10 Reasons To Love The 2024 Harley-Davidson Breakout

The 2024 Harley-Davidson lineup is exciting. Like before, the American brand offers an array of motorcycles, from fierce and fast to thumping highway weapons. Of course, there are the brawny baggers and SoCal-style cruisers, but one motorcycle that stands out is the raunchy Breakout. The bike first debuted in 2013 with a Twin Cam 103 engine and got a complete makeover in 2018. Then, when its popularity was at an all-time high, Harley pulled its plug in America.

Luckily, after a brief hiatus, Harley-Davidson revived the moniker again in 2023 in an even better Softail frame and a Milwaukee Eight 117 engine. It was almost a complete overhaul that transformed the Breakout from an uncomfortable but stylish bike to a do-it-all package. The same is now carried over to 2024. It may not please everyone because it’s not everyone’s reservoir of coolant, but there’s still plenty to love about it. Here are 10 of these things.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Harley-Davidson, and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News. While we mention drag racing in this article, we do not support street racing in any way.

10 Excellent, Consistent Build Quality

The good ol’ adage “Harleys mark their territories” is getting old now, and the 2024 Harley-Davidson Breakout is a perfect example of this. In the last decade, HD motorcycles have cemented themselves as reliable, especially the Softail family, which sees only a few problems and issues. The Breakout is no different; the build quality is consistent and impressive, right from the switchgear to the paint finish and everything in between. The bike feels as premium as its price tag.

9 All The Gizmos That Matter

Don’t get us wrong, the Breakout isn’t a sophisticated vessel of technology. But it gets all the basics right, perfect for what most of you will ever ask for. You get ABS, traction control, cruise control, and a USB outlet, along with a small LCD dash that feeds you the basic information you’d need on the fly. The bike also gets a keyless ignition. On the flip side, the turn signal switches are still split, which can take some getting used to.

8 A Vintage-Inspired Frame Geometry That Is Still Plush

Frame Type: Mild Steel, Tubular Frame

The Breakout is the most kicked-out version of the Softail family, thanks to a whopping 34-degree rake and a long wheelbase. You’d think the Breakout handles like a boat, but you’d be wrong — it handles much like a container ship! You need to muscle the handlebar, but ride it for a while, and you’ll tune into it.

Despite the lazy handling, the motorcycle won’t break your back on bad roads. The suspension has enough travel to soak up the bumps, and the plush seat further adds to the comfort factor of the bike. It also feels quite composed at speed and fairly predictable when tackling sweeping curves. The only thing lacking is ground clearance — it will scrape a lot.

Chassis And Suspension Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

7 Feels At Home In Big Sweeping Curves And Freeways

Talking of sweeping curves, if there’s one thing that will surprise you the most, it is the Breakout’s composure in the corners. Sure, the pegs will scrape and try to turn your boots to dust, but if you take a long sweeping curve, you’ll feel confident about the bike’s handling prowess. It doesn’t feel snappy at all, as long as you put the required handlebar input. Mid-corner correction is easy, too, but don’t expect it to flip from one side to the other like a sports bike. Oh, and word of caution: this bike is not made for tight corners, forget hairpin bends.

6 Surprisingly Ergonomic And Comfortable, Too

Seat Height: 26.2 in (Unladen)

One of the biggest gripes with the previous-gen Breakout was its dragster-style riding triangle that stretched your body in an awkward position. That’s not the case with this generation. The bike gets bar risers that bring the handlebar closer to you, the seat has adequate back support, and the pegs aren’t so far out. This is a bike that you can genuinely spend hours on.

Another aspect of comfort is heat management. The big V-twin engine heats up a lot, but thanks to a few nifty upgrades, Harley claims it won’t get bothersome anymore. The biggest role is played by the Engine Idle Temperature Management System—a convoluted way of saying rear cylinder deactivation. Even the combustion chamber is made shallow to allow better heat dissipation, adding to the overall comfort factor of the bike.

Comfort And Dimension Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

5 A Brutish, Loud Design That Sucks You In

Most owners will not purchase the Breakout for its performance or handling; there are other Harley-Davidson motorcycles for those duties. This one is all about brutish custom cruiser styling. It makes a loud visual impact, thanks to its low and long lines, beast of a rear tire, and vivid colors. Look at it from the rear third quarter, and the bike will steal your heart. The bobbed fenders and minimalistic lights further add to the overall design of the bike. Brutally gorgeous if you may.

Design Highlights

• So much chrome everywhere, including fender covers, side covers, muffler shields, turn signals, and intake
• 21-inch and 18-inch cast aluminum wheels have 26 spokes with machined details
• Large five-gallon fuel tank adds to the visual weight of the bike
• Minimalistic instrument cluster is neatly tucked into the handlebar

4 So Much Substance Despite Being Style-First

For a motorcycle that is all about design and making a statement, the Breakout still has a lot of substance to it. Bring the things mentioned above, and you get a motorcycle that’s fun to ride, comfortable, and a head-turner. But our favorite element about the bike is its flat torque curve that will make you a street dragster in no time.

The Milwaukee Eight 117 twin delivers a heavy torque curve right from 1,750 RPM, catapulting you to illegal speeds in no time. Even the beefy rear tire will struggle to keep the bike in line. Whacking the throttle open on this motorcycle is quite rewarding, especially if you’re launching the bike from stoplight to stoplight. This is what you get when you want to wave the ICE flag when a Tesla is lined up next to you.

3 Ultimate Barroom Bragging Rights For An Engine

Max Torque Output: 123 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM

The heart of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Breakout is the honking Milwaukee Eight 117 V-twin, and it’s all about no replacement for displacement. The big twin should feel familiar and characterful (after all, it’s present on many H-D cruisers), and it is surprisingly versatile in the real world. Gone is the clunkiness and crude charm of an older Breakout engine. The power delivery is unfiltered, making you want to whack open the throttle every chance you get.

Engine Highlights

• The Eight in the engine’s name stands for eight valves
• Air is fed through the forward-facing Heavy Breather exposed intake
• Power is delivered via a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission and a final belt drive
• The torque curve is flat and addictive

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle News)

2 That Chonky Rear Tire

All things aside, we also love the Breakout because of its chonky rear tire. The 18-inch wheel wears a fat 240-section Michelin Scorcher tire, and it looks uber-cool. Yes, it does compromise the bike’s handling and even the fuel economy, but for a bike that’s all about style, those things don’t matter. The rear tire makes the Breakout quite special in our books.

Tire Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

1 It’s One Of A Kind Cruiser

Starting MSRP: $22,499

The Breakout is an expensive Harley-Davidson, and while it doesn’t have any direct competitors, it does have a few rivals across segments. First, there’s the Indian Chief Dark Horse, which looks savage but lacks the brutal character of the Breakout. Then, there are European cruisers, like the Ducati Diavel V4 and Triumph Rocket 3, which destroy the Breakout in terms of power and performance, but lack that American cruiser charm.

So it’s hard to find a motorcycle that brings everything the Breakout brings to the table. If all you’re looking for is a stylish bike that makes you feel like a part of the one percent gang, this is the bike to spend your money on. Yes, even if you are a dentist, the Breakout will make you the badass in your neighborhood.