Long Term Test: Half a Year with a 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114

Sometime in early 2022, I was browsing Facebook Marketplace when I chanced upon my old 2013 Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R. It was the first motorbike that I owned where I was able to reach 299 km/h on a long stretch of highway, albeit for just a few fleeting moments. My son Chevy Martin saw the look on my face as I reminisced about the fun rides I had on my old Japanese sports bike, which I had to sell in 2015 to cover the expenses of our company.

Seeing my old Ninja also made me reminisce of the 2003 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup Replika, which we had as one of our former long term test rides in MotorCycle Magazine. The Boxer Cup Replika was a limited edition model, only one of six in the Philippines and one of 200 in the whole world. The fastest I’ve ridden that Bimmer was 250 km/h on the SCTEX after the tollway was newly inaugurated but not yet open to the public. I reluctantly sold the BMW when I got the Ninja in 2013.

Been There, Done That

In 2022, I didn’t have any big bikes, just the 1997 Vespa PX150E that used to be owned by actor Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon, the son of the late, great comedy icon, Dolphy. Chevy thoughtfully asked me if I’d like to buy any of my old big bikes back, if I have the money. I paused for a while and then answered, “Nah, I don’t think so. With the Ninja and the BMW, it’s a case of ‘Been There, Done That’. For my next big bike, I want it to be a Harley-Davidson.” At that time, our business was down because of the pandemic, money was tight, and getting a Harley was just a pipe dream.

Remember that old saying, “Be careful of what you wish for because it may just come true”? Well, it really happened to me. In September 2023, my wife Shawie and I were tapped by Hero MotoCorp, Ltd. (HMCL) of India, through their exclusive Philippine distributor, Terrafirma Motors Corporation (TMC) to conduct beta testing on several Hero motorcycle models. I was having fun test riding their top-of-the-line Hero Xpulse 200 4V when Shawie told me that TMC President Felix J. Mabilog, Jr. wanted to speak to me.

Going Thru a Slight Detour

Mr. Mabilog, who’s more known within the company as “FJM”, confided that they need to put up a distribution arm for their Hero motorcycle line and that he wants me to organize and lead the Division. At first, I was reluctant to join and become an employee again, after I’ve experienced the joys of being an entrepreneur. FJM courted me for several weeks and offered me a high-ranking position as Vice President for Motorcycle Distribution that came with an attractive compensation package.

As a motoring journalist, I’ve known FJM for more than 20 years and covered his stints as the President of Kia, then Peugeot, then Mahindra and recently as President of TMC, where they assemble and distribute Dayun commercial vehicles and Terrafirma Modern Jeepneys. I could never turn down a friend who needs my help, so in October 2023, my wife and I decided to put our business plans aside, for a year at the most.

An Offer That I Cannot Refuse

My new job came with perks, including a company car. FJM insinuated that as VP, I was entitled to have a chauffeur, but I didn’t know if he was serious or not, because he liked to jest. When he mentioned the budget intended for the company car, I politely asked if I can have a motorcycle instead. He was taken aback but I explained that I wanted to start a motorcycle culture within the company, since we will be going into the motorcycle business. He was initially reluctant but he saw the wisdom of my idea.

I also told FJM that since HMCL is the distributor of Harley-Davidson in India, perhaps I could get a Harley as my assigned company vehicle. Not wanting to splurge the budget that was given to me, I went out to look for a pre-owned (preloved) low-mileage late-model Harley that was priced below my budget. I found nice ones that were quickly sold before I could make an offer, and I viewed ones that were, uh… let’s just say “Not as Advertised”. I then realized finding a good pre-owned Harley-Davidson is not as easy as it seems.

Breaking Out with a Breakout

I then saw this 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114 on Facebook Marketplace and decided to check it out. It featured the 1,868cc Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine equipped with a Stage One kit, chrome Screaming Eagle air filter and chrome Vance & Hines Big Radius exhaust system. It was already fitted with an authentic H-D crash guard, aftermarket Kuryakin floorboards and brake pedal while the LA Chopper handlebars was fitted with Willie G grips and Kuryakin Scythe side mirrors. I was drooling when I saw it in person!

The seller informed me that the aftermarket accessories alone was worth a lot of money and the Breakout 114 was P1.65 Million brand new. The owner wanted to sell it quickly to get a “Springer Harley” and brought the price down to P1.08 Million. Needless to say, I immediately placed a deposit to ensure that it won’t be sold to anyone else. The company eventually came up with the balance and, on January 24, 2024, I excitedly took delivery of this preloved Harley with around 8,900 kilometers on its odometer.

Fun Ride to Work and Back

It’s around 60 kilometers from my residence in Project 8, Quezon City to the TMC factory inside the Laguna International Industrial Park (LIIP) in Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna. Thus, I get to ride my company Harley 120 kilometers via the Skyway and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) every time I go to work and back home. (If that’s not fun, I don’t know what is…) Its fat 240/40R18 rear tire transmits all 94 horses and 155 Newton-meters of torque to the ground to catapult this heavy 300-kilogram American muscle bike above legal speeds in a hurry.

Despite the dragster attitude and bobber look, The Motor Company designed improved agility and exceptional handling with the Breakout’s reinvented Softail frame and suspension, 34º rake, 145 mm trail and 1,695 mm wheelbase. Its 130/60B21 front tire complies with all my steering inputs and allows me lean angles of 26.8º left and right. Its 6-speed manual transmission is a joy to shift up and down the gears except when I need to find neutral. That’s when I need to do the infamous “Harley Two-Step” toe dance. But hey, it comes with riding a Harley-Davidson.

Right on Target

When it’s time to reign in this bad boy, the front and rear disc brakes offer fade-free stopping power, with a fixed 4-piston caliper in front and a floating 2-piston unit at the back. So far, I haven’t seen any brake dust on my Breakout’s gloss black Gasser II cast aluminum wheels. During its mandatory 8,000-kilometer Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS), which was done on February 29th (2024 was a leap year) when the odometer read 10,098 kilometers, the service technicians of Harley-Davidson of Manila (1008 EDSA, Greenhills, San Juan City) said the disc brake pads are still thick and the bike was in A-1 condition. After paying P16,800 for the PMS, I was grateful that they replaced the battery under warranty.

With a smallish peanut-style 13.2-liter fuel tank, Harley-Davidson estimated the Breakout 114’s fuel mileage at 5 liters per 100 kilometers or 20 kilometers per liter. In the six months I’ve been riding it from January 29th to July 31st, I’ve recorded an average of 19.77 kilometers per liter, which is just 0.23 km/L shy of H-D’s estimate. I can attribute that shortfall to “bleeping” the throttle every time I slow down just to hear that wonderful V-Twin staccato out of those Vance & Hines exhausts, which is not obnoxiously loud. It’s simply music to this rider’s ears.

End of the Road

I was not able to ride the Harley as much as I wanted to in July because we were busy planning the Hero launch (which was held on August 1st) and because it was raining a lot. The only thing I didn’t like about riding in the rain with the bobber-style rear fender is that the back of my helmet and riding jacket get muddy and wet because of the rooster tail produced by that fat rear tire. While I love riding the Breakout on the highways (and the Skyway), it’s honestly a bit too big to dart in and out of Metro Manila traffic. Needless the say, it’s also gets hot between your legs when you’re crawling through or stuck in traffic.

While traditional Harley riders bemoan the lack of a tank-mounted instrument panel, I appreciate the Breakout’s small 2.14-inch LCD display because it adds a sense of minimalism to the overall design. I also appreciate its different functions, where it can be selected to show the speed, time and fuel level; as well as the engine revs, distance travelled, remaining fuel range, and odometer reading. I love the self-canceling turn signal lights with their individual switches at the left and right side of the handlebar and the overall ease of mastering the controls of this American muscle bike.

As much as I loved having fun riding to work 120 kilometers every day (and making a Long Term Test story with this Harley), I missed being my own boss. I tendered my resignation as the VP effective August 31st and will soon have to return this company vehicle back to the company. My wife and I submitted an offer for the Harley, but it’s a roll of the dice. Whether or not I get to keep his preloved 2022 Breakout 114 is not really a big deal. After all, when our business venture gets going, perhaps I can get a brand new 2024 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 117, with the even bigger 1,923cc Milwaukee-Eight V-twin.

Now, how to sell that idea to my wife is another story…

LONG TERM TEST RESULTS

A. Duration of tests: 6 months

B. Distance travelled: 5,141 kilometers

C. Total fuel volume consumed: 270.15 liters

D. Total fuel costs: P17,964.01

E. Fuel mileage (B/C): 19.77 kilometers per liter

F. Fuel cost per kilometer (D/B): P3.37 per km

G. Maintenance costs: P16,800 (PMS only)

H. Maintenance cost per kilometer (G/B): P3.27 per km

I. Cost of ownership (F+H): P6.64 per km (excluding depreciation costs)

SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type: Cruiser

Price: P1,650,000 (Brand new) P1,080,000 (As tested)

Engine: Milwaukee-Eight V-twin 2-cylinder OHV 8-valves

Displacement: 1,868cc

Fuel delivery: ESPFI Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection

Maximum power: 94 hp @ 5,020 rpm

Maximum torque: 155 Nm @ 3,000 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual (1-down, 5-up)

Clutch type: Wet 10-plate mechanical/cable operation

Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 L

Wheelbase: 1,695 mm

Length: 2,370 mm

Width: 950 mm (without crash guard)

Height: 1,065 mm

Seat height: 665 mm

Weight: 305 kg

Ground clearance: 115 mm

Lean angle: 28.6º left, 26.8º right

Chassis: Rectangular section backbone, stamped, cast & forged junctions, MIG welded, aluminum forged fender supports

Front suspension: Dual Bending Valve telescopic fork, 130 mm travel

Rear suspension: Hidden piston-free coil-over monoshock with hydraulic preload adjustment, 86 mm travel

Brakes: Discs (4-piston caliper front, 2-piston caliper rear) with ABS

Wheels: Gasser II multi-spoke aluminum alloys (21-inch front, 18-inch rear)

Tires: 130/60B21 front, 240/40R18 rear