Good news for die-hard cruising enthusiasts. Harley-Davidson has included the Breakout back in the range. In addition to giving the übercruiser a new fresh look, the Americans have also given it a motor boost.
Since our very first meeting in October 2017, when the complete (and updated) Softail line-up was presented by Harley-Davidson during a multi-day event in Catalunya, we have a soft spot for the Breakout, which was the most steerable of all Softail models at the time, but with which we had the greatest fun.
Simply because it really gives a huge kick when you can stay in the rear wheel of something that is super nimble with something that takes effort. Sure, at first everything scraped to the ground on both sides, after which it became a challenge to go around the corner as hard as possible without being accompanied by scraping noises.
This was confirmed more than three years later during a comparison with the BMW R 18. The Breakout was outclassed on all fronts by the R 18, thanks to a block that was much smoother and had more punch, a chassis that steered almost intuitively and brakes that were much better.
Still, the key (forward, remote, Harley has had a keyless ride since time immemorial) to the Breakout had been snatched first off the table every time. Because it did prevail in one very essential area: the Breakout was an explosive barrel full of emotion, which the R 18 lacked altogether. That plus its design: minimalism at its best.
We were therefore dumbfounded when it was announced that the Breakout had been silently removed from the stage, but fortunately that turned out to have been short-lived. For 2023, the Breakout returns to the range, with more power and bright new styling.
The most important update that the 2023 Breakout has received is in the powertrain, where the beating heart is now formed by the Milwaukee Eight 117 V-twin, where it was the Milwaukee Eight 114 with its predecessor. The 117 is the pinnacle of torque and displacement in a factory-installed, production Harley-Davidson powertrain, according to the Americans.
In addition, the Breakout is now equipped with electronic cruise control as standard, so that you can now cruise even more relaxed if you don’t want to bark a nice road like us like an idiot. Optionally, the Breakout can also be equipped with traction control, which can be easily switched off with a button on the steering wheel.
Other new features of the 2023 Breakout include a significantly larger 18.9 liter fuel tank (up from 13.2 litres) and 19mm taller handlebar risers for better reach of the controls. In addition, the rear fender supports, side covers, mufflers, indicators, mirrors and the Heavy Breather intake are chromed and the new 26-spoke cast aluminum wheels are finished in gloss black with machined details.
The 2023 Breakout is available in Vivid Black, Black Denim, Baja Orange and Atlas Silver Metallic. Prices from € 34,195.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.