Best American Touring Motorcycles In 2024

America. The largest market for the automobile, and one that has the most variety of them. On the other hand, you can count on one hand the number of successful American two-wheeler brands. And there are many more that have not managed to withstand the test of time. However, look closer, and you’ll realize that the world’s fastest production motorcycle is an American sports bike – and an electric one at that!

The world’s only turbine-powered motorcycle is also American and uses a helicopter turbine fed by kerosene, diesel oil, or whatever you like for the most part to a top speed that is only theoretical, because the tires and road to test it haven’t been made yet. America is also the home of some truly special custom motorcycle builders like Arch and Combat Motors. Their products technically are classified as motorcycles but in reality, are works of art.

Most of all, though, America is known for two-wheelers that you can ride on comfortably for days, feeling the wind in your hair, and enjoying the view as you ride. Sure, you can find touring motorcycles from Japan or Europe with the specs to match, too. But that intangible X-factor has always been the prerogative of American brands. Here are, then, the best American touring motorcycles in 2024.

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10 Zero DSR/X

Price: $22,995

We can hear the arguments against the DSR/X already: the highway range is bad (85 miles at a steady 70 MPH), and the charging infrastructure on highways all make it a very difficult sell as a touring motorcycle. Those are all valid arguments, but we need to remember that no machine that ran new tech ever lived up to the existing tech of the time; horses were much better than the first motorcar, and look where we are today. The DSR/X is for those who have the same spirit as the explorers of the frontier era. We can’t deny that riding through a forest without scaring away the wildlife and being able to listen to the sounds of nature appeals to us. The DSR/X just needs a little more time to live up to its promise.

9 Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America

Price: $28,399

When you buy a Harley-Davidson CVO model, you know you’re getting the best of the best. Frankly, though, it is difficult to see how one can improve on the standard Pan America 1250. Evidently, H-D feels the same way, which is why the CVO Pan America only offers cosmetic upgrades. You get a full kit that allows you to head off on a long tour, including hard luggage, color-matched crash bars, a unique paint scheme that makes it instantly recognizable, and the exclusivity that comes with a limited-run model. We have no complaints – the Pan America 1250 is already one of the best adventure bikes out there, bar none.

8 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited

Price: $32,499

If you want to tour two up, then the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is an excellent option. It has a full-size pillion throne and all the creature comforts that you could possibly want from a touring motorcycle. For instance, the vented Batwing fairing, music system, a large TFT color display, and electronics to keep the rubber side down are all standard inclusions.

The pillion seat’s backrest also has attached hard luggage space and a rack at the top for even more luggage, which means packing for two on the Ultra Limited will never be a problem. The bricks are Brembo units and are linked with ABS as standard. Harley-Davidson’s six-speed transmission is available on the Ultra Limited with cruise control. There really is nothing else you will want on a long ride with the Ultra Limited.

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7 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

Price: $32,499

The price of the Road Glide Limited is exactly the same as the Ultra Limited and with good reason. They are exactly the same motorcycles with the only difference being the fairing. The Ultra Limited gets the Batwing fairing that is handlebar mounted, and the headlamp turns when you turn the handlebar. Whereas, the Road Glide Limited has the Shark Nose fairing that is frame mounted and therefore stays pointing straight even when you turn the handlebar. This might help a little if you put in a lot of miles in places with strong crosswinds, or you have semi-trucks passing by a lot. On the other hand, if you face a slow-speed hairpin bend at night, the Batwing fairing’s headlamp-turning ability will be useful.

6 Indian Chieftain Elite

Price: $35,499

The Indian Chieftain Elite is the direct competitor to the Harley-Davidson Street Glide. It has the same handlebar-mounted fairing, but it offers quite a few features that could take potential customers away from the Harley. You can view information on a large 7-inch TFT color display. The tinted windshield is electrically adjustable, the hard luggage has remote locking, and the Thunderstroke 116 offers great performance. Finally, it looks unique in the bronze finish.

5 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra

Price: $37,999

Weight isn’t a concern here since it is a trike, so luxuries abound in the Tri Glide Ultra. Among the standard features are a big 6.5-inch TFT color screen, 25 W per channel audio system, massive luggage space, and a full electronics suite. The latter comprises linked brakes, cornering ABS and traction control, hill hold assist, and drag torque slip control. If balancing 1000 pounds on two wheels is a daunting prospect for you, the Tri Glide Ultra will give you all the enjoyment of a motorcycle, minus those worries.

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4 Indian Challenger Elite

Price: $38,499

Only 324 units of the illustrious Challenger Elite will be put on sale worldwide. What you get for your money is one of the best products that Indian has ever produced. It offers features like inverted front forks with radially mounted Brembo calipers, rear suspension with electronically adjustable preload, and tying everything together in the electronics is a Bosch IMU. All this is in addition to the standard features like the 7-inch TFT color display, a sound system with speakers in the hard saddlebags, and a frame-mounted fairing with LED lighting and adaptive headlamps. This would be a great addition to your garage – if you can get your hands on one!

3 Indian Pursuit Elite

Price: $39,999

The Pursuit Elite offers a more laid-back touring experience compared to the Challenger Elite. It is, however, even more limited than the Challenger Elite, with only 150 models being produced globally. The pillion enjoys ultimate comfort with a backrest, top box, and a rack for more luggage on top of that. All the luggage is remotely lockable,.

Powering the heavyweight is the PowerPlus 108 engine, which not only offers great performance, but has a unique look to it with the bronze heads, bronze crankcase, and silver accents. Bringing things back under control are Brembo radial calipers that grip twin 320 mm semi-floating rotors at the front. You can even consider this an experience rather than just a motorcycle.

2 Indian Roadmaster Elite

Price: $41,999

The Roadmaster Elite is the pinnacle of Indian’s current range, and it rightfully so gets the biggest, baddest powerplant – the Thunderstroke 116 with 126 LB-FT. Each Roadmaster Elite is individually numbered on the center console, and the lovely retro paint scheme takes over 24 hours to complete, with hand-painted gold pinstripes. The PowerBand Audio system offers 50 percent more volume from 12 speakers all over the motorcycle. And the speakers have under-glow lighting. Both rider and pillion get heated as well as cooled seats.

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1 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide

Price: $44,499

The CVO Street Glide is the most expensive motorcycle here and with good reason. The CVO tag means that it has premium components compared even to the regular premium touring motorcycles mentioned here. You get top-shelf mechanicals all around, such as inverted front forks, radially mounted 4-piston Brembo fixed calipers, 31 LBs of weight reduction compared to the ’22 CVO Street Glide, a high flow exhaust system, and the largest displacement engine ever fitted to a Harley touring motorcycle. We’re not sure how good it might be for two up touring since it doesn’t have the throne of the Limited motorcycles. But if you want your tourer to be enjoyable to ride quickly, this one’s a no-brainer.