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.