Australia’s favourite Harley is Back in Black
Australia’s favourite Harley-Davidson is going Back in Black.
Harley-Davidson has revealed a new Blacked-Out Breakout exclusively for Australia and New Zealand, taking the long, low and fat-tyred cruiser that Aussies seemingly cannot get enough of and giving it an altogether darker factory-custom treatment.
It is a particularly appropriate move for a motorcycle that has developed something approaching cult status in Australia. The Breakout has been Harley-Davidson’s perennial local bestseller.
That popularity has always been somewhat intriguing from a purely dynamic perspective.
Within Harley-Davidson’s Cruiser range, the Breakout is arguably the poorest handler of the bunch. Its raked-out geometry, enormous 240-section rear tyre and stretched wheelbase are hardly ingredients for scalpel-sharp direction changes.
Australians, however, clearly don’t give a toss.
That huge rear hoop, skinny 21-inch front wheel and unmistakably long-and-low silhouette are precisely what make a Breakout a Breakout — and precisely why Australian riders keep buying them.
The Breakout’s long 1695 mm wheelbase, 21-inch front wheel and fat 240-section rear tyre remain central to its unmistakable silhouette.
Back in Black
The new Blacked-Out Breakout receives a fresh trim treatment across key components, paired with Black Denim paint and a Blackline-inspired graphics package.
Harley says the new treatment gives the Breakout a darker and more assertive factory-custom appearance while retaining the silhouette that has made the model such a favourite throughout Australia and New Zealand.
There is no suggestion of a corresponding mechanical overhaul.
Instead, this is very much about appearance — which, given the Breakout’s reason for being, makes plenty of sense.
Interestingly, Harley-Davidson previously moved the Breakout back toward a brighter, more lavish chrome treatment after years when blacked-out customs dominated the range.
Now Australian and New Zealand customers get an exclusive opportunity to head firmly back to the dark side.
Under the blacked-out treatment remains the 1923 cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom, producing 103 hp and 171 Nm.
Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom
The Blacked-Out Breakout retains Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-Twin.
The 1923 cc pushrod V-Twin produces a claimed 103 horsepower at 4800 rpm and a substantial 171 Nm of torque at just 3000 rpm.
Drive is through Harley’s six-speed Cruise Drive transmission and belt final drive.
The engine remains one of the strongest elements of the Breakout package. There is considerable shove from low revs, and the 117 suits the bike’s relaxed, muscular character extremely well. Fit for purpose.
An 18.9-litre fuel tank gives the Breakout more useful range than its stretched custom appearance might suggest.
Modern electronics beneath the custom look
For all its deliberately traditional styling, the latest Breakout is hardly primitive underneath.
ABS, traction control, Drag-Torque Slip Control and tyre-pressure monitoring are standard.
Cornering-enhanced ABS, cornering traction control and cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control are also included.
The four-inch analogue speedometer incorporates digital displays for gear position, odometer, fuel level, ride modes, traction control, ABS, tyre pressures, cruise control, range and tachometer functions.
There is also USB-C power.
Suspension consists of a 49 mm dual-bending-valve telescopic fork offering 130 mm of travel, while the hidden rear monoshock provides 86 mm of travel and hydraulic preload adjustment.
Braking is via a single 300 mm front rotor with a four-piston fixed caliper and a 292 mm rear rotor with a two-piston floating caliper.
Australia and the Breakout
Australia’s relationship with the Breakout has long been unusually strong.
The model first appeared in CVO guise before becoming part of Harley-Davidson’s mainstream range, and Australian buyers rapidly embraced its exaggerated custom styling.
Indeed, demand remained so strong here that Australia became one of the most important markets for the Breakout globally.
That helps explain why this latest treatment is being offered specifically to Australia and New Zealand.
There are arguably better Harley-Davidsons to actually ride quickly.
There are Harley-Davidsons that steer better, stop better and offer significantly more cornering clearance.
But none of that has stopped Australians from voting with their wallets.
It’s about looking back at it after you’ve parked it.
Blackened Breakout due October
The new Blacked-Out Harley-Davidson Breakout is expected to arrive in authorised dealerships across Australia and New Zealand from October 2026.
Harley-Davidson has yet to announce Australian pricing for the new treatment.
Riders can register their interest with their local authorised Harley-Davidson dealer.
Australia’s favourite Harley is back in black.
Not that it ever really went away.
The new Blacked-Out Harley-Davidson Breakout brings a darker factory-custom treatment to Australia’s favourite Harley.