10 Most Overlooked Touring Motorcycles That Will Last A Lifetime

Modern adventure bikes are arguably more proficient at touring than ever before, but they still need to do a job off-road. Naturally, that means some sacrifices need to be made. By nature, all motorcycles are compromised in some way, but if you are going to spend more time on the highway, a touring bike is the best tool for the job, not an ADV. Comfort can actually mean different things to different people, but if you are riding hundreds of miles a day, it comes down to your contact points with the bike and wind protection.

Being in the wind all day, having to deal with an awkward riding position, bars that buzz, or foot pegs that are too small all add to rider fatigue levels over time and most certainly will detract from the overall experience. The bikes on this list have all those bases covered, but are consistently overlooked, largely thanks to the popularity of similarly-priced adventure touring bikes. They also just happen to be some of the most reliable bikes on the market.

Related

Table of Contents

Toggle

5 Touring Bikes You Should Buy New (And 5 That Are Better Bought Used)

Modern touring bikes have it all, for a price, so if you are looking for a bargain you need to look to the used market

10

Can-Am Spyder RT

MSRP: $26,799

Much can be debated about the validity of a three-wheeled vehicle being classified as a motorcycle, but for all intents and purposes, the Spyder RT is a motorcycle. Its Rotax engine is also relatively understressed, which means reliability won’t be an issue. It is overlooked primarily because it has three wheels, but also because it is pretty expensive. You do get what you pay for, though, with all the luxury amenities other bikes at this price point offer.

Specifications

9

Zero DSR

MSRP: $19,995

Electric motorcycles have finally reached a point where touring on them is technically possible. We say technically because, with a realistic range of only 100 miles, you will need to plan every journey very carefully, and have seriously open-minded riding companions. Range-anxiety notwithstanding, this is by far the best electric tourer currently on the market. One minor caveat is the fact that the bike will last a lifetime, but the battery won’t.

Specifications

8

Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero ABS

MSRP: $19,499

The fact that the Vaquero is actually cheaper certainly puts the price of the Zero into perspective. With all the comfort features on offer here, plus the long-distance capability, the bagger just looks like better value. It might be an aging platform now, but it remains a great value-for-money alternative. The latest baggers certainly offer more features, but none of them are as reliable as the venerable Vaquero.

Specifications

Related

10 Touring Motorcycles That You Can Buy For Under $25,000

A touring bike doesn’t have to break the bank. One of the entries here starts at less than $6,800

7

BMW R 1250 RS

MSRP: $15,995

If you like the proven boxer-twin engine, you don’t need to go out and buy a GS. If you are going to stick to paved roads, this offers tremendous value. As far as we can tell, it won’t be around for much longer, though. No 2025 model has been listed, so if you want one, it will be a 2024 model. The upside to this is the fact that dealers will most likely offer discounts in an effort to offload inventory (just don’t expect to actually find a base model anywhere).

Specifications

6

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

MSRP: $15,490

You might think that we have gone mad for including this, but this is not your average highly-strung Italian V-twin. The engine is tuned for torque delivery as opposed to overall horsepower, and as a result you get a nice flat torque curve. Wind protection is far from perfect, but you do get active aero that supposedly deflects air away from you at higher speeds. We are fairly confident that the active aero won’t ‘last a lifetime.’

Specifications

5

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

Suzuki is well renowned for extracting every last possible bit of value out of any platform. It is that endeavor that has actually passed the savings onto the customer, because with the GSX-S1000GT+, you get a sports bike reborn as a sport tourer par excellence. Few bikes are able to balance performance, features, and cost like this.

Specifications

4

Yamaha Tracer 9

MSRP: $12,599

The Tracer 9 offers a huge amount of value with an advanced electronics suite, great wind protection and luggage as standard fitment. At this price point there are quite a few options though, including Triumph’s highly rated 800, but with it being new, it is hard to say how reliable it will be. The CP3, on the other hand, is a proven platform and will almost certainly outlive us all.

Specifications

Related

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

3

Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS

MSRP: $10,099

We could just as easily have added the Versys 1100 here but for its rather high price tag. The smaller 650 offers tremendous value with a long list of modern features, but remains one of those bikes people dismiss out of hand. It often gets tagged as a ‘boring’ motorcycle, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing when ‘boring’ means what you get is an extremely reliable, comfortable, and affordable bike.

Specifications

2

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

MSRP: $9,695

While we might not be able to vouch for the longevity of the new 800, we certainly can vouch for the 660. What once started life as a supersport engine has been reworked into something significantly more modular. It is a fantastic triple that blends all the best characteristics of a parallel-twin and an inline-4. While far from perfect, it is a motorcycle that will gladly take you anywhere in a heartbeat.

Specifications

1

Honda NC750X

MSRP: $9,499

Arguably the most practical motorcycle currently on the market. The NC750X has more than enough power to maintain highway speeds, and comes with a long list of comfort features that make it a seriously underrated touring bike. Honda’s DCT tends to split opinion in most segments, but the Gold Wing has proven what an asset it can be on a touring bike, and you have it here for ⅓ of the price.

Specifications