2025 Harley-Davidson Breakout Review – First Ride

The Harley-Davidson Breakout was perhaps the biggest surprise for me in a number of ways. Thoughts of Orange County Choppers and other fads from the early aughts consume the same space in my mind as the Breakout. It’s a reasonable conclusion given that the Breakout first hit the scene as an ostentatious factory “chopper” within H-D’s CVO line. The Breakout even dropped from the U.S. cruiser line for a bit in 2020, but was brought back in 2023.

While the Breakout still holds some of that chopper-esque styling, it has matured, but the chrome is here to stay. With forward controls and a flat bar, you’d be forgiven for thinking the riding position was going to be strange. Interestingly enough, it’s quite comfortable – even if it does put a fair amount of weight on your tailbone. At least the seat is comfy and lowest of the group at 26.2 inches. Not only was the Breakout comfortable, it handled far better than expected. It’s much easier to bend into a corner than the Fat Boy. While the two share the same thicc 240-section rear Michelin, the Breakout swaps in a 21-inch front wheel with a 130/60B21 Scorcher.

Upon closer inspection, all of the geometry numbers suggest an ill-handling machine: a 36 degree rake is by far the largest of the bunch and the 66.7-inch wheelbase is the longest, too. In spite of a spec sheet slandering, the Breakout works much better than it should – until you enter a bumpy corner. Then you realize just how little feedback you’re getting from the front wheel as it wags around on you while the bike is leaned over in a corner. Even the 3.4-inches of travel didn’t bother me as the cush seat cradled my tailbone. At 681 pounds, it’s third lightest of the Softails.

Sure, I probably wouldn’t be looking to tour on the Breakout, but with 126 lb-ft of torque and 104 hp, the “Custom” tune Milwaukee-Eight 117 is ready to slingshot you from light to light. Thankfully, you’ve got all that rubber out back for traction (oh, and traction control). Eh, who cares? Turn that TC off and light that thing up! The Breakout’s the life of the party! I’m sure those 240 Michelin Scorchers are cheap anyway.

Pricing starts at $23,099 for Billiard Gray with Vivid Black, Centerline (Yellow), Brilliant Red, and Midnight Firestorm running a premium.

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