10 Cheapest New Touring Bikes With Impressive Torque

As a rule, the more torque and comfort features you want, the more you need to spend. You simply can’t have it all. But, if you are willing to forfeit the idea of getting a “full-dresser”, there are some great value-oriented touring bike alternatives that make a decent amount of torque.

All the bikes listed here still pack a pretty decent 70-pound-foot punch and cost less than $20k. A few of these bikes actually offer more value for money than just about any other motorcycle on the market right now, with feature lists that will embarrass more expensive bikes. Luggage is not necessarily always included, though, so you will need to factor that into the prices of those models.

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10 Most Practical Touring Motorcycles For 2025 

These tourers are top of the hill when it comes to practicality, whether it is gas mileage, tank range, or luggage capacity

10

Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS

MSRP: $19,499

The Vaquero is the only authentic V-twin bagger currently selling for less than $20k. It offers a long list of comfort features, but there is no denying the fact that it is an aging platform. The upside of it being an old platform is that we know for sure that it will go the distance. If what you are after is a simple torque-rich V-twin, it is hard to go wrong here.

Specifications

9

BMW S 1000 XR

MSRP: $17,995

This is the first of the sports tourers that still need luggage to be added. What you do get is a sports bike inline-4 engine, which makes 170 horsepower, and its 84 pound-feet of torque is more incidental than intentional. It also packs sophisticated electronics, comfortable ergonomics, good wind protection, and BMW build quality. Just don’t check that options box for the BMW luggage. Seriously, an aftermarket option is going to be better and cheaper.

Specifications

8

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100

MSRP: $16,199

Yes, you can actually get a V4 Aprilia for less than a Ducati Multistrada V2 S. Even at this price you still get class-leading electronics, wind protection, and Italian style. The Factory version of the Touno is pretty close to a sports bike. The base model Tuono actually offers some serious sports touring potential. Once more, luggage is going to be sold separately, but at this price point, that is hardly a concern.

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7

BMW R 1250 RS

MSRP: $15,995

Compared to the R 1250 GS, this flies under the radar somewhat. One of the main reasons for BMW’s success – at least in the motorcycle industry – is down to that venerable boxer-twin engine. It might seem a little sparsely equipped compared to the GTL models, but with over 100 pound-feet of torque on tap, you certainly won’t be left in want of more power.

Specifications

6

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

MSRP: $15,490

Moto Guzzi is very much in the business of making niche products, but as far as “niche” products go, few are as beautiful as the V100 Mandello. The trademark transverse V-twin is well-packaged, and doesn’t interfere with your knees like you think it might, and shaft drive is ideal for a touring bike. The active aero adds an Italian quirk that will almost certainly stop working once the bike is out of warranty.

Specifications

5

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

To be fair, there really isn’t much to choose between this and the equally good Kawasaki listed below. This is just a little cheaper in the sense that it already comes “fully loaded” with all the tech features you would ever need, as well as luggage as standard fitment. In our opinion, this is currently the most balanced touring bike on the market.

Specifications

4

KTM 890 SMT

MSRP: $13,949

So, this might be a slightly contentious inclusion, but the 890 SMT is a really hard bike to hate. KTM is still in some serious hot water, and this engine is part of the problem. That said, its engine is also why we love it. It is in more or less the same state of tune you will find in the Adventure R, optimized for great mid-range torque delivery. That translates to endless fun… well, unless KTM really does go belly up and nobody wants to honor your warranty. Buyer beware here.

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3

Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX

MSRP: $13,699

It might wear the Ninja nameplate, but this is very much a sport-touring bike. Its old Z1000 engine just got updated, and the displacement was increased to 1100cc. While better optimized for torque delivery, it still offers more than enough power up top. It also offers all the modern tech that keeps it on par with significantly more expensive bikes. Kawasaki has a neat integrated luggage system, so it might be worth getting, or just adding a little over $1k for the SE model.

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2

Triumph Tiger Sport 800

MSRP: $12,495

Although this only just about sneaks in with 70 pound-feet of torque, this all-new sport tourer from Triumph looks like incredible value. It has a lot of potential, with a long feature list and a sumptuous triple. Build quality and reliability only seem to be improving, even though much of the production is now being outsourced.

Specifications

1

Honda NT1100

MSRP: $11,899

The most interesting thing about the NT1100 has to be the price. This is not a new bike. It has been selling well throughout Europe for some time now, but the US version is actually a fair bit cheaper. All the main features are there, but we suspect that by only offering one variant, Honda is able to save enough money to make it even more competitively priced.

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