There’s a great bike out there for you, no matter how you want to travel.
It’s hard to think of a more fulfilling way to see the world than by motorcycle. Unimpeded views and a more exciting means of travel go hand in hand.
One of the most enjoyable ways to see the world is by motorcycle.
Motorcycles are an excellent mode of transportation for exploring new places. Riding a motorcycle provides the best vantage point. However, the type of bicycle you acquire is determined by your destination(s), your load(s), and whether or not you’ll be traveling solo or with a friend. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the best touring bicycles now on the market; rather, the goal was to provide a sampling of the many different types of bikes available from a few different brands. Consider the following guidelines when shopping for a motorcycle suitable for long-distance travel: excellent fuel range, weather protection, and the availability of onboard storage for gear. With those three items, your trip will be lot more pleasurable.
These motorcycles are ideal for long highway rides, can carry a passenger and a lot of luggage, and are quite comfortable to ride. All of them have massive engines with plenty of torque to get the whole shebang moving even when it’s stuffed to the gills.
Journey on a Honda Gold Wing
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We’ve lost count of how many times the Honda Gold Wing has been named to the MSW Ten Best list. The Gold Wing can go you far, thanks to its 1,833cc flat-six engine and its ability to chew up highway miles quickly. In addition to providing excellent safety for the rider and passenger, the Wing also has comfortable seats and sufficient storage for a practical road trip.
Price: $25,600
5.50 gallons of gas.
Claimed efficiency: 42 miles per gallon
Projected 280-mile range.
Yes, 121 liters of space is available for standard baggage.
You may use your iPhone or Android with the navigation system.
BMW K 1600 GTL
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The biggest touring motorcycle from BMW has been around for a while and has shown to be a worthy rival to Honda’s Gold Wing. A stated 133 pound-feet of peak torque from the GTL’s inline-six engine ensures that you and your companion will always be propelled forward at a rate of pace that will keep you both entertained.
Price: $26,895
In terms of fuel, the vehicle has a 7.0 gallon capacity.
Stated fuel economy: 40 mpg
Range: about 280 miles
Baggage Capacity: 113 Liters
Yes, Garmin is my navigator.
Ultra Limited Model Harley-Davidson
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For decades, Harley’s Ultra Limited has set the standard for V-twin touring motorcycles. The Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine produces 122 lb.-ft. of torque, which means passing other vehicles while fully loaded for Sturgis is no problem. Extra large suitcases may fit 133 liters’ worth of dark clothing like T-shirts and pants. Really, what else could you possibly require?
Price: $29,169
The fuel tank holds 6.0 gallons.
EPA-estimated fuel economy of 43 mpg
Range prediction: 258 miles
133 liters is the industry standard for carry-on bags.
Direction Finding: Boom! A GTS-Box
Indian’s Challenger
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Baggers like Indian’s Challenger give you a V-twin touring chassis without all of the oversize bulk of a full-dress touring machine. Pack light and hit the road in style and comfort. With 68 liters of storage in the locking side cases and ample protection provided by the front fairing, you can hit the road for the weekend or travel far and do laundry along the way!
Price: $24,499
The fuel tank holds 6.0 gallons.
Claimed fuel mileage: N/A
Estimated range: N/A
Standard luggage: Yes, 68 liters
Navigation: Yes, Ride Command
Seeking All Roads
Adventure bikes are really the modern-day universal motorcycles. They can eat up highway miles with the best, while allowing you to keep going when the pavement ends. Added bonuses are creature comforts and great ergos.
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT Adventure
Let’s be crystal clear, you don’t have to spend 20 grand to buy an adventure bike. Proof comes in the form of Suzuki’s 650XT Adventure, which comes loaded with aluminum side cases, crashbars, a skid plate, and pretty much all the features you need to get you out exploring for under $11,000. What, 650cc not enough for you? There is also a brand-new V-Strom 800DE Adventure on the way in 2023.
Price: $10,799
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.
Cycle World recorded average mpg: 40 mpg
Estimated range: 212 mi.
Standard luggage: Yes, 74 liters
Navigation: No
BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
It’s impossible to talk about adventure-touring motorcycles and not bring up BMW’s GS. It is the bike that created the entire segment of ADV machines, before that segment even had a name. The GSA in particular is about as trustworthy of a travel companion as there is. But if you want to prep it to meet your needs, you’ll have to add some packages and accessories to do so.
Price: $20,345
Fuel capacity: 7.9 gal.
Cycle World recorded average mpg: 32 mpg
Estimated range: 252 mi.
Standard luggage: Optional
Navigation: Optional Garmin
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
We can’t hide the fact that we love the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. In fact, if you’re looking for a more-road-oriented ADV bike that is still very capable off highway with a different set of tires, this bike is hard to beat. It recently won our Open-Class Adventure Comparison largely based on its versatility and brute power.
Price: $20,299
Fuel capacity: 6.1 gal.
Cycle World recorded average mpg: 43.2 mpg
Estimated range: 263 mi.
Standard luggage: Optional
Navigation: Yes, w/ KTMconnect app
Go Fast, Go Long
Sometimes you want to travel light and rip twisties all day long. That’s what sport-touring has always been about, but the face of the class has evolved with sporty ADV-looking machines featuring sporting rubber and upright seating positions. This category fills a void that we didn’t even know existed 15 years ago.
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
The times they are a-changing, and the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is a perfect example of how the sport-touring class has evolved over the years. Take the upright seating position and comfortable ergonomics of an ADV bike, combine it with sporty handling and a fun inline-triple engine and you get the Tracer 9 GT, a go anywhere machine that can eat miles as easily as it slays curves.
Price: $14,999
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Claimed fuel mileage: 49 mpg
Estimated range: 245 mi.
Standard luggage: Yes
Navigation: No
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
OK, the supercharged Kawasaki H2, in any form, is a monster. But you can’t argue against the fact that the SX SE is the most badass sport-touring machine currently available. With a claimed 200 hp and more than 100 lb.-ft. of torque, this thing can almost warp time. Throw on a set of the optional saddlebags and you should be ready for wherever the bike takes you through the time-portal wormhole.
Price: $27,500
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
Claimed fuel mileage: N/A
Estimated range: N/A
Standard luggage: Optional 28 liter saddlebags
Navigation: Yes, Kawasaki’s Spin infotainment system
Ducati Multistrada V4 S
Ever since the original Ducati Multistrada came out back in 2003, the bike has redefined what an upright, sporty, touring bike should be. It helped stretch the sportbike category with its potent engines, comfortable ergonomics, and travelworthy amenities. Fast-forward to 2023, and the Multi’s V-4 engine delivers 170 hp and 92 lb.-ft. of torque. Load up the optional luggage and pick the twistiest route you can find between point A and point B. Ciao!
Price: $26,895
Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal.
Claimed fuel mileage: N/A
Estimated range: N/A
Standard luggage: Optional
Navigation: Yes
