Liking the Breakout even more after sitting 2 on sat!

 

I took one for a test ride a few days ago to see how it compares to my Dyna. Overall, I liked it. But I did find there were just a few things I wasn't crazy about.

Not a fan of the tiny speedo and the lack of a dedicated fuel gage is just strange. Those are both annoying enough that I would probably want to do something about it.

The biggest issue is the lean angle. For me that may be a deal killer. I scraped VERY easily, which I didn't like at all. Removing the feelers would help, but how much it would help is an open question.

The overall feel was okay, but not as good as my Fat Bob. I felt just a tiny bit cramped, which no doubt is mostly due to the extremely low seat height. A Sundowner might help mitigate that to some degree.

I'm tall and have long arms and I like the drag bars on the Fat Bob, but the reach on the Breakout is a little too tedious in stock configuration. I didn't notice it when just sitting on it, but after riding for ten minutes I could feel it. Lots of options for new bars, though, so that isn't too much of a conern to me. I would love to ride one with apes on it to see how that feels. Looks cool, but how does it feel?

Front brakes stink. Why Harley is still producing Softails with single disks up front is beyond me. That's something that should have been fixed ages ago.

I found the handling reasonably responsive, but I didn't have an opportunity to ride it going more than about 45-50, so I would like to ride it again to get a better idea what it can do and just how much of an issue the cornering clearance is. It definitely has an issue withe the lean angle, but I'm not sure if it's something I could live with or not.

Stock pipes suck. Who cares.

Front headlight is too minimalist. Needs a little more style.

So would I trade my Dyna for one? Honestly, I think it probably wins the looks contest, but the Dyna is an overall better bike. So how important are looks? And can the Breakout's weaknesses be addressed to bring it more in line with the capabilities of a Dyna? Not sure.

 

I agree, many issues can be fixed or modified to make the ultimate ride!

 

Goldtop, how do you like those mini apes? How did they change the feel of the bike from the stock bars?

I saw a custom Breakout at a dealership with the same bars, but they sold it before I even got a chance to sit on it. If I ever get a Breakout, I'd be interested in the same set.

 

Pro: I'm biased so i think everything is great about it.

Con: beware of limited part availability. If you need a replacement part, it comes from the production line with a long leadtime. Customer support inventory does not exist yet. I'm going on 4 weeks and 4 days waiting on a new ignition switch to replace a faulty one. Bike has been sitting the whole time. (part of the long duration is due to a certain horrible dealership that I won't mention)

 

Apes make the Breakout feel like a whole new bike.

 

I've only rode and sat stock bars. And I do like em bc of my very long arms. Also bc of riding rodeo and some other back damage living the hard life, it helps me to lean forward a bit and am most comfortable.


Sure , I'm open to mini apes .............


Must say I'm jones n for a Breakout in Candy or Whiskey ........

 

Okay, sorry. I thought the amber one pictured above was yours. I guess that belongs to HKMark23, so I should direct my question about apes to him (or anyone else with apes on a Breakout). Do you feel like you're a sail with the mini apes? I sort of hunker down and lean forward on my Fat Bob, and I'm worried apes would make me feel less stable and like I'm getting blown around on the road.

On a somewhat different note, has anyone tried a Sundowner on the Breakout? How did it affect the riding position? Did it allow you to stretch a bit more because of the thickness, or did it end up moving you further forward?

 

Hi DM426, Like 24V stated, the apes make the Breakout a different bike. On the highway I find sitting back on my BO very comfortable. On the street, low speed handling is way better with the apes. Its easier to sit straight and let the bike lean/roll under you. I found that with the relatively inflexible forward body positioning coupled with forward foot controls, low speed maneuvering with stock bars was more cumbersome, for me.

If you like leaning forward then the stock bars are going to suit you better I would think. With its long wheel base and low clearance, the BO is no sporter, (I'm a new rider but have ridden a Honda 700 sporter). Set up your BO as a cruiser and you'll be cruisin ,,

 

I have to chime in on this...Mini apes are the perfect type of bars for this bike - reminds me of the sitting position on a Dyna Wide Glide before they made the overhaul to it's style with the lower bars and refined rear fender - very comfortable, no back or neck issues at all. Turns it into a comfortable cruiser with awesome power and handling. No issues with getting blown around the road, at least not like I experienced with 18's on my Heritage when i had it - the higher the bars the more the wind catches you and gives that "kite" feel, but with 10" mini apes the wind flows right over your arms and shoulders. Some don't like apes on the stock risers but if you can get past that then you will be very happy with the setup (besides, who gives a crap what someone likes/doesn't like about your bike, as long as you're smiling). Being taller than average, I also installed 3" Ness foot control extensions. So when I ride this beast now I'm no longer cramped up and hunched over as if it were a crotch rocket, and instead it's as comfortable as it can get. As far as the Sundowner seat, it is nearly like stock in comfort and looks, but some feel it looks a little strange when you use one without a passenger pillion attached. I always have the passenger pillion attached. I agree with some others that the 2014 color choices aren't for me, but then again I'm preferential to black.
Having said all of that, if you are in the market for a Vivid Black 2013 Breakout with the mini apes setup, mine is for sale and I will give you a super deal over buying a new one. Except for the 10" mini apes and Diamond Black upgraded cables with CVO grips, the Ness extensions and the Stage 1 with Bassani Firepower slip-on's, this bike is basically stock and ready for someone to mod. I do have the stock bars/cables/mufflers to go with it. PM me.