2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout

The most radical of all Softails, the Breakout looks like it’s ready for a run down the dragstrip or across the Bonneville Salt Flats. The kicked-out front end has a huge 34 degrees of rake and a long 5.7 inches of steering trail, which means, quite simply, it’s built for stability at speed. The big 21-inch front and fat 18-inch rear Gasser II cast-aluminum wheels have 20 slender spokes apiece, further adding to the Breakout’s lithe, fast appearance. And the wide, flat handlebar, giant airbox, cut-off rear fender, and black muffler cans have “speed shop” written all over them. (Not literally, of course.)

Packed tighter than a Packard in a phone booth (neither of which exist anymore, lol), the standard Milwaukee-Eight 107 and optional Milwaukee-Eight 114 engines use a combo of chromed, polished, and black finishes to make the Breakout stand out. The premium 114ci motor is bored and stroked to produce 9.2 percent more torque than the base V-twin, so much the better for whatever burnouts, blastoffs, breakups—or breakouts—you have in mind. Just don’t blame us.

Likes: Speedometer, gear indicator, and fuel gauge cleverly integrated into the handlebar riser.

Dislikes: Why does every cool Harley demand riders adopt a La-Z-Boy recliner posture?

Verdict: Like collectibles? You're looking at one.

This Is The New 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage Classic