New limited edition Softail Slim S and Fat Boy S debut with Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engines
In what Harley-Davidson describes as a "blast of cruiser power" with a "rush of acceleration [that] never gets old", the two new (ish) models in their model year 2016 offering are the new S Series Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models, both powered by the "fierce" Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine.
“Our engineers will tell you one of the best predictors of motorcycle acceleration is the power-to-weight ratio,” said Paul James, Harley-Davidson's former Public Relations guru and current Director of Motorcycle Product Planning.
“It’s something you can’t see on a dyno sheet, but you will feel it when you twist the throttle. We’ve put more power in our Big Twin cruisers for 2016, without adding weight, in a keep-them-lean and make-them-mean approach to delivering the performance riders are asking for.”
The new 2016 S Series is described by Harley as a "classic hot-rod move – drop in a bigger motor. Make that the biggest motor." Previously reserved for their CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) models, making the Screamin’ Eagle 110 incher available down-range in regular-production motorcycles for the first time is a good move, but not one than can be allowed to sit in isolation for years to come, and one that makes no sense at all on a limited edition basis for the increasingly beleaguered Softail and Dyna platforms.
Harley's release goes on to say that "With styling inspired by cutting edge trends in custom motorcycle culture ... rear tires will be begging for mercy. Restyled with minimal bright work, the new S Series models are built for riders who want to stand out on the toughest bike in town."
Harley cite the tune of the 100 incher being installed in this unspecified number of Softails and Dynas as producing 109 lb.- ft. of torque. Both electronic cruise control, ABS, and the H-D Factory Security System as standard equipment.
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| Softail Slim S - Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam 110 inch engine with Stage 1 high-flow intake. At only $3,600 more than the standard 'Slim', the extra power, stock ABS, security system, cruise control and retro styling make the 'S' look bargainous. There doesn't appear to be any public indication yet of just how limited the edition will be - dealers should be able to add considerable value to standard 'Slim' inventory with an 'S-series' upgrade package |
Softail Slim S - "rugged no-nonsense bobber"
"Classic, lean bobber style, from the clipped rear fender to the Hollywood handlebar, is the calling card of the Softail Slim model. Now the S Series version ups the performance ante with a gloss-black Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 powertrain featuring the Screamin’ Eagle Stage 1 high-flow intake and optimized jet-black over/under dual shotgun mufflers.
"Every speck of chrome has been replaced with gloss black paint. The Softail Slim S is offered in Vivid Black bodywork or the new Olive Gold Denim color with military-inspired tank graphics.
Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Director of Styling, is quoted as saying that “While the Olive Gold paint and star graphic are reminiscent of the WLA military models Harley-Davidson built during World War II, the Softail Slim S pays homage to the post-war chop-ups made from those bikes after the war. Those garage customs started the bobber era that continues to inspire our styling team today.”
Harley go on to describe the Softail Slim S as a "rugged, no-nonsense bobber" with a Softail chassis that "mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight below the transmission. Combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate keep the minimal rear fender clean. Period styling cues include a gloss black cat’s eye tank console with a retro speedometer face, half-moon rider footboards, a round air cleaner cover, and laced wheels with gloss black rims and hubs. The cover of the solo seat is stitched in a tuck-and-roll pattern.
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| Fat Boy S – bullet hole aluminum disc wheels, five-gallon Fat Bob gas tank, 'slammed' suspension with hidden horizontal mount coil-over shocks for a "faux" hardtail look |
Fat Boy S - "a menacing look"
"Harley-Davidson stylists give the iconic Fat Boy motorcycle a darker attitude in the S Series, designing a menacing look that matches the muscle of its Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, trimmed out for this application with a Screamin’ Eagle Ventilator intake and optimized jet-black over/under dual shotgun mufflers.
“When we started styling the Fat Boy S we took it completely black, and then we pulled it back a little until our gut told us it was right,” said Richards. “We kept the highlights on the wheels and the tank badge, but this is still the darkest Fat Boy ever.”
The Fat Boy S "rolls with fat-custom style, an attitude that starts with the bullet-hole aluminum disc wheels and is reinforced by the massive headlamp and nacelle, half-moon rider footboards and a classic five-gallon Fat Bob fuel tank. The Softail chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame but utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight below the transmission. Slammed suspension and a low-slung seat put the rider just 24.25 inches off the pavement. Color choices are Vivid Black and Denim Black.
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Rushmore trickle-down effect
High Output Twin Cam 103 power for Softail and Dyna
In what is, in effect, a trickle-down effect from the FL platform upgrades of two years ago, and another step towards recognition of some of the horsepower offerings they are now competing against, Harley-Davidson "gives cruiser riders a dose of Project Rushmore performance by making the High Output Twin Cam 103 engine standard in every 2016 Softail model (except the Softail Slim S and Fat Boy S).
"Tuned to deliver strong acceleration and passing power, the HO 103 engine is equipped with a high-flow airbox and camshaft that optimizes bottom-end torque. The result is an improvement in performance a rider will feel every day.
In 2016 the High Output Twin Cam 103 engine is also standard equipment in all Dyna model motorcycles except the Street Bob model.
Softail Cruise Control - electronic throttle control
"For the first time ever, the convenience of Harley-Davidson electronic cruise control is standard equipment for select 2016 Softail models and available as a dealer-installed accessory for all other 2016 Softail models.
To accommodate the cruise control system, all Softail models are equipped with electronic throttle control. Cruise control will be factory-installed on the Heritage Softail Classic, Softail Deluxe, Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models, and offered through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories for the Breakout, Fat Boy, Fat Boy Lo, and Softail Slim models.
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| Heritage Softail Classic - "blazing from the past with original dresser spirit and modern touring capabilities", and likened by Harley to the design values of the old Hydra Glide; but would 103 inches really pass muster for anybody looking for "modern touring capabilities"? At least Harley have made the cruise control (and ABS) standard |
Heritage Softail Classic - "from Hydra Glide to Heritage Softail"
"Combining the look of a vintage dresser with smooth, modern Softail performance, the Heritage Softail Classic model combines classic cruiser attitude with modern touring comfort and amenities.
In addition to its new High Output Twin Cam 103 powertrain and new electronic cruise control, the Heritage Softail receives refreshed styling for 2016.
Rebecca Krueger, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Product Planning Manager, is quoted as saying that “You can draw a straight styling line from the Hydra Glide models of the 1950s to the new Heritage Softail. The new bike looks more like the original, still nostalgic, but with fewer studs on the saddlebags, seat and backrest, and a new tank badge.”
The leather saddlebags are said to feature "new conchos with red starburst inserts that match highlights in the seat skirt and tank badge. The saddlebags also have a new and improved internal support structure to maintain their shape. A new leather fuel tank panel matches the pattern of the backrest.
The Heritage Softail Classic is described as "retaining its other popular features", such as a "passenger backrest, a full-coverage removable windshield with quick-release mounts, a deep FL-style front fender and chrome laced wheels with covered hubs. ABS is standard equipment."
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| Softail Slim - will the upgrade to the HO 103 inch engine be enough to protect this entry level Softail from the "Power and Paint Envy" that the limited edition 'S-series' 110 incher is bound to create? ABS is standard, security system optional |
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| Softail Breakout - is the "custom styling in a long, low silhouette" enough to make many want to break-in to the Breakout this year? ABS is standard; security system an optional extra |
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Softail Deluxe - "accessible and powerful, wrapped in pure nostalgic beauty", and $1,200 more at list than the theoretically "refreshed" FLSTC; ABS as stock |
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| Softail Fat Boy Lo - "a darker, lower, meaner iconic boulevard cruiser", but at only $2,200 less at list than the new 'S-series' there may be showroom issues ahead; at least it does have the bullet hole disc wheels seen on the 'S', if that's a "thing"… |
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| Softail Fat Boy - bound to be affected by the same issues and opportunities as the 'Slim'; $3,000 less at MSRP than the 'S-series' for the "original fat custom icon", with ABS as stock, security system optional |
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How much longer for the Dyna?
Harley's entry level Big Twin is a popular custom platform, but rarely one that attracts big Screamin' Eagle option upgrades, despite it being plumbed-in to Harley's H-D1 Factory Customization program options.
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| The top of the range Dyna, the FLD Switchback, is listed at $17,199 in "Vivid Black" with ABS as standard. This year customers can spend extra for color paint options, but along with buyers of the FXDL Low Rider, FXDF Fat Bob and FXDWG Wide Glide do now get the more capable High Output 103 inch Twin Cam as standard - leaving the FXDB Street Bob as the perpetual entry level Cinderella Big Twin in the Harley range |
Used examples are proving to be of more interest to aftermarket customizers than "Bar 'n' Shielders", but with virtually no changes for 2016, except for upgrades to the High Output 103 inch Twin Cam from the standard spec version for four out of the five Dynas and some fresh licks of paint available, the yawning chasm of a range-gap where the FXR could have led them, or where a genuine streetfighter styled muscle bike could take them, there has to be an ever increasingly large question mark hanging over the viability of the current Dyna line.
With the ABS-less Street Bob listed at $13,699 ($700 more for the Dyna Low Rider), and now the only one of the five not to have the High Output engine, dealer reports of slow inventory turn on the Dynas aren't likely to go away any time soon.
Many view the Dyna as representing poor showroom floor-space ROI and, demographically, a model that sells to riders who are less inclined to live up to their perceived civic duty of doubling the value of the list price in the first three years of ownership with service, upgrade, accessory gear and apparel spending.