FXST 1340 Softail

1988 Harley-Davidson FXST 1340 Softail Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

At the heart of the 1988 Harley-Davidson FXST 1340 Softail custom - cruiser motorcycle, Harley-Davidson relies on a 1337 cc (81.6 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 58 HP (42.3 kW) at 5,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 5-speed gearbox and belt final drive. With a specific output of 43.4 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the FXST 1340 Softail measures 290 kg (639 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 HP/kg (5 kg per horsepower). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 668 mm (26.3 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops. The 20-liter (5.3 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 170 km/h (106 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 9 indexed model years from 1983 to 1991, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.