A Closer Look at The 2013 Harley-Davidson FXSB Breakout
Ah, the halycon days of 2013. Queen Elizabeth II had just become a great grandmother. Elsa was telling us to “Let it Go”. The Pope resigned and Obama started his second term. And one by one, every state in the United States was starting to accept that love is love. It was also the year the world was introduced to the 2013 Harley-Davidson FXSB Breakout. Harley has long been a symbol of rebellion to the point that squids who don’t know any better will put Harley Davidson stickers on just any bike. This was no exception. Let’s look at ten amazing facts about the 2013 Harley-Davidson FXSB Breakout.
10. It Has Some Retro Roots in Drag Racing
The twenty-one by three and a half inch front and eighteen by eight inch rear Gasser wheels that are exclusive to the Breakout are inspired at least somewhat by drag-racing wheels from the 1960’s and ’70’s. Said wheels each have ten half-circle spokes. What’s more, the gloss-black powder coating machines from every other spoke all the way to the edge of the rims. All the better to show off that aluminum!
9. Paint It Black
The Breakout came in three colorways; Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl and Ember Red Sunglo. But no matter which one you get, black will be a major accent color. The headlight bucket, bar, brake-disc carriers and fork lowers are all painted a glossy black, like a leather jacket. The single-rib, cast aluminum oil tank was also painted glossy black. Just the thing for the ultimate rebel.
8. It Was Designed to Flaunt the Engine, Tank and Tires
Mounting the spedometer on the chromed handlebar riser leaves a lot of exposure for the gas tank to start with. A black leather strip covers the seam and draws even more attention to the tank. The black and chrome engine visibally stands out of the center the bike. The fenders are chopped just to maximize the impact of the tire. A good deal of rubber is exposed, giving the Breakout look that says “Watchu want, punk?”.
7. It’s Straight but Low
Like a cowboy, the 2013 Harley-Davidson is long and low slung. The seat height is a mere 24.7 inches plus the two hundred and forty millimeter rear tire is balanced visually with thick forks and chopped fenders. A shaved tank console and a drag handlebar lend more to the low profile.
6. It Was Voluntarily Recalled
In April of 2014, Harley Davidson Inc. voluntarily recalled some models of its Breakout and CVO Breakout motorcycles including the 2013 FXSB Breakout. The reason given was a problem with a fuel range indicator. This isn’t terribly dangerous. It just means the motorcycle may run out of gas and fail to let you know it’s running low. If you can get your hands on one, you’ll have to mentally keep up with how much fuel you have.
5. The Seat is a Corbin
To quote everyone’s favorite motorcycle enthusiast, The Fonz, “Sit on it!” This goes double if the motorcycle’s saddle is a Corbin. The custom saddle Corbin made for the 2013 Harley Davidson FXSB Breakout sublimely flows along the lines of the bike and fuel tank, integrating perfectly with the bike. The ergonomic lumbar support can’t be beat.
4 The Pillion Comes With a Few Surprises.
Not a rider! You’ll have to get that yourself. However, the backrest of the pillion seat can be ordered with a four liter glovebox compartment that is completely waterproof. You can put your cell phone, a spare helmet or a little picnic lunch in here for you and your date. Does your ol’ lady (or ol’ man, whatever you like) complain that the seat is too cold? Not a problem. The pillion seat has a heating option that the rider can control. The driver’s seat has its own separate heating option.
3. Charlie Hunnam Loves a Harley
He plays the troubled bad boy Jax Teller on Sons of Anarchy, but even when the cameras stop rolling, Charlie Hunnam can’t resist a good ride on a Harley. He looks cool as a cuccumber at the North Pole tilting on a 2013 Harley Davidson in a simple jeans and hoodie ensemble. That half helmet is a little retro, but accessorizing with those sunglasses just make him look super cool.
2. It’s a Nice Looking Bike, but the Mileage is Less than Great
This is probably connected to the recall. Not only does the fuel gauge not work like it’s supposed to, the Breakout only gets forty-two miles to the gallon. Between that and the malfunctioning fuel gauge, you’re going to be a regular customer at the loal gas station. You might even want to put a fuel can in that four liter glovebox, just in case.
1. It’s a City Bike
The press kit for the Breakout showed it doing burnouts on a beach, but soft sands might be all it can handle. The 2013 Harley looks tough, but it’s a city slicker through and through. It’s a high end cruiser that will take you through town to go bar hopping or to pick up odds and ends from the local convenience store. It’s not meant for long road trips, racing or playing cowboy on a steel horse. It will get you from point A to point B, if that’s all you want. You may be just puttering around, but at least you’ll look good doing it.
What else can you say about the 2013 Harley Davidson FXSB Breakout? It came in like a Wrecking Ball and made a nice Roar. It’s definitely not for the Suit & Tie set. There are some Blurred Lines on how well the fuel gauge works and the mileage may give you a Heart Attack. But We Can’t Stop loving those Harleys! If you Get Lucky enough to find one Come & Get It. You won’t just be Counting Stars. You’ll be ready to say “Hold On, We’re Going Home.”