Cruising by yourself is fun, but going on an adventure with a buddy is even better. Motorcycles have two seats for a reason, so why not take someone along with you on your next great two-wheeled adventure? Riding a motorcycle with someone else can be an intimate thing. There isn't a lot of space, and you have to work together to maintain balance. Some motorcycles will have you happily inviting someone along. While others will have you wishing you had left your passenger at home. These 10 motorcycles will make your passenger's experience an enjoyable one.
Updated July 2023: Manufacturers continue to update and release new models that are perfect for riding two up! And in trying to provide the latest information for our readers, this list will periodically be updated with all the best possible options for riding with a passenger.
Honda Gold Wing
Riding as a passenger on the Honda Gold Wing is like sitting in a recliner. It is so comfortable that you could easily find yourself falling asleep for a little nap while out on a long ride. The seat has just the right amount of padding, it is also heated. The backrest is curved for a held-in-place hugged feeling. The bike has a massive amount of storage, making it perfect for traveling. Skip the older generations of the Honda Gold Wing and opt for a newer model. They come with significantly more power and an impressive sound system.
BMW R 1250 RT
The BMW brand has become one of the most trusted for making bikes with the latest technology and creature comforts. Those who have had the pleasure of experiencing the BMW R 1250 RT know that it performs well in various situations. It smoothly rolls along at slow speeds. It offers just as impressive of a performance at highway speeds. Your passenger will appreciate this as they are at your mercy for how smooth or bumpy the ride is. The seat has really nice padding, providing plenty of support for long riding hours. There are the typical, heated seats and ride modes. BMW also considered airflow and debris when it sculpted the bodywork, to make sure the ride is hassle-free. The final cherry on the cake is the large amount of accessories to customize the bike to fit you and your passenger's needs.
Yamaha FJR1300ES
If you and your co-pilot are in the mood for something a little sportier, then Yamaha has just the bike for you. The FJR1300ES is tailor-made for carving up the road as a team. It looks like a sport bike and rides just like one too. The only difference is that Yamaha put a lot of thought into making the pillion rider experience just as fun. The seat is comfortable, the suspension is adjustable, tuned just right from the get go, and the ride is smooth due to Yamaha's proprietary ride-by-wire technology.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
There may not be anything cooler than going cross-country on a Harley. And the bar and shield company certainly has plenty of options for you to choose from, but if you're bringing along your significant other, nothing but the best will do. The Road Glide Limited is about as comfortable as it gets.
There's plenty of storage for the two of you and the pillion seat has creature comforts to spare. There are floorboards, armrests and a plush backrest. Your passenger can lean in or sit back and enjoy the view. Of course, you pay the price for all that comfort. Harleys are almost never cheap, and this one is no different, starting at nearly $30,000.
Kawasaki Concours14
Perhaps the biggest competitor the Yamaha FJR1300ES has is Kawasaki's Concours14 which is the perfect sport tourer for two. The star here is the highly adjustable suspension, giving both the rider and their passengers a plush ride, while carving up all the curvy roads. There's also the electronically adjustable windshield, roomy sadlebags for both helmets, if need be, and a smooth as butter shaft drive to keep the ride free of noise and vibrations. It has ABS, to keep your passenger safe and the pricing is also fairly considerate, with the Concours14 starting at $16,000.
Suzuki V-Strom
The Suzuki V-Strom adventure bike is perfect for exploring the great unknown. Even better, it has a backseat comfortable enough to bring someone along. The bike comes in three sizes, 650cc, 800cc and 1050cc. The smaller engine is incredibly lightweight and affordable. In comparison, the 1050cc gives you noticeably more torque without a ton of extra weight.
Your passenger will love the bike because it has a large cushioned seat with plenty of support. There is also a lot of room for their legs to stretch out to reach the pegs. You will appreciate the extra space between you and the passenger, which gives you more flexibility and movement. The 800DE model is also something to be excited about, as it's the newest addition to the lineup, with a brand-new engine.
Triumph Tiger 900 GT
If you and your trip partner are in it for the long haul, perhaps traveling from one country to another via highways and dirt roads, there may not be a better option than the Triumph Tiger 900 GT. For an adventure bike, the Tiger offers your passenger a very comfortable seat. The large seat and well-placed foot pegs give your passenger decent ergonomics.
The passenger was also thought of when designing the storage boxes that get placed at the back of the bike. The bike could be fully loaded, and the passenger will still feel comfortable. As the one controlling the bike, you will appreciate the engineering that went into balancing the bike. Even in loose or uneven terrain, this bike delivers a comfortable ride.
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide
Some may argue that this isn't a true motorcycle. However, the two wheels at the back do not take away from the fact that this trike is still a bike. This is the perfect motorcycle for when your passenger isn't really a rider. There is no balancing, so they can just sit back and relax as you cruise down the road.
The bike is perfect for traveling because there is plenty of storage space for two people. If that wasn't enough, the bike has a complete infotainment system that could rival a car. Your passenger can choose their own music through their helmet or share music with you through the speaker system.
Indian Roadmaster
Indian has Harley squarely in their sights with the Roadmaster. They, too, know how to build motorcycles that can comfortably tour around the country. And though Harley may be the king of cool, Indian is approaching the marketing from a slightly different angle. Yes they have some pedigree, though not as storied as that of Harley-Davidson, but they've been building bikes for a long time. And ever since Polaris became the primary owner of Indian, the motorcycles slowly started to become more modern and reliable.
If Harley is leaning into their heritage, Indian is certainly acknowledging it, but do not appear to be mired in nostalgia. The fit and finish of the Roadmaster is thoroughly modern and that includes passenger considerations. The storage is a premium 36+ gallons. There are independent heat controls for both the rider and passenger. And the adjustable vents in the hard lower fairings allow for greater control of airflow. There's also the nifty rear cylinder automatic deactivation feature, which allows for a smoother ride at slower speeds.
BMW F 750 GS
If you looked at the Triumph Tiger 900 GT and thought perhaps it's a little too big for you and your riding partner, then consider an easy-to-control bike like the F 750 GS. It's more compact and lighter in weight than many of the touring bikes on this list. It also has a less aggressive body position than the sport tourers. The slightly higher passenger seat will give your partner a clear view of the road. This eliminates the slight side lean that can throw a beginner off balance.
Like any self-respecting GS, the F 750 will gladly tackle any terrain you and your partner decide to throw at it. Last, but not least, and in true BMW fashion, you have a great deal of accessories to pick and choose from for your long trip across the world.
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce LUSSO SCS
To say that the Turismo Veloce LUSSO SCS is a design-forward motorcycle is like saying Michael Jordan was on a sports team. It's certainly accurate, but nowhere near the real truth. And the Turismo isn't even MVAgusta's craziest looking motorcycle. That honor goes to the Rush 1000. But all hyperbole aside, MV Agusta's sole touring offering features some tasty specifications, to go along with those wild looks. Its inline three-cylinder engine outputs 110 horsepower, the suspension offers plenty of plush riding with semi-active front and rear shocks and the seat height is only 32.68 inches. There's room for two, and the hard case luggage that comes standard is great for traveling for days on end.
CFMoto Ibex 800 T
CFMoto is quickly overcoming the perception that Chinese-made motorcycles are subpar in every category. Their presence in US dealerships is continuing to grow and it's thanks in no small part to offerings like the Ibex 800 T. A relatively inexpensive shot at the big adventure touring models like the BMW GS lineup of bikes, at $10,499 you get features like spoke wheels, skidplate, KYB suspension, heated grips and seat and luggage racks. It even looks pretty handsome, if not somewhat familiar. Seat height is only 32.5 inches, the inline-two outputs 94 horsepower and the weight is about 510 pounds. All of which makes riding with a passenger a breeze.
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello
We wouldn't be exaggerating too much when we say that Moto Guzzi shocked that world with the release of the V100 Mandello. A surprisingly handsome, capable and modern offering from a brand that specializes in modern classics like the V7. But the V100 was something new from the Italian manufacturer. A stylish sport tourer that's made for riding long days. Bursting with modern features such as an electronically adjustable screen, the 115 horsepower bike can take you and your passenger on whatever ride you want to take.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
KTM is forever duking it out with BMW for the top adventure bike position. And with motorcycles like the 1290 Super Adventure S, they have a legitimate reason to be up on that podium. Plenty of power, top end features and comfortable for both the rider and the pillion, the S has better specifications for two-up touring than the R version. Otherwise it's pretty much the same capable beast that'll tackle any road you throw before it.
Ducati Multistrada V4 S
Before the Desert X reared its off-roading head, the Multistrada was Ducati's de facto adventure bike. Only it really wasn't. Made primarily to tackle the road at a fast pace, while looking devilishly good, the Multistrada V4 S is tailor-made for two-up riding. There's plenty of power to pull the weight with 170 horsepower available from the V4 engine. You can also outfit it with luggage, utilize the onboard navigation system and feel safe with the rider assistance radar-system. It doesn't get any better than a Ducati for feeling like you've got the best tool for the job.