For a significant population of bikers, touring motorcycles are at the top of the list in terms of bikes that rule overall. Let's go down the list: they're big, loud, comfortable, flashy, equipped with the latest in riding technology, and they are made to conquer the highway for those big cross-country road trips. In other words, a touring motorcycle is what sport bikes and cruisers want to be when they grow up. The demand for touring motorcycles is no coincidence either. If you walk into any dealership, you may notice a significantly large amount of floor space is dedicated to the touring class. Given that these motorcycles are designed to be ridden for a long time, often times with a passenger, a touring bike is a very big (literally) investment for a rider to hold onto. Those buying a touring bike for the first time will be able to experience the joy of riding a motorcycle that feels like a couch, and previous owners of touring bikes will be able to see the latest toys to hit the floor when they are ready for that big, expensive upgrade.

Related: Top 10 Bikes For A Cross-Country Road Trip

1 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS

When we think "Kawasaki", we immediately think of the high-performance Ninja. While that is true, Kawasaki's repertoire extends far beyond that of the sports bike realm. This is evident by its touring cruiser, the Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS. Perfect for two riders, or riding solo, this touring bike comes equipped with a 1,700cc fuel-injected V-twin engine, as well as Kawasaki's Advanced Coactive-braking Technology (K-ACT II), anti-lock brakes (ABS), and a very useful cruise control option for those extended riding periods that will warrant giving your throttle a rest. While it may not be the most technology-heavy touring bike on this list, it certainly does have a few special features to make the ride safe and enjoyable without breaking the bank.

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2 2023 BMW R 1250 RT

A touring motorcycle that has the added benefit of German engineering on its side is none other than the 2023 BMW R 1250 RT. Designed to cut through the wind like an arrow, this motorcycle slices through miles of highway thanks to its slimmer front end. Not to mention that it is able to provide enough space to comfortably seat two people for those long riding days. This touring bike also features an extra-large 10.25" TFT display and infotainment system that comes equipped with turn-by-turn navigation, radio, Bluetooth connectivity with smart devices, on-board data, and more. In addition, the R 1250 RT comes equipped with adaptive headlights, adaptive cruise control (ACC), multiple ride modes, and heated seats. Because if you and a passenger are going to be riding for a while, you might as well stay relaxed and comfortable the whole time.

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3 2023 BMW R 18 TransContinental

We've seen what BMW can do when it comes to building a sporty touring bike. But for a real road warrior, the BMW R 18 TransContinental is here to show you what road tripping is all about. Because if you've got a long trip ahead of you, you might as well do it in comfort and style. This is evident by the bike's visually captivating wide fairing, auxiliary headlights, and tall windshield to protect you and your passenger from gusts of wind, as well as any dirt, bugs, and debris that might come your way. It also comes with a 6.3 gallon fuel tank to really milk out every drop of fuel into every mile. Plus, having three storage facilities, as well as the top case doubling as a backrest for your passenger will provide plenty of room for riding gear, food, clothes, souvenirs, safety equipment, and anything else you can think of that you'll want to bring on a road trip.

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Related: 10 Things We Just Found Out About The New BMW R 18 Roctane

4 2023 Harley-Davidson Road King Special

To kick the list off for Harleys is the very foundation of Harley-Davidson's touring class, the Road King Special. This motorcycle is universally loved by beginner and veteran riders at it is tangible proof of how appealing simplicity can be to the masses. The Road King Special is a base model for Harley's touring class, but millions of riders view it as something much more. This is due to the fact that this motorcycle is able to provide a thrilling, unforgettable riding experience by having absolutely zero fat on it. It has everything you need, and nothing you don't. That includes a large touring frame, large saddle with room for two, floor boards, forward controls, a six-gallon fuel tank, two extended saddlebags, very responsive handling, and the mighty Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Not to mention that its simplistic design makes it the perfect blank canvas for personal customization!

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5 2023 Honda Gold Wing

It has been widely known that Honda has been able to produce a wide selection of very popular motorcycles for the masses. But one particular model that has stood the test of time, and continues to carve out a slice of the touring bike market is the one and only Honda Gold Wing. This luxury cruiser is made for one thing only, and that is to make the open road its second home. The Gold Wing continues to dominate long stretches of highway with ample amounts of comfort to both the rider and passenger, as well as a premium sound system to keep the road trip playlist blasting, as well as plenty of storage for when you're planning on spending some nights away from home for a little adventure time. And don't be fooled by its size. While this bike is definitely on the larger side, especially given the rest of Honda's motorcycle portfolio, it is just as agile and nimble as the rest, making short work out of those twisty side roads.

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6 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide And Road Glide Special

If you are familiar with Harley-Davidson's Street Glides and Road Glides, you would know that there has been a bit of sibling rivalry between these two bikes for decades. While they both share the same body and engine as the Road King Special, as well as the same touch-screen infotainment system, and dual speakers, it all boils down to the fairings. Is it the Street Glide Special's batwing fairing, or the Road Glide Special's fixed shark nose fairing? Everyone will have their biases, despite the fact that both of these motorcycles are the most in-demand touring models on the market. Both bikes offer effective protection from the wind, as well as bugs, dirt, dust, and road debris. Technically, there is no wrong answer. A lot of it really depends on the personal comfort and style of the rider.

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7 2023 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited And Road Glide Limited

For the real road warriors out there, having the latest in riding tech is nice. But deep down, the real reason for a touring bike is for the memories that you are building as you roam the country with a partner, or solo. Because if you expect to be on the road for a while, you are going to want to be comfortable (especially your passenger). That is where both the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited and Road Glide Limited come into play. In many ways, these motorcycles are similar to the Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special in terms of engine size, fairings, and infotainment. But both of these bikes offer a few extra features to make life on the road a lot more enjoyable. To start, both come with a third rear-mounted luggage carrier that doubles as a backrest for your passenger. They also feature a second set of speakers in the rear, as well as a reinforced suspension system that will make riding for two a lot smoother.

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Related: Meet The 2023 CVO Road Glide And Street Glide - Harley-Davidson’s Finest Tourers Yet

8 2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST And Road Glide ST

If you wanted all the comfort and style of a touring motorcycle, but you absolutely need that extra boost in speed, that is where the Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST & Road Glide ST come to shine. While essentially the same as the Street Glide Special and Road Glide Special, the one area where both of these bikes pull ahead from the rest of the pack is performance. Rocking the once-elusive Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, both of these motorcycles are designed for more experienced riders that could really use that extra kick in torque, while still being able to enjoy all the comfort and amenities that you can find on a normal Street Glide and Road Glide. On top of having a larger engine, both of these bikes come equipped with a raised suspension, allowing you to really take advantage of that lean while navigating those twisty back roads. They also feature some upgraded safety enhancements like Cornering-ABS, Cornering-Traction Control, Drag Torque Slip Control, Hill Hold Control (HHC), a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and more.

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9 2023 Indian Roadmaster Limited And Indian Pursuit Limited

If you are going to tour the great American landscape, you might as well do it on an all-American motorcycle like the Indian Roadmaster Limited and the Indian Pursuit Limited. Both configured to rule long stretches of highway for lengthy amounts of time, these motorcycles have a hand in setting a new standard for style and comfort. These bikes also set themselves up to be big contenders in the touring market thanks to them having over 36 gallons of storage space between its two saddlebags and trunk. These bikes are also sporting a dynamic sound system with four speakers, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones, radio, motorcycle data, and an even longer list of special features to make every ride feel like an adventure.

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10 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide And CVO Road Glide

If you've been a good boy/girl, and you've felt that it's about time you treat yourself to something big, then there is no greater prize than the 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide. Truly one-of-a-kind, these rare touring motorcycles have quite near everything one could ever want on a bike: the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine, a completely redesigned and modernized look, a 12.3" touch-screen infotainment system, multiple ride modes, a Rockford Fosgate Stage II sound system with four speakers, 4.5" diameter mufflers, an improved suspension system with 47mm inverted SHOWA forks and premium shocks, high-performance Brembo brakes, and more! Not to mention that both of these models have taken on a more futuristic approach in their design, resembling something you'd see out of a Star Wars movie. If you want all the bells, whistles, comfort, and attention-grabbing looks, these are the bikes for you! Just have that checkbook ready for when you're ready to ride it home.

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