Top 10 Touring Bikes That You Can Have For Under $5,000

With much of the industry focus being directed towards the adventure bike segment, it is easy to forget what kind of motorcycle is actually best for travel. Touring bikes offer more features and comfort for those willing to stick to paved roads. Today, some of the best mile munchers of yesteryear are downright cheap.

Many of the features we have grown accustomed to today simply did not exist back when these bikes rolled off the production line. But, one feature that all of them come with is comfort. Wind protection and luggage were optional in some cases, but you will rarely find a used touring bike without these touring staples.

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10

1997 Honda Gold Wing GL1500

Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000

By the mid-90s, the Gold Wing had become the default choice touring bike, and it was easy to see why. For the time, it was well-equipped, but today, it is more about that ultra-reliable flat six. Owners of these bikes have accumulated millions of miles over the years, so don’t get put off by the high mileage, just make sure the owner has kept up with the maintenance.

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9

1998 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000

By modern standards, this is a rather sluggish motorcycle. It is comfortable, and it is reliable, so as long as you don’t plan on getting to your destination in a hurry, this might be a good option. EVO spares are still ubiquitous, and these old air-cooled engines are relatively easy to work on for those willing to learn. As far as Harley-Davidsons go, this is about as cheap as they come.

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8

1999 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic

Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000

Harley equipped the retro Road King with the Twin Cam 88 for the 1999 model year, a pretty big step in the right direction. It didn’t make more power, but it made a fair bit more torque and also had fuel injection for the first time. These bikes held their value for years and are only getting cheaper now that they are really starting to show their age.

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7

2004 Ducati Multistrada 1000 DS

Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000

The first Multistrada designed by Pierre Terblanche got a fair amount of stick for its outlandish design. Like most Ducatis, it has aged rather well compared to its contemporaries, but what hasn’t aged well is the Italian wiring. This generation was not famed for its reliability, so a test ride is essential and, if there is no service history, rather walk away.

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6

2006 Kawasaki Concours 1000

Price Range: $1,000 – $3,000

This leftover from the 80s stayed in production all the way up until 2006. It is pretty dated, but it has good wind protection, luggage, shaft drive, and an old Ninja inline-4. It is a lot of motorcycle for around $2k. For those willing to take a chance on one of these bikes, the value proposition is quite simply unbeatable.

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5

2007 BMW K 1200 S

Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000

All the way through its production run, BMW struggled with a host of different issues with these bikes. From cam-tensioners failing to suspension issues, this is one of those bikes most prefer to avoid. Unless you find a good one, that is. While these bikes are infamous reliability nightmares, most owners only have good things to say about the riding experience. With prices this low, it might well be worth the risk.

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4

2007 Yamaha Royal Star Venture S

Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000

The Star Motorcycles sub-brand was supposed to be the next big thing for Yamaha, something akin to what Lexus is for Toyota. Unfortunately, sales were nowhere near as good as Yamaha expected them to be, and the whole experiment died a long-drawn-out death. Like most things made by Yamaha, the bikes were pretty good, and, thanks to depreciation, are no longer overpriced like they once were.

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3

2008 Victory Vision Tour

Price Range: $4,000 – $6,000

Before Indian made a triumphant return, Polaris thought a new cruiser brand would be able to take the fight to Harley. This was not the case, and it did not help that many of the bikes were plagued with reliability issues. The truly massive Vision Tour didn’t have any of those foibles, but it was naturally guilty by association. If you can stand the unusual styling, it represents fantastic value these days.

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2

2008 Buell Ulysses XB12XT

Price Range: $2,000 – $4,000

While Buell motorcycles certainly look a bit different, they have pretty simple air-cooled Sportster engines. By touring bike standards, it is relatively light, and that torque-rich V-twin makes it pretty quick off the mark. It certainly is not the most comfortable tourer on this list, but if you like being different, this is way more interesting than a regulation Sportster, and way more fun than most other affordable touring bikes.

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1

2008 Can-Am Spyder GS

Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000

The Buell might already be a little too different for most buyers, but if it is not different enough, then this should fit the bill. The Rotax twin which powers these bikes has proven to be pretty reliable, although the odd electrical gremlin is to be expected. It is cheap for a reason, though. Not many motorcycle enthusiasts want or understand three wheels, so it has a limited audience. But, anyone who thinks this is not a motorcycle clearly doesn’t understand the intended target market.

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