If you have a desire to travel on two wheels, then just about any motorcycle will do the trick. Heck, even the Revzilla guys were able to take a tiny scooter to Aspen, Colorado, and two up no less! It's doubtful that they would recommend doing it yourself, however. With that in mind, despite the fact that any old motorcycle will do, some are better than others. And that all depends on what you're using them for. You wouldn't take a bagger racing, would you? Oh, right.
The bottom line is, if you're set on taking a few weeks making your way through whatever country you live in, you'd be better off on a motorcycle that was purpose built for that sort of travel. You could take a Honda Monkey, but you'd be sorry you did within the first one hundred miles. So if a long distance trip is on your horizon, and it so happens that you're in the market for a new bike, then doing your research on touring motorcycles should be your top priority. What kind of comfort would you need? Should the gas tank be large enough to pack on some miles before stopping for gas? Does the bike have cruise control? Does it come with luggage, a windshield and passenger accommodations? Some of these questions may not be as relevant to every rider's situation, true, but if they're not answered, you may find yourself on a long stretch of a road, with a motorcycle that's not as well suited for your trip as you may have thought.
Updated July 2023: To many riders, comfort, large gas tanks and wind protection is the name of the game. Knowing this, many motorcycle manufacturers continue to release refined versions of existing touring models, as well as new models with even greater features and tech. And to keep our readers up to speed on the all the latest developments, we'll be updating this article from time to time.
10 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Harley-Davidson was crowned the king of touring motorcycles a long time ago, at least in America. And rightfully so, having kicked off the whole idea as soon as Eisenhower dropped a bunch of interstate highways onto US lands. And though they've ventured into other markets, as of late, HD is keeping true to its heritage by creating lean, mean touring machines like the ever popular Road Glide. What makes it so great for touring cross-country? Well it's the long-haul features that were baked into the bike, such as the upright ergonomics, floorboards for keeping your feet comfortable, a passenger seat for your travel companion, saddlebags for storage, a large fairing to keep the elements out, an infotainment system and a suite of rider safety enhancements. If your main goal is to chew up miles between destinations via good old, vintage American muscle, then the Road Glide will put a smile on your face and keep it there.
Model Highlights
- Upright Ergonomics
- Floorboards for foot comfort
- Infotainment System
- Hard luggage
9 BMW K 1600 Grand America
There may not be another manufacturer out there that's as dedicated to succeeding in the American touring market more than BMW. And it's that dedication that's helped them create competitive, feature-full motorcycles like the new R 18 in all its variant forms. But it's the old stand by, K 1600 Grand America that's the real diamond in the rough within BMW's stable of bikes. And that's because it's not pretending to be something it's not. While the R 18 is a shot at Harley and Indian baggers, the K 1600 is just happy to be a reliable, comfortable and unpretentious long distance pacer. It's a six-cylinder gentle giant that can output 133 pounds-foot of torque, which is more than enough to get you cruising smoothly on the highway. And its approachable seat height of 29.5 inches allows for greater stability at any stop. Add to that enormous amounts of storage and a luxurious passenger seat, and you're all set to tackle anything the interstate can throw at you.
Model Highlights
- 133 pounds-foot of torque
- Approachable seat height of 29.5 inches
- Large storage capacity
- Luxurious passenger seat
8 Honda Gold Wing
The Gold Wing is aptly named because it is the gold standard of touring. For over four decades, this bike has been the ultimate choice for those looking to make long trips. The reason this bike has remained on top for so long is that Honda has revamped and updated it over the years. Powering this comfortable bike is a 1,833cc 24-valve flat six-cylinder engine. It seamlessly accelerates for a smooth riding experience. There are four ride modes, hill start assist, and electronic suspension preload. The latest bikes come with a ton of technology, including a full-color screen and CarPlay. It is the proverbial couch on two wheels, and we don't mean that in a bad way. Honda's been doing it since the early 1980s, and they know a thing or two about how to do it right.
Model Highlights
- Unbeatable Honda reliability
- Powerful 1,833cc six-cylinder engine
- Smooth riding experience
- Premium features like ride modes, hill start and adjustable suspension
7 Indian Roadmaster
The Roadmaster is Indian's answer to Harley's stable of touring machines. The difference is that the Roadmaster has attractive styling and balanced performance. A 116ci Thunder Stroke V-twin powers this bike, giving you plenty of power for your long rides. Indian manages to make its bikes more functional with helpful features like an electronically adjustable windshield. It also has a massive fuel tank, reducing the number of pit stops you'll need to make while out on the road. When it comes to style, this touring bike blends design with function for large fenders that give the bike shape while also protecting the rider.
Model Highlights
- Power V-twin engine performance
- Modern technology
- Electronically adjustable windshield
- Large fender for weather protection
6 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
The Vulcan tends to lose fans because Kawasaki offers the bike in unique color combinations. Unfortunately, those colors don't always resonate with riders. The black is popular, but the teal version didn't fair too well. Where the bike excels is with performance. Its 1,700cc 52-degree V-twin engine packs plenty of torque. Traditionalists will appreciate the simplicity of the gauge display, as it lacks an advanced TFT and other bells and whistles you find on modern touring bikes. However, it does come with cruise control. The rear luggage is a bit bulky but adds an impressive ten gallons of storage to the bike. Your passenger will appreciate the comfortably padded seat and large footrests.
Model Highlights
- Uncluttered gauge display
- Cruise control
- Ten gallons of storage
- Performance-minded 1,700cc V-twin
5 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES
That's right, Yamaha doesn't just make spine tingling track bikes like the R1 and hyper naked streetfighters like the MT09. They have a full lineup of everything from adventure bikes to scooters. Somewhere in the middle of all that, lies the FJR 1300 ES. And if what you want from your cross-country trip is a whole lot of speedy fun, then the FJR is your one-stop shop for touring thrills. Sporting an inline four-cylinder beast of an engine and shaft final drive, the FJR can get you and your passenger through the canyons and curvy roads as if it were a true sport bike. The difference, of course, is in the comfort. The ergonomics are all-day-riding upright. The seat is more comfortable and the windshield isn't just for show. You'll also get a unified braking system with ABS, electronically adjustable suspension and 6.6 gallon tank for longer periods between stops.
Model Highlights
- Shaft final drive is easy to maintain
- Powerful four-cylinder engine
- 6.6 gallon tank
- Unified braking system
4 BMW R 18 B
As mentioned previously, BMW is after the US touring market, and there seems to be no stopping them this time. They maintain a large selection of K 1600 variants, but it's the R 18 that's the new, mysterious kid on the block. Styled after the original BMW R 5, the comparison to that bike ends there. When standing next to its massive, protruding boxer twin engine, there's no doubting what BMW had in mind when they built the thing. Its singular purpose is to attack Harley and Indian where they're most vulnerable, and that's comfortable cross-country motorcycles. And though it's a hefty machine, it wears its weight well, and down low. It also comes with all the typical BMW engineering brilliance, and packaged with such a unique look, there's no reason why riders shouldn't consider this as their next long distance bike.
Model Highlights
- A stylish alternative to Harley and Indian offerings
- Low, balanced weight distribution belies its heftiness
- Powerful boxer twin engine
- Several variants available to choose from
3 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
Not everything in the touring market revolves around heavy cruiser type motorcycles. Sometimes, an upright, ADV styled bike can be just as good, if not better, at doing the cross-country trip. And Yamaha's Tracer 9 GT is just the bike to do it. With a comfortable upright seating position, tall screen and factory installed side panniers, the Tracer is the perfect alternative to forward control couches from other manufacturers. It has a sporty triple at its core, adjustable suspension and a 5 gallon tank. And combined with its relatively low weight of 485 pounds and fuel efficiency of 49 miles per gallon, the Tracer can put up the miles with the best of them, while arguably being cooler, sportier and more reliable.
Model Highlights
- ADV styling sets it apart from other tourers
- Tall screen for better wind deflection
- Neutral ergonomics for all-day comfort
- Triple-cylinder engine with sporty characteristics
- Low weight of 485 pounds
2 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
The V-Strom is like the grandfather of adventure touring bikes. People struggled to define its unique purpose and design when it first hit the market. However, twenty years later and it is now a staple in the bike world for its reliability, design, comfort, and performance. Its weird styling won't win any beauty contests, but it is surprisingly aerodynamic as it cuts through the wind. While the suspension could be a bit softer, it manages to tackle the rough road and potholes just fine. Add the luggage, and you have plenty of space for all of your gear. And now, Suzuki has introduced a parallel twin version in the 800DE, which is sure to divide fans and critics alike. Though it must be noted that the original V-twin version isn't going anywhere, at least according to what Suzuki had to say on the matter.
Model Highlights
- Reliable workhorse with years of development
- Choice of V-twin or new parallel-twin options
- No frills ADV-based riding
1 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT
Triumph may be the only manufacturer that's keeping BMW from controlling the ADV and sport touring segments outright. And they're doing it with a fantastic lineup of Tiger machines, with characterful triples at their core, premium features in the cockpit and all-terrain capabilities. The Tiger 1200 GT, especially, was made to deliver cross-country fun, regardless of whether pavement was involved or not. Yes, some of the best touring motorcycles are Adventure bikes. And the 1200 GT stands among some of the greatest.
There are multiple rider modes, optional cruise control and shift assist, and auxiliary LED lights. You can also opt in for hand guards, heated grips and that life-changing accessory, the heated seat for both rider and passenger. And though your wheels may never touch dirt, or the tarmac of a highway, the Tiger 1200 GT will get you to your destination safely, and in comfort and style.
Model Highlights
- Industry leading features like rider modes and shift assist.
- Heated grips and seat
- At home on both dirt and pavement