The Breakout is Harley’s most ‘hot rod’ style ‘Hog’, has a distinctive long, low, dragster attitude (and is popular, if a little extreme, because of it) and received a substantial make-over for 2023 with a bigger engine, extra chrome, more bling and a revised riding position among the modifications.
First introduced in 2013, this latest, third update, gets Harley’s biggest 117 cubic inch version of its classic V-twin engine, stylish new wheels, extra chrome, a revised seat, new tank, all-new paint jobs and updated looks – and it goes better than ever too. That said, it’s not the most practical (or comfortable) of ‘Hogs’, isn’t particularly fast, doesn’t handle all that well and isn’t very well equipped. But as a definitive Harley-Davidson style icon, they don’t get much bolder.
In order to deliver ‘hot rod’ performance, the updated Breakout was given the biggest classic V-twin Harley engine available. While the 2013 original had the ‘Twin Cam’ 103ci (1690cc) incarnation of the Motor Company’s 45-degree, air-cooled, pushrod V-twin, in 2018 it gained the ‘Milwaukee Eight’ 107ci (1746cc) engine (with the then biggest 114ci/1868cc version also available as an option) which has now been made bigger again, with that 117ci capacity now equating to a whopping 1923cc.
Other relevant numbers include 102bhp and 124.6lb.ft of torque. The result is still classic Harley – clunky, characterful yet more flexible and versatile than you might expect – but now with an extra raw punch that excites, especially as the only electronics are ABS, switchable traction and cruise control. It’s no 150bhp+ Ducati Diavel or Triumph Rocket 3, admittedly, but it does have a tyre-squealing kick that’s fun.
Handling, however, isn’t exactly its forte. The long and low stance means the forks are kicked out at a long 34 degrees which makes for ponderous, tiller-like steering. At the rear, there’s a massive, 240-section drag bike inspired rear tyre, which also doesn’t like going round corners.
There’s not much by way of suspension travel and the overall result has the steering characteristics of a container ship and the ride of (virtually) a hard tail chopper. You do tune into it, and, after time, gentle bends can be swept round with pleasure, but considering what the Breakout is really all about, it doesn’t seem to matter all that much anyway. Braking, meanwhile, is pretty menial, too, with only a single front disc at the front, which is only just adequate, although and, even then, you need to use the rear at the same time.
For a true posing machine like the Breakout a comfortable riding position isn’t so important and its drag bike style, feet-forward, arm-stretched, low bum posture remains fairly extreme, although with this new version it is improved. Extended (by 19mm) handlebar risers mean the stretch to the drag bars isn’t quite as bad as before and the new seat (necessary as Harley has reverted to the Breakout’s previous, larger, 18.9-litre fuel tank) is better too. As a result, longer, 100-mile+ cruises are possible, although the Breakout still most happy in its natural habitat posing along a promenade.
As you might therefore expect, practicality isn’t the Breakout’s forte. If you want a practical Harley, get a ‘bagger’ like the popular Street Glide (or the new generation PanAmerica adventure bike) but if you instead want the most ‘posey’ Harley out there, the Breakout’s right up there. It’s uncomfortable, has no weather protection or luggage, can’t easily take a pillion, is cumbersome, heavy and awkward around town, is so precious you wouldn’t want to ride it in the wet and is so pricey it’s not even economic transport – but then you knew all that already…
Big engine and drag bike styling apart, ‘less’ is mostly ‘more’ with the new Breakout, so don’t expect much in the way of fancy fripperies. This update has seen the Breakout revert back to the bigger, 18.9 litre fuel tank, which now gives a welcome range of around 200 miles.
The tiny, reversed LCD ‘strip’ dash on the top yoke may seem joke-like at first but keeps with the look of the bike and actually displays everything you need. There are no modes (but there is switchable traction control and basic ABS) and no luggage or wind protection, either, but the lights are now LED, the seat has been improved, there are stylish, new 26-spoke cast alloy wheels, fancy new graphics, lashings of extra chrome and four different colourways.
Nearly £25,000 is an awful lot of money, whichever way you look at it, especially when you consider the Breakout’s limited practicality and minimal equipment. In Ireland, the Breakout is priced at €32,995 and, to some, it looks a million dollars.
But the Breakout is also Harley’s definitive drag-style cruiser and this new 117 version is better than ever. The new motor is a significant step up; the styling is improved, too, via a combination of new wheels, seat and tank, paint jobs and extra chrome, and the surprise bonus is that it’s more comfortable, too. If you want the definitive Harley dragster, the Breakout is the one, and now it’s better than ever.
Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 specification
Price: £24,795 (UK) / €32,995 (Ireland)
Engine: 1923cc V-twin, OHV, two valves per cylinder, air cooled
Power: 102hp (76kW) @ 5020rpm
Torque: 168Nm (124lb-ft) @ 3500rpm
Transmission: Six-speed, belt final drive
Frame: Tubular steel cradle
Suspension: (F) Non-adjustable 49mm RWU forks, (R) preload adjustable single ‘Softail’ shock.
Wheels: 26-spoke cast alloy
Tyres: (F) 130/60 x 21 (R) 240/40 x 18
Brakes: (F) 300mm disc, four-piston caliper, (R) 292mm disc, two-piston caliper. ABS
Weight: 310kg (kerb)
Wheelbase: 1,695mm
Seat height: 665mm
Fuel tank: 18.9 litres
Fuel consumption: 51mpg (tested)
Service intervals: 10,000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: www.harley-davidson.com
Words: Phil West
Photos: Harley-Davidson
