Harley-Davidson's 120th anniversary came with an impressive selection of new models, updates, and changes. Among them was the valiant return of its modern softail chopper, the Breakout. When it was first introduced in 2013, the Breakout was literally the breakout bike of the year as a CVO before the standard model was released. It was flashy, powerful, and a certified head-turner. It enjoyed its time as Harley's factory chopper for a new age before being discontinued in 2020, breaking many hearts in the process. But the newer 2023 version is a bit different when compared to its predecessors. It's bolder. It's faster. It's more muscular. But, more importantly... it's back! So if one of your New Year's resolutions is tearing down the road in this lean, mean, concrete-burning machine, here are ten reasons why that is a great idea!
1 Breakout 117: The Return Of A Legend
From 2013 to 2020, the Breakout had a decent lifespan for being part of Harley-Davidson's softail line as a low-profile cruiser with a modern throwback twist. It was a major hit not just in the United States, but in Europe and Australia as well. But it, like many other models before it, was phased out of production. Suddenly, it became a commodity, and everyone that wanted a Breakout had to be extra-aggressive buyers to beat out their competition to the limited number of available units. However, it's not very often that Harley decides to resurrect a model from the dead in such spectacular fashion that the desire for this motorcycle has also been reignited. Second chances for specific motorcycle models are not that common, so this is an opportunity not to be wasted. Because you'll never know if the Breakout gets discontinued again. And next time, it could be for good.
2 With The Breakout, Harley Is Bringing Choppers Back Into The Mainstream
Diversity is the spice of life, and repetition can get boring. Thankfully, because there are so many different kinds of motorcycles out there, that's a problem bikers won't have to worry about. However, if there is a certain model or style that gets too popular, it doesn't feel quite as special. Because other than the Breakout, when was the last time you saw a chopper riding down the road? Exactly. The return of the Breakout is also an opportunity for a new generation of riders to love and appreciate the style of these low-profile bikes. What was typically viewed as the bike intended for our parents and grandparents to ride is formally being passed on to a new wave of riders that will proudly take into the future.
3 The Stock Milwaikee-Eight 117 Cubic-Inch Engine In The Breakout
Years ago, a stock Milwaukee-Eight Twin-Cam 117 cubic-inch engine was reserved only for the CVO touring motorcycles. It was available as an upgrade for softails and touring bikes that came with a 114 cubic-inch engine, providing an extra kick in power and torque off the starting line. But as part of the Breakout's return, it is coming equipped with the 117 right out of the gate. Along with a flashy forward-facing air intake to say the least. Producing 101 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, in one minute, you're turning heads at a red traffic light, and the next, you are long gone. Basically, the Breakout is the embodiment of the phrase, "Take a picture, it'll last longer."
4 Flex Your Individuality With The Breakout
While some of Harley-Davidson's models like the Road King, Road Glide, Street Glide, Fat Boy, Low Rider S, and Sportsters are some of the more popular models, there is usually one motorcycle at every meetup that stands out from the crowd. And given that the Breakout has not been around for very long, it is the kind of bike that attracts the best kind of attention. From its low-profile seat, stretched-out design, 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, and its overall hotrod look, this is the kind of bike for the rider who takes pride in being the black sheep and "breaking out" from the mainstream. So don't be surprised if you find yourself stealing glances and stares from other would-be attention-grabbers.
5 The Breakout Offers A Longer Riding Range
Even though this motorcycle is packing muscle and power, it is also got a lot of stamina in it as well. As part of its redesign, the 2023 Breakout aimed for longer stretches of riding and fewer times for refueling. Hence, that is why Harley upgraded its previously 3.5-gallon tank up to a bigger 5-gallon tank. No longer will you have to be "that guy" that has to pull the rest of your six-gallon touring bike friends over because your softail was running low on fuel. You can go just as long as the big dogs without complaint, and having a fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon is a pretty sweet perk too.
6 The Harley-Davidson Breakout Won't Cost You Your Kidney
The prices of new motorcycles (or new vehicles in general) have been on the incline for years with some people paying at least $1,000 more than the MSRP from the previous model year. Thankfully in the case for the Breakout, not much has changed since the last time Harley-Davidson had it in production. With a starting MSRP of $20,999, customers are getting a lot more for their money when compared to what they were getting for nearly the same price. Plus, with many of its newer softail models like the Lowrider ST and Fat Boy 114 entering the low $20k range, you will be getting exactly what you paid for.
7 The Breakout Boasts A Unique Style
We all know what a touring motorcycle looks like. We all know what a sportster looks like. We all know what a typical cruiser looks like. Thankfully for the Breakout, it isn't your average, cookie-cutter cruiser. Paying homage to its chopper ancestors, this long and lean motorcycle boasts plenty of power in a lean package, while also looking like the ultimate chill-out bike. With four color options available and lots of chrome, this bike didn't return just to swipe a few glances. It is here to capture them.
8 The Breakout Comes With Cruise Control, Traction Control, and ABS
Normally, all the fancy gadgets and advanced riding technology go to the bikes in the touring class. However, starting in 2023 those perks are now being extended to members of the softail class as well. Options like cruise control and anti-lock brakes (ABS) now come standard on the Breakout right from the factory. So rather than white-knuckling the throttle on the highway, you can give your hand a rest and let the bike keep the speed at a steady pace for a bit. Harley's traction control system (TCS) is also an available option to have installed on the Breakout to prevent any sort of excessive tire spinning or slippage in the future.
9 The Breakout Is A Comfortable Cruiser
Even though Harley's touring bikes can feel like you're riding a couch down the highway, the Breakout has its own definition of comfort. With a low, reshaped seat meant to accommodate its five-gallon fuel tank, this motorcycle grants its owners the luxury of extending riding time with less fatigue. The forward controls allow riders to keep their legs in more of an outstretched position, rather than in a locked position, putting less stress on the lower body. This is especially a relief for taller riders that don't want the unpleasant feeling of having their knees at the same height as their elbows.
10 There's Minimalist Instrumentation In The Breakout
While most of the Breakout leans toward flashiness, its instrument cluster is ironically quite subtle. Without drawing attention from the rest of the bike, the Breakout keeps all of its riding information in a small, compact, user-friendly LCD console at the center of its handlebars. The rider can cycle through the speedometer, Trips A and B, gear and rpms, fuel gauge, and more. Another sign of a "modern chopper" as many of the old-school versions never had a speedometer, let alone any sort of instrument cluster.