10 Best Sport-Touring Motorcycles For Relaxed Weekend Rides

Traditional full-dress touring bikes offer more comfort features than ever before, but all these “innovations” come at a cost. Pricing for these tourers is getting a little excessive, and many of the “must-have” features only actually appeal to a limited pool of riders. If you are willing to consider something a little more sporty, there is significantly more value on offer.

Naturally, a sport-touring bike won’t ever be able to offer the same level of luxury you get with modern full-dress tourers. But, you will still get all the usual modern features we have all come to know and love. Add to that the ability to carve up a canyon road once the mood arises.

BMW S 1000 XR

MSRP: $17,995

BMW Motorrad

The S 1000 XR quite literally puts the sport in sport tourer. With an inline-4 sourced from the famous S 1000 RR superbike – albeit in the same tune as the naked bike – this is a hugely powerful motorcycle. Its true sporting potential is only limited by comfort-oriented ergonomics and added wind protection, which make touring at high-speed less strenuous. All the bells and whistles are there, but BMW likes to leave a few nice-to-have features on the options list.

Specifications

BMW R 1300 RS

MSRP: $16,995

BMW

For those that feel the aforementioned S 1000 XR is a little too sporty, the R 1300 GS offers more comfort and a torque-rich boxer-twin engine. Its low center of gravity coupled with shaft-drive help make the most of that torque. Unfortunately, luggage remains on the options list, but the features list is still pretty long, and there isn’t much else missing here.

Specifications

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

MSRP: $15,490

Moto Guzzi

The Mandello is arguably one of the best-looking motorcycles currently on the market. Like most Italian brands, Moto Guzzi is not without its quirks. Thankfully, this has nothing to do with reliability – which is reportedly good – but more to do with the engine configuration. The transverse V-twin is something of a Guzzi trademark, and will seem odd to some riders, while others will love the character it adds to the bikes.

Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

Suzuki

Suzuki are past-masters at breathing new life into old platforms. As a superbike, the K5 gixxer was a fire-breathing monster. Its inline-4 has found a new lease on life, doing duty in several mid-range bikes, including this sport tourer. With a tune optimized for mid-range performance and a host of modern electronic rider aids, this is one of the most balanced touring options.

Specifications

Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX

MSRP: $13,699

Kawasaki

It might seem a little odd to find a Ninja in the touring class, but the 1100 SX isn’t much like its sports bike cousins. With far more relaxed ergos, wind protection and a host of comfort features, this offers exceptional bang for the buck. The bump in displacement along with a new tune improved emissions, and that new tune also improved mid-range performance.

Specifications

Yamaha Tracer 9

MSRP: $12,599

Yamaha

The Tracer 9 is one of the few bikes in this segment which comes with luggage as standard fitment. While this might not appeal to everyone, it also comes with a long list of features including cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control and ride modes. In terms of features, this CP3-based tourer is hard to beat. The CP3 engine is a gem, but its raucous, fun-loving nature won’t appeal to everyone.

Specifications

Triumph Tiger Sport 800

MSRP: $12,495

Triumph

With a list of features and a power figure right in line with the Tracer 9, Triumph certainly isn’t hiding which bike was used as a benchmark. Unlike the other bikes on this list with revised or recycled engines, this really is an all-new engine. Its frame is based on the 660, but has been extensively modified to accommodate the new engine. This is, by all accounts, a brand-new bike.

Specifications

BMW F 900 XR

MSRP: $11,995

BMW

BMW often gets called out for how middling the 900 platform is, as the bikes are a little heavier and a little less powerful than most of the new middleweights. That can largely be forgiven with the F 900 XR thanks to how affordable it is, at least in base trim. It is still a premium product, and is well-finished and well-appointed. Much like the other middleweight tourers, luggage is optional.

Specifications

Honda NT1100

MSRP: $11,899

Honda – European model shown

Although the NT1100 is a sport touring bike, it shares a platform with the Africa Twin adventure bike. So, to say the least, this is a proven platform. Top-end performance won’t match the more sporty inline-4’s, but it has more than enough torque to keep up. It also comes with a host of features, and is hard to ignore at this price. DCT is a great selling point, but it is unfortunate that there is no manual option.

Specifications

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

MSRP: $9,695

Triumph

While down on power compared to the bigger 800, the 660 can do pretty much everything the 800 can do, just cheaper. The reworked triple once found in one of the most popular supersport motorcycles is a treat. With good high-end punch, and more than enough top-end power for a street bike. Since it has been in production, it has also proven reliable, and Triumph have addressed a few weaknesses, recently adding a quickshifter and cruise control.

Specifications