The new Harley-Davidson Breakout belongs to the street

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Long and low-slung, the Breakout features a 240mm rear tyre visually balanced with thick forks and chopped fenders, while a shaved tank console and a drag handlebar keep the profile low. A Twin Cam 103 powertrain and other components are trimmed in gleaming chrome and gloss-black paint.

Like the 2013 Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) Breakout model that precedes it, the Breakout features styling that's designed to be smooth, tight, and intended to showcase the engine and the tyres.

"With Breakout we got down to motorcycle essentials, which means emphasising the powertrain and the wheels," says Harley-Davidson Styling Manager Kirk Rasmussen. "The black and chrome engine visually pops out of the centre the bike, and then to maximise the impact of the tyres, the fenders are chopped. We wanted a lot of rubber showing to give the Breakout a tough, muscular look."

The Gasser wheels are new and specific to the Breakout, according to Rasmussen.

A lower profile

"We've always loved the gasser-style drag racing wheels from the '60s and '70s," says Rasmussen. "Our wheels are loosely inspired by those classics. Each wheel has 10 half-round spokes. The gloss-black powder coat is machined away on alternating spokes and the rim edge to expose the aluminium under the paint."

A gloss-black finish is also applied to the new cast aluminium oil tank, as well as fork lowers, brake rotors, muffler shields and the handlebar.

"To lower Breakout's overall profile, we placed the speedometer on the handlebar riser," says Rasmussen, "and topped the fuel tank with a black leather strip that covers the seam, and a chrome-plated pod that's just high enough to conceal necessary wiring and vent lines. The handlebar is a new curved drag bend that which I think feels aggressive when you ride."

The Softail chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but uses rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight within the frame rails. The Breakout is fitted with ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) and the Harley-Davidson factory-installed security system.

Key Breakout features

• The Twin Cam 103B engine with 1690cc, counter-balanced and rigid-mounted within the frame, is rated at 95.9 ft. lbs. of torque at 3000rpm. The engine is equipped with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), and Automatic Compression Release (ACR), and is mated to a 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission.
• The powertrain is finished in black powder coat with chrome covers and gloss-black shields over chrome dual-staggered mufflers.
• Gasser-style 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels are finished in gloss-black powder coat with machined highlights; 8 by 18-inch rear and 3.5 by 21-inch front.
• Floating front and rear brake rotors have gloss-black carriers.
• Front and rear fenders are chopped. The front fender location and bracket are specific to the Breakout. The rear fender is shaped and positioned to fit close to the 240mm tyre. One-piece forged aluminium rear fender supports are highly polished.
• The front end spreads 49mm forks approximately 45mm wider than previous FX Softail models to allow fitment of a 130mm front tyre. The fork lowers and headlight bucket are finished in gloss black.
• New Single-Rib Cast Aluminium Oil Tank is finished in gloss black.
• An 18.9 litre fuel tank is topped with a black moulded-leather strip and a low-profile chrome cover.
• The two-piece seat features a passenger pillion that may be removed without tools for solo riding and to fully expose the rear fender. Laden seat height is 628mm.
• An all-new wide drag-style handlebar is finished in gloss black. The speedometer is mounted on the chrome pullback handlebar riser.
• Discreet low centre-mount license plate and combination stop/tail/turn lights leave the wide rear fender uncluttered.
• The glass-filled fuel tank medallions and graphics are exclusive to the Breakout.
• Available solid colours include Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl and Ember Red Sunglo.