2023 Harley-Davidson Breakout review - a performance cruiser motorcycle, but now with a bigger engine

There are plenty of cruiser motorbikes out there, and there are a few Harleys to choose from, too, but if you want the most badass, fastest, most drag-strip-inspired of all, you want the Harley-Davidson Breakout.

Originally introduced in 2013 with the then ‘Twin Cam’ 103ci (1690cc) version of Harley’s traditional 45-degree, air-cooled, pushrod V-twin, it proved popular in the UK. The 2018 Harley-Davidson Breakout received a significant makeover, with the new single-shock Softail frame and Milwaukee Eight 107ci 1746cc engine (with the then biggest 114ci/1868cc version also available as an option). But now, Harley has made it bigger and brighter again.

And we can’t talk about bigger without bringing up that new engine, which is a whopping 1923cc. With 102bhp and 124.6lb.ft on tap (both up on the 107’s 86bhp and 107lb.ft) with the old, optional 1868cc 114 in-between, there’s more than enough punch.

Where the 2018 Breakout took its inspiration from drag bikes, for 2023 Harley has gone all Carlos Fandango with lashings of brightwork and four new paintjobs headlined by this ‘Baja Orange’. So, the 117’s fender (mudguard) brackets, side covers, muffler (silencer) shields, turn signals, mirrors and distinctive (and slightly intrusive) ‘Heavy Breather’ air intake are all now chrome while the other paint options are Atlas Silver, Black Denim or Vivid Black. Actually, make that ‘only’ paint options – orange has apparently already sold out.

A big thing to note is the new fuel tank. For 2023 the Breakout reverts to the larger, five-gallon (18.9-litre) tank used by the original up until the 2018 model. That upgrade saw not only a new engine and chassis but also a slimming programme which both cut kilos and used a smaller 3.7 gallon (13.6-litre) tank. The US market, apparently, didn’t approve, leading to the Breakout being dropped from its domestic range. Now it's back, with the big tank restored.

If any two aspects define the Breakout they’re surely its big engine… and even bigger wheels. In terms of the latter, dimensions are unchanged at 18-inches rear wearing an ultra-fat 240-section Michelin Scorcher tyre and 21in/130 front. The wheels themselves, however, are new: a stylish ‘Roulette’ design with 26 alternately contrasting spokes.

As far as riding comfort goes, although the ’23 version of the Breakout 117 is a significant improvement, the handling element still leaves a lot to be desired. Although the Breakout was never the best ‘riding’ Harley, thanks to its brutish, long and lean lines and beast of a back tyre, no Hog had a more powerful visual impact. For many that was enough. That’s unchanged, in fact, thanks to the extra chrome, smart new wheels and vivid colours, it’s actually enhanced.

The bigger 117ci engine is a bonus, too. Although, in reality, the new Breakout’s performance is not dramatically different to before, its barroom bragging rights most certainly are. Instead, the biggest improvement is its much better comfort. With the old Breakout you tolerated its awkwardness and lack of comfort for its attitude and looks. Now it’s a bike you can genuinely tackle big miles on – in style.

With an ultra-fat 240-section Michelin Scorcher tyre and 21in/130 front, the most kicked-out version of the Softail frame (with a whopping 34 degrees of rake), a long 1695mm wheelbase and hefty but low slung 310kg wet weight, the Breakout 117 has the steering characteristics of a container ship, with equally minimal ground clearance. However, it’s worth noting that you do tune into it.

Perhaps the biggest criticism of the old 2018 Breakout was rider comfort – or the lack of it. The drag bars/feet forward riding position could be an awkward stretch and put most of the rider’s weight on their backside which, over jolts and bumps was jarring.

This has now been subtly but significantly improved. The bar risers are 3/4inch (19mm) higher and so nearer the rider while the seat has also been reshaped to accommodate the new tank. Although that sounds minimal, I had no major comfort concerns during half a day in the saddle over all types of road.

Harley’s largest engine is a seriously impressive bit of kit, offering a serious amount of punch from that hefty motor. ‘117’ refers to its capacity in cubic inches which equates to a whopping 1923cc.

The big twin’s delivery is familiar, characterful and more flexible and versatile than you might expect with a traditional Harley clunkiness and crude charm but also, in this tune, an extra macho raw punch that excites when you whack open the throttle.

Harley-Davidson have really cemented their reputation as a reliable brand, with the previous generation of the Softail family seeing very little in terms of problems and issues.

The build quality is still consistently impressive across the board, and the latest Breakout 117 carries on that tradition to an impressive level. It’s also worth noting that the majority of Breakouts will probably cover less in terms of mileage compared to the truly touring-bred machinery.

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At almost £25,000, the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 is not a cheap motorcycle, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, even though it’s not directly comparable it’s more expensive than pretty much any of its rivals, and that includes the likes of the cheaper Indian Chief Dark Horse.

Looking to Europe, even the sportier Ducati Diavel V4, or the beastly Triumph Rocket 3 are cheaper than the Harley and they both destroy the American contender in power and performance, too.

But then again, you’re paying for the style, the brand and everything that comes with it, which is pretty much unique.

In terms of its appearance, the Breakout 117 wins the equipment competition hands down, and for a lot of customers, that’s all that they ask for.

However, in terms of true equipment, it’s pretty much bare to the bones. In terms of electronics, all you get is ABS, switchable traction and cruise control, which is fed through a small LCD dash.