It seemed like the 2010s were just here. One minute we are tuning in to Jersey Shore with our fresh frosted tips. Next thing you know, we are rearranging our schedules to attend PTA meetings. Life comes at you fast and a lot can change overnight. Thankfully for the motorcycle world, it was a good time to be a touring bike because they generally do not require a lot in order to put a smile on your face. All you need is a big seat with enough room for two, some floorboards, forward controls, some saddlebags, and a big engine, and all that stands between you and some adventure is the open road. While this does paint a pretty picture for touring bikes, anyone that has taken one on a road trip understands just how much fun these bikes are, and how the 2010s were a turning point for some of the models that we love and appreciate in the 2020s. So let's take a closer look at some of the models that stood out in this decade, as well as some that saw their final days before embarking off to the big highway in the sky.

Related: Best Touring And Adventure Bikes Under $10,000

1 2014 BMW K 1600 GTL

When BMW decided to set their sights on taking a bite out of the touring motorcycle market, that's when they debuted the K 1600 GTL in January 2010. While it is clearly larger when compared to its brethren, K 1600 GTL offers ample amounts of comfort both for its rider and passenger while still remaining true to its aerodynamic styling to cut through the wind. It is fair to say that this bike brought equal amounts of comfort and power to the table, and it has consistently been a favorite among riders to still be in production to this day.

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2 2017 Harley-Davidson Road King

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If there is a motorcycle brand that knows a thing or two about touring motorcycles, it's Harley-Davidson, and the one touring bike that serves as the foundation for its touring class is the sacred Road King. This motorcycle is proof of how you can never go wrong with simplicity. There is zero excessive fat on this bike because it has everything a touring bike needs, and nothing it doesn't. It is built on a sturdy touring frame, a large saddle, floorboards, forward controls, two large and hard saddlebags, a six-gallon fuel tank, detachable windshield, and all models following the 2017 production year came equipped with the mighty Milwaukee-Eight engine. This motorcycle's primary focus was to make its rider as comfortable as possible on a reliable touring bike without breaking the bank. Fair to say that it succeeded and all of those fronts.

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3 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

Because Harley-Davidson's touring class has some of its most popular motorcycles in its inventory, there are some riders that look for a little more "extra" in a bike. That is where the Ultra Classic comes in. While touring bikes generally have a strong emphasis on comfort for those long, extended rides down the highway, it's the Ultra Classic that takes it a step further to make it feel like you are riding a couch. Built for two, this bike comes with an extra-cushy saddle along with a backrest attached to the additional luggage rack for the rear passenger. Many riders will admit to being so comfortable while riding in the back of this bike that they have fallen asleep on more than one occasion! During the 2010s, these bikes also come equipped with a four-speaker stereo system with AM/FM radio and a CD player. These days this is considered ancient technology, but at the time, it meant you were the coolest couple on two wheels!

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Related: 10 Reasons Why The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King Is The Best New Harley

4 2015 Victory Cross Country

Since Harley-Davidson is on this list, it is only fair that one its longtime (now defeated) rivals made its way here too. And rightly so, because in terms of touring bikes, the 2015 Victory Cross Country certainly set a new standard for its touring line before parent company Polaris cashed in its chips in 2017. This bike certainly kept its competition on its toes as the Cross Country was just as agile and powerful as it was comfortable. Being able to excel in all three of those areas is no easy feat, and Victory managed to succeed with this bike. It also provided some special features now seen as standard on touring bikes today, including cruise control, heated grips, and ABS. In a world where everyone flocks to Harley, sometimes it paid off to venture down a different path to get the bike you wanted. It certainly paid off for a lot of riders as this bike's MSRP started at $21,999, which is a fair number to get the most bang for your buck.

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5 2014 Victory Cross Roads

For those in the market for a Victory, but would prefer something more stripped-down and simplified, that is where they would find the Cross Roads. Adapting a similar concept to Harley's Road King, the Cross Roads had also placed great emphasis on being a straight-to-the-point touring bike with zero fluff. It had everything one would need to hit the highway for hours, such as a large touring seat, detachable windshield, a pair of hard saddlebags, floorboards, a 5.8 gallon fuel tank, and Victory's smooth and sweeping design. Much like its Cross Country sibling, the Victory Cross Roads was able to check off all the boxes when regarding comfort, style, power, and handling. Although Polaris eventually had to pull the plug on Victory, that also means that the odds of finding a pre-owned one on the market is a little higher than before.

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6 2014 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager

A touring bike wouldn't be the first thing one may think of when it comes to Kawasaki's motorcycle lineup. Normally the first thing to pop into their heads is the Ninja, the Versys, and the KLR. But considering that the Japanese brand is one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, it only seemed appropriate that it would have the touring class covered as well. And considering that the touring market is incredibly competitive, Kawasaki brought a real contender to the masses with the Vulcan 1700 Voyager. While the regular Vulcan is your standard laid-back cruiser, the Vulcan 1700 Voyager is that same bike all grown up. Aiming to be the pinnacle of luxury and power on the open road, this bike blew many sport bike riders' minds when they found out that a motorcycle of this size is a lot more powerful than it looks. Of course, it can also be used as a laid-back cruiser as well.

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7 2012 Yamaha Royal Star Venture S

Similar to Kawasaki, Yamaha was another big Japanese manufacturer aiming to take a slice out of the touring market. First introduced in the early-1980's, and again in 1999, the Yamaha Royal Star Venture S was the brands answer to a comfortable long-distance touring bike. For those looking to put some serious miles on a touring bike, the Royal Star Venture S was here to answer the call with its bucket-style seats, a wraparound backrest for the rear passenger, 33.6 gallons of total storage space between its three saddlebags, and an entertainment system that featured four speakers, a CB radio, intercom communication system, AM/FM radio, and its own Star-branded iPod touch (remember those?). While Yamaha eventually discontinued the Royal Star Venture line in 2013, it was still a memorable era for the brand's venture into the touring bike world.

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Related: Where's My New Star Venture?

8 2018 Honda Gold Wing

If there was a sacred cow of the touring motorcycle class, the Honda Gold Wing would be that very model. This bike has stood the test of time and remains in production after passing a 40-year milestone as a staple in Honda's lineup. The reason why the Gold Wing has managed to maintain this kind of consistency is due to its reputation as a reliable touring bike that provides enough comfort, power, storage, and style for its riders to have a memorable riding experience. This bike has certainly gone through quite the evolution as its more recent models have become lighter, more condensed, more powerful, and more technologically-equipped than the rest of the touring market. By delivering a redesigned flat-6 engine, its Double Wishbone front suspension, lots and lots of infotainment features, and a separate version with an automatic seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, the Gold Wing was definitely one of the touring bike MVPs of the 2010s, and that same ranking continues its reign to this day.

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9 2019 Indian Chief Vintage

It would be a shame if we had a list of the top touring bikes of the 2010s and not include the Indian Chief Vintage. Another arch-rival to Harley-Davidson, the Chief was first introduced to the public in 2014 at the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally where it received a lot of positive attention. Packing a little more muscle than some of its smaller Indian siblings, the Indian Chief Vintage catered to those looking to turn some heads while they're cruising down the highway. By looking to the past, Indian released this limited-edition model in three color schemes: Thunder Black, Sky Blue over Pearl White, and Willow Green over Ivory Cream. Definitely a modern-day throwback to the good-ole days when riders would cruise down to the local soda fountain for some cheeseburgers and milkshakes. The leather saddlebags with tassels were another nice touch too.

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10 2014 Triumph Rocket III Touring

Although The Triumph Bonneville T120 would be considered the face of this British motorcycle brand, the Triumph Rocket III Touring was proof that it knew what it took to go big. Like the saying goes, "there's no replacement for displacement," and Triumph knew how to deliver the goods with a touring bike. It's big. It has attitude. It wanted to let the rest of the motorcycling world know especially Harley-Davidson) that they are coming for them, and they've got the specs to prove it. Taking its "Rocket" name literally, Triumph was able to upgrade its in-line triple 4-stroke engine from a 1500 all the way up to a beastly 2,294ccs, making it the biggest displacement production model today. While some riders may find that amount of power intimidating, rest assured that this bike keeps all that extra power tucked away only for circumstances when it truly needs it. So feel free to cruise around at your leisure.

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