10 Motorcycles That Nail The Balance Between Touring Comfort And Sportbike Speed

Sport bikes are great. They’re better than a double shot espresso if you’re looking to wake yourself up. They look great, too. Try and ride one for more than a couple of hours, though, and odds are that you’re going to want to visit your chiropractor. Touring bikes are quite the opposite: for the most part, they’re like couches on wheels, but all that comfort comes at the cost of weight, which is never fun when you’re trying to move it around in a parking lot, or having to stop every so often to refuel.

Happily, there is a middle ground – sport touring motorcycles. These motorcycles deliver great pace if you want to ride quickly, and provide enough comfort for you to ride them all day, or even multiple days. Who says you need to compromise? Definitely not these ten motorcycles that nail the balance between touring comfort and sports bike speed.

Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+

Price: $12,599

Yamaha

The Tracer 9 GT is possibly the most affordable tourer that gives you the full performance bike experience. It is powered by the same engine that powers the YZF-R9 sport bike, and in the same state of tune. It keeps the rider’s upper body relatively upright, but the footpegs have a somewhat aggressive position, more suited to attacking corners rather than all-day rides. You also get a full electronics suite with a six-axis IMU, including features like slide control, which you wouldn’t expect to see on a touring motorcycle. A large 7-inch TFT display offers Bluetooth connectivity and navigation.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Price: $14,399

Suzuki

The GSX-S1000GT is made from the bits of old GSX-Rs, which explains why it has genuine sports bike pace if you rev the engine to anywhere in the midrange or near the redline. The chassis also offers great feedback thanks to its sports bike roots. But it’s oriented towards a comfortable ride, rather than giving you impeccable front-end feel. Features include a 6.5-inch TFT color display, standard hard luggage, cruise control, traction control, and ABS. Suzuki has manage to keep the cost down by not equipping it with a six axis IMU, which is great for cost.

BMW S 1000 XR

Price: $17,995

BMW

The S 1000 XR is like the Tracer 9, but with a larger four-cylinder engine and a lot more power. That is 20 more from the GSX-S1000GT in a crossover format, so there is more comfort as well as more speed here. Standard equipment is considerable, including switchable ABS, cornering headlamps, and keyless ignition. BMW has managed to keep the base price really low, pricing it below the equivalent Suzuki and Kawasaki as well, but it needs accessories from the options list to match up to their features.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

Price: $18,599

Suzuki

If you fancy the S 1000 XR but don’t fancy the way it needs to be specced up with things that are on the accessories, then maybe the GSX-S1000GX is for you. Sure, you might not get the brand value of a BMW or the 170 horsepower (it offers a not-insignificant 150 ponies), but you do get everything you would expect from a premium product at this price. The features list includes a six-axis IMU, electronically adjustable long-travel suspension, and smart cruise control that will not shut off even if you change gear.

MV Agusta Turismo Veloce

Price: $20,598

MV Agusta

The Turismo Veloce is a premium product from a premium brand, which is why it is a middleweight priced like a premium full-sized touring bike. The Turismo Veloce is exactly like its name suggests: it is an extremely fast way to tour. Its 798 cc triple offers 110 horsepower at a screaming 11,000 RPM, and lets you attack corners better at speed with its counterrotating crankshaft. It is also one of the few motorcycles on sale with an automated clutch, meaning you merely need to shift gears and not use the clutch lever if you don’t want to.

BMW R 1300 RT

Price: $22,495

BMW

The R 1300 RT is often ignored, but there is nothing really wrong with it. In fact, it might be one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles on sale today! There is the boxer twin engine borrowed from the R 1300 GS, which has variable valve timing on the intake valves and puts out 145 horsepower. You can also spec it with either a two-way quickshifter or an automated manual option, which will make it a fully automatic gearbox. This is wrapped up in a sport tourer chassis, guaranteeing you loads of fun along with the comfort.

KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo

Price: $TBA

KTM/Rudi Schedl

It seems like we’ve been waiting for an eternity for the 1390 Super Adventure S Evo, and that is because we have – it was teased well over a year ago. Still, all that means is that its launch cannot be much further on, isn’t it? When it does launch, it promises explosive performance with amazing convenience. It adds a little more displacement, going to 1,350 cc, but adds variable valve timing, and an AMT gearbox with a park mode. The VVT should make an already torquey 1290 even more fun, while the automated gearbox should help the left hand’s fingers immensely. Also included are semi-active WP long-travel suspension and a tablet-like vertical TFT color display.

BMW M 1000 XR

Price: $25,475

BMW 

The M 1000 XR is one of only three M models in the BMW Motorrad lineup, which should give you some idea as to how impressive it is. It is truly worthy of the ‘M’ designation: the engine has over 200 horsepower and utilizes BMW’s ShiftCam variable valve timing, which means it shouldn’t be short of torque, either. The top speed is not limited, either, and you get all the M-derived electronics you’d expect on a sport bike, but in touring bike format.

Ducati Multistrada V4 S

Price: $28,995

Ducati

The Multistrada V4 RS might be the purer choice if you’re looking for the sportiest Multistrada, but what it gains in sportiness, it gives up in touring ability. That means the Multistrada V4 S is the variant we’d have if we wanted a balanced combination of comfort and performance. Unlike the V4 RS, the Granturismo V4 engine that powers the Multi V4 S has conventional valve springs, meaning you need to change the oil once a year and check the valve clearances once every two years. The electronic suspension offers conveniences like remote rear preload adjustment, you get Brembo brakes with a radial master cylinder, and a 5-inch TFT color display.

Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE

Price: $29,999

Kawasaki

The Ninja H2 SX is the pinnacle of Kawasaki’s sport touring, and, if you go by engine specs alone, it is probably the pinnacle of sport touring motorcycles everywhere. The unique supercharger gives it an incredible 101 pound-foot peak torque figure without sacrificing on horsepower, which stands at 207 horsepower. You also get semi-active suspension, radar-based blind spot detection and forward collision warning, self-healing paint, and the most fun feature of all for a pillion: launch control!