2018+ Softail Models Breakout

fat boy or street bob

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2024 | 11:43 AM
  #11  
ACE_Moto88's Avatar
ACE_Moto88
Tourer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 164
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by Big Al 59
handling and road skills are one thing, but I don't think that is the only angle of attack when choosing a model, there is also the look and style of the bike which must correspond to one's taste and the spirit that emerges from it. Personally I ride a Low Rider S, however I am rather a calm and contemplative driver, I do not like speed and aggressive driving, but I take a lot of pleasure on its handlebar and I love the spirit and the look of this bike. As it turns out, there are few factors to take into account, but the best thing is to try..
This is great advice. I was fortunate to be around a lot of other harley riders in my friend circle to be able to test other models as well as a great dealership that let me take multiple bikes out for test rides when I was narrowing down my choices. That's where I discovered how much I dont enjoy forward controls and the bagger platform just isn't my cup of tea. I did really enjoy the sportys but after taking some softails out and ultimately the street bob, I was easily able to narrow down my choice. Find what suits you, your body and riding style. With that in mind there's a lot you can do to change a bike to fuit your body and riding style but if you can find one that is most of the way there it's a lot easier and cheaper to fine tune it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2024 | 12:16 PM
  #12  
Calif Fat Bob's Avatar
Calif Fat Bob
Road Warrior
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
Default

Originally Posted by Big Al 59
handling and road skills are one thing, but I don't think that is the only angle of attack when choosing a model, there is also the look and style of the bike which must correspond to one's taste and the spirit that emerges from it. Personally I ride a Low Rider S, however I am rather a calm and contemplative driver, I do not like speed and aggressive driving, but I take a lot of pleasure on its handlebar and I love the spirit and the look of this bike. As it turns out, there are few factors to take into account, but the best thing is to try..
Very well said there @Big Al 59 If we wanted a great handling we probably would not be on a Harley. Lol

I also can appreciate the look of nearly every Harley model which is why they have so many to choose from. Sure the Breakout isn't going to handle anywhere near as good as Street Bob, Fat Bob or Fat Boy, but then again it wasn't meant to. The lines and sexiness of that bike appeals to a different type of rider for sure.

Matt Laidlaw review:
 
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2024 | 12:22 PM
  #13  
ACE_Moto88's Avatar
ACE_Moto88
Tourer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 251
Likes: 164
From: Ontario, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by Calif Fat Bob
Very well said there @Big Al 59 If we wanted a great handling we probably would not be on a Harley. Lol

I also can appreciate the look of nearly every Harley model which is why they have so many to choose from. Sure the Breakout isn't going to handle anywhere near as good as Street Bob, Fat Bob or Fat Boy, but then again it wasn't meant to. The lines and sexiness of that bike appeals to a different type of rider for sure.

Matt Laidlaw review:
Matt Laidlaw Review
This is one model I haven't had the pleasure to ride yet and i'm hoping to test one out this year during the demo days. My brother is looking to make the jump off sport bikes finally and is really digging the breakouts so we're waiting for our local dealers to announce their demo days dates. I can definitely appreciate the look of the breakout and I've heard it handles better than you expect it to given the rake and longer wheelbase. I'll let my test ride determine that but I look forward to it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2024 | 08:01 PM
  #14  
stratplexi's Avatar
stratplexi
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
Default

Out of the 2 mentioned, Fat Boy. The Fat Boy is iconic and the new one has grown on me. The 240 looks awesome and I like floorboards. But, I bought a new 2023 Breakout over all the other Softail options. It handles way better than it should given the rake, trail, tire size, etc. Owners who have owned the new one and the older Breakout have repeatedly stated there is no comparison in terms of handling and comfort. I don’t really care one way or the other, I have a CVO Road King for weekend trips or two-up riding.



 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 08:29 AM
  #15  
Stretchman's Avatar
Stretchman
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,514
Likes: 443
From: South Florida
Default

I have a 20 Street Bob, but, I would probably opt for the softail standard now. The 107 motor has a lot of potential and it's cheaper new. I would definitely get either the Bob or the Standard with mags instead of spokes.

That's just me though. Mid controls for me are a better fit and ride quality for me, is improved. The fat tire bikes do nothing better than the taller skinny tire bikes do.
​​​​
best bet is to test ride both and compare them. This is simply my take
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 04:09 PM
  #16  
cobra23's Avatar
cobra23
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 953
From: Sarasota Florida
Default

I have a 22 Street Bob with 8000 miles and no issues. The bike has power stock but I added a stage 2 because I wanted more. My impressions:

Stock seat, brakes, and rear suspension suck

Comfortable riding position

Needs wind protection

Handles good

Runs cool

 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2024 | 08:45 PM
  #17  
IBE's Avatar
IBE
Seasoned HDF Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 4,055
From: central Fl
Default

i would have to lean to the fatboy. great handling. good riding position. all in all i think its the best.
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2024 | 07:58 PM
  #18  
Bob Z.'s Avatar
Bob Z.
Road Master
Veteran: Navy
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 313
From: Marineland Florida
Default

Same here, Fatty all the way, and I rode them all before deciding, which everyone contemplating a bike must do.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mrmikeinga
Dyna Glide Models
19
Mar 26, 2015 12:07 PM
BigNick
Softail Models
21
Jun 13, 2010 03:20 PM
von Wolffe
Dyna Glide Models
53
May 3, 2009 12:15 PM
bkelly1956
Touring Models
2
Aug 1, 2008 02:34 PM
Protrucker
General Harley Davidson Chat
69
Jul 30, 2007 04:40 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:39 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE