10 Most Powerful Touring Bikes That Don’t Pack A V-Twin

When we think of touring bikes, the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle with big V-twins come to mind. But the touring world extends beyond the American giants, and you will be surprised to see the variety of touring motorcycles out there without a V-twin. In fact, the most powerful touring bikes out there pack a supercharged inline-4 and a gigantic three-cylinder engine, respectively.

BMW offers a wild motorcycle that blurs the line between a superbike and a touring bike. Whereas, Kawasaki and Suzuki have cleverly repurposed decade-old sports bike engines into bold-looking sports tourers. Here are then the most powerful touring bikes in 2025 that don’t adhere to the norms of packing a V-twin.

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The Balanced Choice For Long-Distance Touring

This BMW is fast, comfortable, fun, has good storage space, and the safety you need to cover great distances with ease.

10

Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX

Power: 134 HP

Coming in as the replacement for the capable Ninja 1000SX, the Ninja 1100SX takes the fight to the likes of the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT. The new 1,099cc four-cylinder is a stroked-out version of the outgoing 1000SX’s 1,043cc mill. It retains the throttle bodies and even the compression ratio. This four-cylinder screamer is tuned to be a cozy mile-muncher with both peak power and torque kicking in at under 10,000 RPM.

It is loaded with assistive and safety technology to top things off. Notable ones include the cornering management function, three traction control modes with integrated wheelie control, two power modes (Low and Full), a bi-directional quickshifter, and four ride modes (Rain, Road, Sport, and User). The sizable 5-gallon fuel tank can offer over 200 miles of riding range.

Specs And Price

9

BMW R 1250 RS

Power: 136 HP

BMW is the sole motorcycle maker that banks high on the boxer-twin charm, and it’s mostly confined to its famed GS adventure lineup. However, the R 1250 RS is an exception as it is the sole “sports bike” in BMW Motorrad’s lineup with a boxer-twin. While BMW calls it a sports bike, we would like to put it in the sports touring category courtesy of its stretched wheelbase, low seat height, and relaxed rider triangle. There’s ample wind protection, and BMW also offers a slew of standard and optional features catered towards making it a cozy mile muncher.

Powering this sporty boxer is the same 1,254cc mill found in the lavish R 1250 RT. This boxer-twin is quite efficient, so much so that the R 1250 RS is the most fuel-efficient touring bike on this list, with nearly 50 MPG. However, a small fuel tank under 5 gallons restricts its riding range. Otherwise, this Beamer is a breezy 250-mile touring machine.

Specs And Price

8

BMW R 1250 RT

Power: 136 HP

This is the most affordable, fully loaded touring motorcycle from BMW. The R 1250 RT utilizes the same powertrain as the aforementioned R 1250 RS but dials up on the comfort and convenience quotient with standard lockable hard case saddles, a huge front fairing with more powerful headlamp assembly, a comfier saddle for two-up seating, and a tall windscreen. This Beamer takes the fight to the likes of luxury tourers from Harley and Indian. But unlike the V-twin powerplants that are default on American luxury tourers, this Beamer takes an unorthodox route with a boxer-twin in a sportier guise. Thanks to a gigantic 6.6-gallon fuel tank, the R 1250 RT offers an impressive riding range of well over 300 miles.

Specs And Price

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7

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Power: 150 HP

For under $15,000, you are treated to a cozy touring bike with a sports bike-derived four-cylinder engine. Taming this athletic engine and carving a tourer out of it requires a well-rounded electronics suite. This Suzuki gets a standard bi-directional quickshifter, hard case lockable saddlebags, three ride modes, five traction control settings, and cruise control, to name a few.

The chassis has been derived from the GSX-R1000 and has fully adjustable suspension. Topping this package is a sharp-looking design that sets it apart from the competition. There are very few bikes that balance performance, features, and cost like this GSX touring bike. No wonder this Suzuki is the most balanced touring bike on the market today.

Specs And Price

6

BMW K 1600 Lineup

Power: 160 HP

After Harley-Davidson and Indian, BMW offers the most variety of touring bikes. Apart from the R 1250 RT, the rest of the bunch comprises the K 1600s. This lineup includes two baggers and two fully loaded touring bikes, complete with standard saddlebags and a top box. While there are certain variations in design and features, one aspect remains common—the powertrain.

All K 1600 Beamers are powered by a 1,649cc six-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower and 132.7 pound-feet of torque. The sportiest model of the bunch, the K 1600 GT, is the lightest at 756.2 pounds. The most expensive and heaviest of the lot, meanwhile, is the K 1600 Grand America, which goes all out on technology, comfort, and storage space. It is designed to lock horns with American giants. The K 1600 B also happens to be the most powerful series-production bagger on the market today.

Specs And Price (K 1600 B / K 1600 GT / K 1600 GTL / K 1600 Grand America)

5

Ducati Multistrada V4 S Travel And Radar

Power: 170 HP

The Ducati Multistrada V4 S is one hot adventure-touring motorcycle. It is powered by the Granturimso V4, which is also used in the Diavel V4s, albeit in a different state of tune. The V4 S differs from the standard V4 with an exclusive semi-automatic suspension setup.

All other aspects are mostly unchanged. Now, the Travel and Radar V4 S trim highlighted here is a factory model that puts together some of Ducati’s optimal features and provides a version high on technology and touring comfort. It gets standard saddlebags and front and rear radar and costs a hair over $28,000.

Specs And Price

4

BMW S 1000 XR

Power: 170 HP

This is what happens when you want a sports bike and a touring bike in one. The BMW S 1000 XR is a unicorn. It is powered by the S 1000 RR sports bike-derived four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 84 pound-feet of torque. While it has been detuned, the performance figure is still feisty for a tall-riding and comfort-inducing touring bike. For under $18,000, this Beamer is actually a bargain for the plethora of sophisticated ride, assist, and safety features on offer.

Specs And Price

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3

Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT

Power: 179.5 HP

The largest displacement production motorcycle sure sounds intimidating. But the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT transforms this beastly torque monster into a cozy mile-munching cruise bike engine. For those unaware, the Rocket 3 Storm GT is the more relaxed model of the duo. The Storm R has rear-set footpegs and a more aggressive rider triangle. But the GT gets a raised handlebar and forward-biased footpegs for a cruiser-like riding stance. Add some of Triumph’s official luggage, comfort, and protection accessories, and we have the world’s torquiest series-production bike dressed as a cozy tourer!

Specs And Price

2

BMW M 1000 XR

Power: 201 HP

This is arguably the most hardcore sport-touring motorcycle you can buy today. The standard S 1000 XR is already a sharp blade, thinning the line between a sports bike and a touring bike. But the M treatment dials things up to create a wild motorcycle that defies norms. Powered by a BMW S 1000 RR-derived four-cylinder engine, the M 1000 XR produces a whopping 201 horses and 83 pound-feet of torque. Even more impressive is the aggressive weight savings achieved with the use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials throughout, which results in a curb weight of under 500 pounds.

Specs And Price

1

Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE

Power: 207 HP

This is the only touring motorcycle in the world with a supercharged engine. Derived from the wild Ninja H2, the H2 SX SE has toned down a lot of the aggression in the riding triangle and comfort. In fact, the H2 SX SE is a capable two-up touring machine. Kawasaki also offers the more loaded SE trim level for America, which gets electronically adjustable Showa suspension and Brembo Stylema brakes over the standard model. The H2 SX SE can be equipped with optional lockable hard saddlebags with a storage capacity of 28 liters, among many other touring-specific accessories. Despite packing a ferocious 200+ horsepower engine, the Ninja H2 SX still offers 217 miles of range.

Specs And Price