if you want the cruiser look or load it up and go touring! And I much prefer the bars on the heritage.
Both are nice and thought about both, but I like to be able to do some long rides, so think between the two I go with the Heritage.
Good choice!
My wife & I are loving our 2 Heritage 114s. I would probably like the lower seat height of the Slim but wouldn’t give up the Heritage for it.
Yeah it's really hard to beat a Heritage esp with all you get for the money.
Oh man! 2 of my FAVE BIKES! Id go Heritage. I REALLY Want one!
Same!
Year later and id go slim 😂
I love the Softail Slim's seat and overall inseam measurements height of 25 inches. Considering I am 5'4" in height, and my inseam is 27 inches, I am able to hop right on a stock Softail slim and enjoy that stock ride height and comfort as intended by HD from the factory. Where as any other bike in the HD lineup, even the sportsters (most of them at least), if I buy them I immediately have to drop a lowering kit on them day one before I can even ride it, this is enjoyably not the case with the Softail Slim as I can hop right on it at a dealership and ride hop as soon as the papers are signed, and that was an AWESOME feeling! Now consider that awesome feeling of control due to seat/ride height and add in the 19040's styling of the Softail Slim make this bike one of the best looking bikes in my specific taste, since the launch of those special Sportsters a while back like the '72 and the '48!
Bought the Heritage 107 chrome to replace my Dyna low rider s, discovered that I need to be comfortable, the Dyna was a beast, the Heritage rides like a couch
A lot of 107’s are a result of them being left over motors from previous manufacturing. Once those motors are depleted a lot more 114 ‘s will be standard.
What is the story about rain socks on 2018 Heritage but not other bikes.
I really like the Heritage. Not a huge fan of the Slim. Great video and well done!
Yeah the heritage has been around for a long time for a good reason. Something about the looks of the Slim just does it for me.
I pick the Slim and take it up to stage 2. Prolly a luggage rack and a bag to carry my stuff for my commute. On that note the Heritage would be better suited for that task. However, the Heritage is too much of an Old Man’s bike for me.
Both good looking bikes. I want both
Great job comparing man, you are the best. I talked to Goose, I am interested in the Heritage root beer color you have in another video with black, long exhaust.
I am waiting for an estimate. Ali from California
bought a street bob 114 its on the way to Germany. but I must say the slim is soooo nice
Love the Heritage. Looks so old school. Just wish Harley would route the mufflers on both sides. Can that windshield blow off with a strong tail wind or side wind? I think the Sport glide would have been a better comparison to the Heritage though, if you're talking bags.
Heritage all the way!
SAME!
I have 21 slim and i put heritage lightbar on slim fit
I would love to change three things on the heritage and make it a much better bike #1loose the tube tires#2 put the 180 tire on the back#3 the bags need to be just a bit bigger. Personally the slim wouldn’t work for my commute to work I need storage but it does look nice. But you know the old saying ask 100 people get 100 different answers, that’s why Harley makes a variety of bikes. 👍🏻
they can't make the bags any bigger because of the stacked pipes
Sissy bar/bag and a detachable windshield with a little roll bag maybe? That's my plan when I get a Standard 🙏🏽
I know the heritage is considered a touring bike even though it's on a softail frame. my question is can the heritage practical in terms of taking it across state lines for a several day trip? How does it stack up against the bikes with the touring frame ?
I'd do that on a Heritage without hesitation. That said, I'd prefer a touring bike for that bigger heavier frame.
I commented on that on another video recently. I’ve owned both. I have not owned the newer Heritage though. Mine was a 2008 model. I would have easily taken it on a two or three day trip by myself. I did take it on a weekend getaway with my wife a time or two, but only 4 hours away or so. When you get into the 8 hours per day stuff, 2-up especially, go with the touring frame. I’ve owned a Road King and now two Ultra Limiteds. I’ve been in about half the states with those. I’m looking forward to hitting the other half.
I came off an Ultra and love the heavier frame. However I’m 79 now and the Heritage is much easier to move around. The Heritage is my bike for life now.
I definitely like the looks of the Slim better than the Heritage and for the price difference adding an aftermarket seat wouldn't be a big deal. No two up riding for me...the wife hates to ride on a motorcycle so I ride solo all the time. A Slim with a stage 4 upgrade would be pretty killer.
I would divorce the wife and marry the Heritage. lol
Bags are very expensive, and I usually use a windshield when I ride. I would not buy a bike without bags myself, I did that once and just need them to often to not have.
Very good presentation, my choice is the Softail Heritage. Reasons being that I am a large man, would take my gf, wind protection on longer rides and cold weather.
So the bottom of the windshield on the Heritage is no longer blacked out? If so that's a positive change in my opinion.
Some are still and some are not. To be completely honest I'm not sure which ones get that or why. I need to ask.
Chrome > Black 🥵
The heritage should just be called the road prince it looks like a mini road king.
Which is less vibration??
Just wondering, where did you get the term SNIPES from?
It’s the Slim for me. Throw a 131ci in there and you’re all set !
I have a slim. What's a 131 ci
@@bgizzledaone - 131 cubic inch (CI) is the largest engine Harley makes.
The bat👍
Can I change the heritage handle bars with the slim's low slung handle bar ?
Are they built on the same frame platform?
They are.
I put a big sissy bar on my Slim, so I can bungee my backpack to it
Right out of the get go telling lies, your used softail are 18000 plus,
Show 🤘🇧🇷
The seat quality is very poor.
Serious question. Why do all new harleys have ugly ass stock pipes