Road test of Harley-Davidson1690 SOFTAIL BREAKOUT FXSB 2016 Star quality

star quality, even at red lights!

back with the Oli le Belge team for a week of Harley testing. On the team's agenda: road king, Softail Slim and Breakout 1690
Appointment at H-D Capital Brussels. We were given a warm welcome by a young, dynamic team, and even a complimentary cup of coffee!

go, for me the Breakout, and my first impression...
Ooh la la, what a classy machine, with its huge 240 tire, it gives me the impression of a real dragster!

well, here we go!

time to get to grips with this Softail, with its low profile, advanced footrests and superb Drag handlebars designed exclusively for the Breakout model.designed exclusively for the Breakout model, where all cables are integrated, preserving the minimalist look of this stripped-down custom. All these features put a smile on my face, with an aggressive riding position and the power of an exceptional machine.

back to the ring for a ride home. Admire the Breakout's High Output Twin Cam 103B engine and its shiny chrome.

there's no denying this custom's breathtaking torque. From first to sixth gear, it's ready to challenge anything.
A well-balanced suspension gives it impeccable handling, even with its oversized tire.

over the course of the week, I covered 600 km on the freeways and in the Ardennes, with some very beautiful roads like those in the Molignée valley.
This bike has an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Whether you're looking for a smooth ride, to be at ease in town or on country roads, or even a sportier ride, the Breakout remains a terrific all-rounder.

the only downside to our photo and video day with Team Oli le Belge was that my little wife had a hard time holding on to what I call a real "ejector-gonzesse"! And I'm not even talking about the state of her bottom after 200 km!

as for the weak points, my first criticism would be the brakes. During the week, I had the opportunity to test some heavy braking and although I didn't scare myself at all, as the calipers did their job properly, a little more bite would be a considerable luxury to stop this custom's 309 kg dry weight!

another weak point is obviously the steering angle, with its low ground clearance and the pretty 240 mm shoe at the rear. It's advisable to take traffic circles and other bends gently and delicately if you don't want to change your footrests after every ride.

in conclusion

the Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout is a classy, muscular custom that's an eye-catcher anywhere!
I'm not exaggerating when I say that at least twenty people took photos of it during the week!

i already think it's a real beauty from the outset, but a few options like more mufflers to hear it speak properly would be a must...
But then, homologation obliges...

Speedy