Touring motorcycles are an uncommon breed. They must be robust and dependable, capable of reaching highway speeds while carrying large luggage, but they must also be comfortable and well-equipped with plenty of amenities to keep riders relaxed for miles on end. There are more touring motorcycles available today than ever before, each oriented toward a particular rider with distinct travelling goals.
| Best Touring Motorcycles | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Kawasaki’s KLR 650 Adventure | $7,699 |
| Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure | $13,190 |
| Yamaha Niken GT | $15,999 |
| Suzuki Hayabusa | $18,599 |
| BMW R 1250 RT | $19,695 |
| KTM 1290 Super Duke GT | $20,070 |
| Ducati Diavel 1260 | $21,195 |
| BMW R18 Transcontinental | $24,995 |
| Honda Gold Wing | $25,300 |
| Energica Experia | $25,880 |
| Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE | $22,000 |
| MV Agusta’s Turismo Veloce RC SCS | $27,675 |
| Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST | $29,999 |
| Indian Pursuit Limited | $31,499 |
| Triumph Rocket 3 | $24,100 |
We’re looking at the ten finest touring motorcycles for 2022 for this list, and by “touring,” we mean it in the classic sense. While you can tour on any motorcycle, adventure touring and sports touring motorcycles are not included. That isn’t technically correct because one slipped through the net, but it will make sense when you get to it.
Best Touring Motorcycles in USA
- 1. Kawasaki’s KLR 650 Adventure
- 2. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure
- 3. Yamaha Niken GT
- 4. Suzuki Hayabusa
- 5. BMW R 1250 RT
- 6. KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
- 7. Ducati Diavel 1260
- 8. BMW R18 Transcontinental
- 9. Honda Gold Wing
- 10. Energica Experia
- 11. Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
- 12. MV Agusta’s Turismo Veloce RC SCS
- 13. Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST
- 14. Indian Pursuit Limited
1. Kawasaki’s KLR 650 Adventure
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 652cc Single-Cylinder
Power: 34.6HP & 39.1FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 482.7LBs
Wheelbase: 60.6”
Tank Size: 6.1 Gallons
Kawasaki’s KLR 650 is an exceptionally inexpensive, on-road, off-road, touring-ready dual-sport bike powered by a ridiculously reliable liquid-cooled 652cc single that is almost likely the best bargain in the touring motorcycle space. The Adventure-spec KLR 650 is finished in a model-exclusive “Cypher Camo Gray” paint scheme and comes equipped with antilock brakes, a skid plate, a tank pad, frame sliders, crash bars, auxiliary lights, and a set of hard side cases.
2. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure
Engine: Air-Cooled 853cc V-Twin
Power: 76HP & 62FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 507LBs
Wheelbase: 60.24”
Tank Size: 6 Gallons
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Adventure is a modern adventure-touring motorbike that draws visual inspiration from vintage off-road bikes. It was first unveiled in 2017 and went into production two years later. This shaft-driven tourer is powered by a 76-hp transverse-mounted overhead-valve V-Twin and comes standard with fork guards, an enlarged windscreen, a skid plate, crash bars, a set of side cases, and a top box.
3. Yamaha Niken GT
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 847cc Parallel-Twin
Power: 115HP & 64.5FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 580LBs
Wheelbase: 59.4”
Tank Size: 4.8 Gallons
The Tuning Fork Company’s Niken is powered by the same proven CP3 engine as Yamaha’s MT-09 and features a front end with two inverted forks, which provides significantly greater stability and planted cornering thanks to an extra tire’s worth of contact patch and feedback from a second fork. The GT version of the Niken is designed for touring and has an expanded adjustable windscreen, heated grips, a comfort saddle, an extra 12-volt socket, a centre stand, cruise control, a rear grab handle, and a set of 25-liter semi-rigid panniers.
4. Suzuki Hayabusa
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,340cc Inline-Four
Power: 187HP & 110FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 582LBs
Wheelbase: 58.3”
Tank Size: 5.3 Gallons
Though the Suzuki Hayabusa was already a motorbike icon, Hamamatsu chose to substantially redesign the ‘Busa for the third-generation model in early 2021, eventually giving way to a faster-accelerating, noticeably more advanced sport tourer. The newest Hayabusa sports a retuned 1,340cc four-banger producing 187hp, a slipper clutch, a TFT display, a bi-directional quick shifter, launch control, low-RPM assist, and wheelie control, as well as a six-axis IMU-regulated Drive Mode Selector.
5. BMW R 1250 RT
Engine: Air & Oil-Cooled 1,254cc Boxer Twin
Power: 136HP & 105FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 615LBs
Wheelbase: 58.5”
Tank Size: 6.6 Gallons
With a weight of over 600 pounds and a wheelbase of 58.5 inches, the BMW R 1250 RT is a full-size sport tourer that offers exceptional stability and speed, with the 1.25-liter Boxer twin reaching speeds of approximately 125 miles per hour. The R 1250 RT also includes LED lighting all around, onboard wireless charging, BMW’s ShiftCam variable intake camshaft control, Dynamic Traction Control and adaptive cruise control, a trio of ride modes (ECO, Rain, and Road), Hill Start Control, and a 10.25′′ TFT display with smartphone connectivity and integrated map navigation.
6. KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,301cc V-Twin
Power: 172.5HP & 104FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 515.8LBs
Wheelbase: 58.34”
Tank Size: 6 Gallons
KTM’s 1290 Super Duke GT is a high-performance touring vehicle with razor-sharp handling and lightning-fast acceleration (0-60mph in 2.75 seconds). It is an even more capable European-built full-size sport tourer. The Super Duke is powered by KTM’s LC8 V-Twin engine, which produces 175hp and 104ft-lbs of torque. These massive horsepower and torque outputs are kept in check by a cutting-edge suite of rider aids and a top-tier running gear arrangement outfitted with some of the best hardware money can buy. Look no farther if you’re seeking for a touring bike with aggressive performance.
7. Ducati Diavel 1260
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,262cc L-Twin
Power: 157HP & 95FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 544LBs
Wheelbase: 63”
Tank Size: 4.5 Gallons
The Ducati Diavel 1260 is an Italian-made cruiser bike that has superior componentry and an innovative suite of technology. It combines Ducati’s unique brand of class-leading performance capabilities with a long and low-slung chassis. The Diavel 1260, powered by Ducati’s Testastretta DVT 1262 engine, can eat up limitless freeway miles in original form, but with only a few easy aftermarket upgrades, this Ducati can be converted into an amazingly capable tourer.
8. BMW R18 Transcontinental
Engine: Air & Oil-Cooled 1,802cc Boxer Twin
Power: 91HP & 116FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 942LBs
Wheelbase: 66.7”
Tank Size: 6.3 Gallons
BMW’s R18 is a monster Bavarian cruiser bike powered by the largest Boxer engine ever manufactured by BMW — a 91-hp air- and oil-cooled 1.8-liter twin — and takes plenty of inspiration from BMW’s classic models, notably the 1930s-era R5. The Transcontinental-spec R18 costs only $3,500 more than the base model R18 and includes a massive front fairing, an oversized adjustable windscreen, a rear top box with an integrated passenger backrest, locking hard luggage, additional storage compartments, active cruise control, wind deflectors, a TFT display, and a built-in Marshall Gold Series 2 audio system.
9. Honda Gold Wing
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,833c Horizontally-Opposed Six-Cylinder
Power: 90HP & 102.5FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 843LBs
Wheelbase: 66.9”
Tank Size: 5.55 Gallons
The Honda Gold Wing, first released in 1974 and currently in its sixth iteration (the GL1800), is without a doubt one of the most renowned touring motorcycles of all time. The new Gold Wing is designed from the ground up for long-distance riding, powered by a massive 1.8-liter six-cylinder engine and a package of electronic rider aids. Aside from the base model Gold Wing, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer also manufactures automatic DCT versions of the iconic tourer, as well as a variant with an integrated automotive-style airbag system and a Touring-spec with a top box and pillion seat and backrest.
10. Energica Experia
Engine: 75-KW Permanent Magnet-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor
Power: 102HP & 664FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 573LBs
Wheelbase: 59.5”
Battery: 22.5-kWh Lithium-Polymer
The Energica Experia is the first electric motorbike developed particularly for touring duty, with a 75kW (102hp) motor producing an insane 664ft-lbs of torque, allowing for a 3.5-second 0-60mph time and an electronically-limited top speed of 112mph. With a range of up to 261 miles, the ADV bike’s lithium polymer battery can be recharged from 0 to 80 percent in as little as 40 minutes. Other features include long-travel ZF Sachs suspension, heated grips, Brembo brakes, a 5″ TFT display, a lockable storage box, two USB connections, and an optional suite of hard luggage with a total storage capacity of 112 litres.
11. Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Engine: Liquid-Cooled Supercharged 998cc Inline-Four
Power: 228HP & 101FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 590.9LBs
Wheelbase: 58.3”
Tank Size: 5 Gallons
The H2 SX SE is an exceptionally powerful sport tourer with more electronics than your ordinary new vehicle, powered by the same supercharged 998cc inline-four found in Team Green’s Ninja H2 superbike. Adaptive cruise control, blindspot detection, forward collision warning, a new 6.5″ TFT display with connectivity to a dedicated Kawasaki smartphone app, an intelligent proximity activation start system, Kawasaki Intelligent ABS, electronically-controlled suspension, active cornering LED lights, a quick-shifter, multiple power modes, electronic throttle valves, and Kawasaki traction, engine braking, and launch control systems are all part of the package. This H2 SX model also includes standard removable hard baggage.
12. MV Agusta’s Turismo Veloce RC SCS
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 798cc Inline-Three
Power: 110HP & 59FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 472.8LBs
Wheelbase: 56.89”
Tank Size: 5.68 Gallons
MV Agusta’s Turismo Veloce RC SCS is a top-tier adventure-touring model with the handling of a supersport. It boasts very sharp and planted performance and is loaded with cutting-edge equipment, as one would expect from an MV “Reparto Corse” (or “RC”) model. This race-derived motorbike has a top speed of more than 140mph and is equipped with MV Agusta’s Smart Clutch System (or “SCS”), which allows the user to change gears without having to handle the clutch, removing one of the most challenging aspects of learning to ride a motorcycle. This variant also includes detachable luggage as standard.
13. Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST
Engine: Air & Oil-Cooled 1,917cc V-Twin
Power: 121HP & 127FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 842LBs
Wheelbase: 64”
Tank Size: 6 Gallons
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST is a Grand American Touring variant with a distinctive “Sharknose” fairing designed for mowing through miles in comfort. The Road Glide ST comes standard with a Boom! Box GTS multimedia system paired with a TFT display, as well as a Daymaker LED headlamp, a smart security system, 49mm forks with dual bending valve suspension technology, Emulsion-technology rear shock, and ABS. TPM sensors, vehicle hold control, drag torque slip control, enhanced cornering ABS and traction control, and electronically-linked cornering brakes are also available as upgrades for this model.
14. Indian Pursuit Limited
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 1,768cc V-Twin
Power: 122HP & 128FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 912LBs
Wheelbase: 65.7”
Tank Size: 6 Gallons
Taking direct aim at Harley-Road Davidson’s Glide, Indian’s Pursuit is an American-made bagger with a more modern engine and tech suite than its Milwaukee-made cousin. Even the entry-level Pursuit known as the Pursuit Limited has a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 1,768cc PowerPlus V-Twin engine, as well as a chassis-mounted front fairing, an adjustable FOX rear shock, a premium 200-watt onboard audio system, a 7″ touchscreen RIDE COMMAND display with Apple Carplay integration, all-LED lighting, and more than 132 collective litres of remote-lockable, weatherproof storage This Indian motorbike also has a little more power than the Harley Davidson mentioned above.
Engine: Liquid-Cooled 2,458cc Inline-Three
Power: 165HP & 163FT-LBs
Curb Weight: 710LBs
Wheelbase: 66”
Tank Size: 4.8 Gallons
Triumph’s Rocket 3 has the greatest displacement engine of any production motorcycle in history, a 2.5-liter inline-three. The Rocket 3 has 165hp and 163ft-lbs of torque and can reach 60mph from a complete stop in 2.73 seconds, putting it on par with a bevvy of today’s latest and finest supercars. This two-wheeled muscle roadster’s GT version also includes a height-adjustable brushed aluminium pillion backrest, a plush touring saddle and pillion, an extended flyscreen, heated grips, adjustable ergonomics, hidden folding passenger footpegs, and a five-gallon tank with longer range.
