2013 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Factory Custom, Full Stop
The CVO Breakout is Harley-Davidson's factory custom taken all the way. It starts with the Breakout's long, low stance: a skinny 21-inch front wheel out ahead and a 240-section rear tire filling the fender. Then it gets the full CVO treatment of deep paint and polished chrome. The steel backbone frame carries the air-cooled Twin Cam 110, a 45° V-twin displacing 1802 cc and making 90 hp and 112 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm. Torque is what this bike is about. ABS, cruise control and keyless ignition come standard, but nothing about it is trying to feel modern. It's chopper style straight from the factory floor.
On the road it's a boulevard machine first. The 67.3 in (1,710 mm) wheelbase and 724 lb (328 kg) wet weight make it rock-steady at freeway speed, and once you're rolling, the low center of gravity hides much of that mass. Neither the fork nor the shock adjusts, so you live with the factory settings. This is the bike for a rider who buys atmosphere, wants to be seen, and rides shorter, spirited loops rather than cross-country slogs. The honest caveat is ownership. Confirm that fuel gauge recall 14V-185 has been done, and check the polished parts for bubbling clear coat.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 90 hp (67 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 112 lb-ft (152 Nm) @ 3,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 1802 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front tire | 130/60-21 |
| Rear tire | 240/40-18 |
| Wheelbase | 67.3 in (1710 mm) |
| Seat height | 25.8 in (655 mm) |
| Wet weight | 724 lb (328 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.9 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Safety
Inaccurate fuel gauge (Recall 14V-185)
The fuel level indication system may not correctly read the amount of fuel, causing the gauge to show more fuel than is actually in the tank. This can lead to running out of fuel unexpectedly. Dealers update the software to fix the issue.
Clear coat delamination on polished metal
Some owners report moisture getting under the clear coat on polished metal parts, leading to rust and bubbling. Harley-Davidson acknowledged the issue and offered warranty replacements, but repairs can be costly outside the warranty period.
Where this Harley-Davidson CVO Breakout FXSBSE pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CVO Breakout FXSBSE is actually built for.
Roll into Sturgis or Daytona on this and people will stop to look. The stance, the chrome and the sound of that big twin give you the identity you came for, no apologies needed.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For an easy pace through small towns and along historic routes, it has the classic presence you're after. Just plan fuel stops around the 5.0 gal tank and respect the 724 lb of steel and chrome.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Honestly, this isn't your bike. It's built for the boulevard and shorter runs. With a 5.0 gal tank and non-adjustable suspension, the big national-park loops call for a real tourer.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2014
Chrome-Dipped Factory Chopper
Successor · 2016–2017
Factory Custom, Drag-Strip Soul
Competitor · 2014–2017
Maximum Chopper Stance, Yamaha Reliability
Competitor · 2016–2020
Italian Style, Superbike Soul