10 Touring Motorcycles That Nail The Balance Between Style And Everyday Usability
Touring motorcycles used to be big, heavy bikes that rivalled cars not just for comfort, but also for weight and width. That made them really cumbersome and quite unusable in any scenario other than a highway ride. However, motorcycle manufacturers have been coming around to the idea of the single bike garage since those days, so there are a bunch of motorcycles that perform the functions of different types of bikes equally well now.
There is also a subset of touring bikes that allow you to use them as daily drivers. They do this with a combination of weight that is managed well, a seat that is low, an engine that doesn’t cook your tenders in traffic, and decent enough fuel efficiency for a touring motorcycle in the city. Here are ten touring motorcycles that nail the balance between style and everyday usability.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Harley-Davidson USA, Honda Powersports, and Kawasaki USA.
Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
Price: $10,099
The Versys 650 LT is a truly versatile bike. It shares its driveline with the Ninja 650, Z650, and Vulcan S, and all of those bikes are among the most fun in their categories. It’s the same with the Versys 650; it gets a road-biased setup with 17-inch alloy rims but with fully adjustable long-travel suspension. Also lending a hand are an adjustable windscreen, three-level traction control, a 4.3-inch TFT color display, and quick-release saddlebags. The 67 horsepower engine and six-speed gearbox coupled with the ABS make sure you have enough performance and a basic level of safety on the brakes.
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Engine Type |
180 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
649 cc |
|
Max Power |
67 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
44 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Price: $11,499
The Rebel 1100T DCT was an easy pick for this list. It has a large 1.1 liter twin-cylinder engine, but despite it being a modern bike, Honda has ensured it focuses on torque, which is why the 87 horsepower output. That means better fuel efficiency every day, and a longer distance between fill ups on the open road. The automatic gearbox will make traffic a non-issue, while the 5-inch TFT color display with Bluetooth and navigation coupled with the fairing will make long trips easy.
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Engine Type |
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
1,083 cc |
|
Max Power |
87 HP @ 7,250 RPM |
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Max Torque |
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Honda NT1100 DCT
Price: $11,899
For similar money, you can also have a sportier product from Honda. Throw in $400 more than the Rebel 1100T DCT, and you can net yourself an NT1100 DCT. This offers the same driveline, but you get the full 100 horsepower capability. You also get a crossover-style motorcycle with 17-inch alloy wheels, ride modes, ABS, traction control, and long-travel suspension. That means any tarmac situation can be dealt with, without any trouble. Oh, and you get a TFT color touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
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Engine Type |
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
1,083 cc |
|
Max Power |
100 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
82 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
10 Best Touring Motorcycles For Relaxed Weekend Rides
Tour in total comfort with these 10 top-rated sport and full-dress touring motorcycles, built for big miles, smooth rides, and stress-free weekends.
Yamaha Tracer 9
Price: $12,599
The Tracer 9 GT+ uses the driveline from the MT-09, so no surprise that it is extremely comfortable in city traffic. The CP3 inline three-cylinder engine has 117 horsepower as well, so it has the performance for excitement on the highway as well. The same aggressive footpeg positioning that allows for attacking corners on a Sunday ride offers maneuverability in traffic. You also get a six axis IMU, with cornering ABS and traction control, and even slide control. Luggage is standard, as is a 7-inch TFT color screen.
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Engine Type |
CP3 crossplane inline cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
890 cc |
|
Max Power |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
68.5 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds, assist, and slipper clutch |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Price: $14,299
The GSX-S1000GT+ is made in the mold of the vintage sport tourer: it is a less aggressive sport bike with a strong subframe and hard luggage. The engine is detuned to ‘only’ 150 horsepower, but you need to rev it to get it going. You do get goodies like the 6.5-inch TFT color display, cruise control, traction control and ABS as well. With the luggage removed, its relatively compact dimensions (for a touring motorcycle) and nimble handling should make it a preferred touring bike option for the city.
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Engine Type |
Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
999 cc |
|
Max Power |
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
78 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch, two-way quickshifter |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS
Price: $20,598
The Turismo Veloce Lusso is quite similar to the Tracer 9: it is a crossover design, is powered by an inline three-cylinder engine, has a bunch of electronics fitted, and loves to be ridden hard. However, it has an even firing order for its engine, and the ‘SCS’ means that it is a semi-automatic gearbox – the clutch lever doesn’t need to be used at all. That should make it a great companion in traffic. The high price is because it is a premium product, and you do get premium components like a single-sided swingarm.
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Engine Type |
Inline three cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid cooled |
|
Displacement |
798 cc |
|
Max Power |
110 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
70 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6-speed, assist and slipper clutch, ‘Smart Clutch’ semi-automatic clutch |
|
Final Drive |
Chain drive |
10 Touring Bikes That Work Surprisingly Well In City Traffic
Here are 10 touring bikes that have ‘Tour on Sunday, commute on Monday’ vibes.
Indian Super Chief Limited
Price: $21,999
The Super Chief Limited is a traditional cruiser, with a large air-cooled V-twin with 2 valves per cylinder fitted in a double cradle frame. It gets its touring chops thanks to a removable windshield and soft luggage. The 1,901 cc V-twin’s torque is definitely enough for a spirited Sunday ride, and will serve well in the city with the 6-speed gearbox. It might look retro, but it has the 4-inch round TFT color display with Bluetooth, navigation and connected features via the Ride Command+ system.
|
Engine Type |
‘Thunderstroke 116’ 49 degree V-twin, air-cooled, 2 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
1,901 cc |
|
Max Power |
89 HP @ NA RPM |
|
Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 2,900 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speed |
|
Final Drive |
Belt drive |
Honda Gold Wing DCT
Price: $26,200
The Gold Wing is a wide motorcycle, yes, but Honda has worked on making it easier to ride. The engine is narrower thanks to the Unicam SOHC head, which means its overall width has gone down. Its weight is also distributed better, because, with the front double wishbone setup, the engine and the rider have been moved forward between the wheels. The dual clutch automatic gearbox, low center of mass from the flat engine, and electronics all make the Gold Wing surprisingly capable in the city as well.
|
Engine Type |
Horizontally opposed six cylinder, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
|
Max Power |
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
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Transmission |
6 speed manual with reverse assist/7 speed dual clutch automatic with manual override, reverse gear |
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Final Drive |
Shaft Drive |
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Price: $27,749
The Street Glide is actually quite decent value for money, at under $28,000. You get the most potent tune of the Milwaukee Eight 117 (the one with the liquid-cooled heads) mated to a six-speed transmission. You also get all the creature comforts imaginable from a top of the line Harley tourer, and The Motor Co. now equips most of its bikes with a six axis IMU, so there is a good safety net as well.
|
Engine Type |
‘Milwaukee Eight 117’ 45 degree V-twin, pushrod actuated OHV, 4 valves per cylinder, air-cooled cylinders/liquid-cooled heads |
|
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
|
Max Power |
105 HP @ 4,600 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
130 LB-FT @ 3,250 RPM |
|
Transmission |
6 speed |
|
Final Drive |
Belt drive |
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Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide
Price: $45,999
The CVO Road Glide is the pinnacle of Harley tourers without getting into the sporty ones. As such it turns everything up to 11 – or 12.3 inches, in the case of the TFT color display. The Milwaukee Eight 121 uses variable valve timing for an extra thick spread of torque and a higher output. And of course, the six axis IMU works in the background, enabling all the safety features you’d expect from a premium tourer.
|
Engine Type |
‘Milwaukee Eight VVT 121’ 45 degree V-twin, pushrod actuated OHV, 4 valves per cylinder, air-cooled cylinders/liquid-cooled heads, VVT on all valves |
|
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
|
Max Power |
115 HP @ 4,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
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Transmission |
6 speeds |
|
Final Drive |
Belt drive |
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