As the saying goes, any motorcycle is an adventure motorcycle. And truth be told, you can pretty much "tour" on any bike. If you dig deep enough, you'll find cases of people taking their Honda Trail125 on the Trans American Trail! Take THAT, BMW.

To each their own, of course, but we have a sworn duty to provide our readers with the best possible options. In this case, we'll forgo the typical cruiser and bagger offerings. We'll also ignore the smaller, beginner-friendly options. We're going right for the sweet spot. Something that will bite off the miles in great big chunks, keep you comfortable, give you plenty of features and let you skip the backpack for some roomy luggage options. Because as we see it, these are your top touring options on the market today.

Update June 2023: This list of best touring motorcycles has been updated with the latest round of upgrades on the individual trims with the latest facts and specs as of June 2023. We hope this gives you a well-rounded idea of which motorcycle to consider for yourself.

RELATED: 10 Motorcycles That Define Grand American Touring

15 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport

Starting MSRP: $12,290

Red 2022 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport cruising through town
Triumph Motorcycles

For those of us looking to hit some curvy roads for a few days, there may not be anything better than Triumph's middleweight Tiger. Its triple engine, outputting 84 hp, is of full zip and character. It'll keep you occupied as you chop through the corners on the way to your favorite burger joint, way over there, 500 miles away.

Performance Specs

Displacement

888cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder

Horsepower

84 horsepower at 8,500 rpm

Torque

60 pound-feet at 6,500 rpm

Curb Weight

423 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

With Triumph's accessory catalog, not to mention a sizable aftermarket, brimming with luggage options, you won't have to pick and choose which vacation clothes you bring with you. Triumph has a big lineup of Tigers, one for any possible need, even if you are looking at the best touring motorcycle for beginners. But the Sport 850 is where it's at, when it comes to touring with a bit of pep to your step.

14 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Starting MSRP: $14,099

Suzuki GSX
Suzuki

There is a reason why the GSX-S1000GT+ is one of the best bikes to come out in 2022. Suzuki is putting on a masterclass on how to build a touring motorcycle with the S1000GT+. It's built on a familiar chassis, with sport blood pumping through its veins. It has all the mentality of a Suzuki sport bike, with the premium features and ergonomics befitting the very best grand tourer.

Performance Specs

Displacement

999cc

Engine Type

4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, DOHC

Horsepower

150 horsepower

Torque

79.66 pound-feet

Curb Weight

498 lbs

Transmission

6-speed constant mesh

If that doesn't entice you, maybe the superbly designed, integrated side cases will. It is next-level comfortable, has all the stopping power you will need with its Brembo brakes, and will go like a bat out of hell with its 999cc, GSX-R-derived monster of an engine. A comfortable, reasonably priced sport bike to tour on? Sounds like a winning proposition to us.

13 Ducati Multistrada

Starting MSRP: $27,195

Ducati Multistrada V4 2022 adventure motorcycle
Ducati

No list of motorcycles would ever be complete without including something from the Italian manufacturer's stable. They seem to do no wrong when it comes to developing motorcycles for any sector. And so we come to the gorgeous, feature-full Ducati Multistrada. What can't this bike do? Its limits may not have been found yet, but we do know that its V4, 170 hp engine will knock a frown right off your face.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1,158cc

Engine Type

V4 Granturismo, liquid-cooled

Horsepower

170 horsepower at 10,500 rpm

Torque

92 pound-feet at 8,750 rpm

Curb Weight

480 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

It's packed full of fancy technology, features and creature comforts. Its integrated navigation system, ludicrously long maintenance schedule and gorgeous looks will cost you dearly, however. The starting price is north of $27,000. That's nose-bleed territory, though you may find that it's totally worth the pain in your wallet.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The Ducati Panigale V4 Is The Best Sport Bike

12 Honda NC 750X DCT

Starting MSRP: $9,399

2023 Honda nc750x dct matte nightshade blue
Honda

Alright, we'll admit that the NC750X isn't known for being the most exciting choice. But you know what it is? A safe one. Not every rider is looking to get their face blown off on the highway. Some riders are looking for a more relaxed and reliable ride, where they can enjoy their surroundings for days on end. The NC750X will provide you with just that. Add to that Honda's semi-automatic DCT transmission, and you have a bike that will allow you to focus your attention on whatever it is that's important to you on your trip.

Performance Specs

Displacement

745cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, four-stroke 55º parallel-twin

Horsepower

58 horsepower at 6,750 rpm

Torque

51 pound-feet at 4,750 rpm

Curb Weight

493 lbs

Transmission

Six-speed Automatic Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

It is a perfect motorcycle for those that are new riders, perhaps intimidated by manual transmissions. It's also perfect for seasoned riders who are looking to relieve the burden on their hands and feet from constantly shifting and pulling on the clutch. It's comfortable, cheap (at less than $10,000) and easy to ride. The perfect tool waiting for a rider to use it just right.

11 KTM 890 Adventure

Starting MSRP: $13,949

2023 KTM 890 ADVENTURE Wheelie
KTM

Let's be clear about something. This may not be the safest choice for a touring bike. But it's definitely the most exciting. KTM has a reputation for building some of the best motorcycles to experience the world with, be it dirt or pavement. But you may also find yourself experiencing lots of downtime, as they're not the most reliable machines. But for us, the shear pleasure of riding a KTM 890 Adventure outweighs any potential negatives.

Performance Specs

Displacement

889cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, DOHC

Horsepower

90 horsepower at 8,200 rpm

Torque

62 pound-feet at 6,200 rpm

Curb Weight

474 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

It's just pure fun in its rawest form. It has all the rider aids you'll ever need like riding modes, ABS and traction control. And if your trip should take you off-road, the 890 is purpose-built to deliver maximum thrills there as well. And if that wasn't enough, the thing just looks straight-up bananas, in a way that only KTM can design it. There's nothing else like it on the road in looks or performance.

10 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES

Starting MSRP: $18,299

Yamaha-FJR1300
Yamaha

Yamaha perhaps built the best supersport bike for touring with a passenger. The FJR 1300 ES just looks comfortable. It has a massive gas tank, at 6.6 gallons. It weighs 642 lbs, which is a bit on the heavy side, but with all the equipment and a 1298cc engine it is to be expected. Other than that you'll have the premium electronically adjustable suspension, low seat height, and perhaps most importantly, cruise control. It's not the most important motorcycle in Yamaha's lineup, but it certainly has its own fan club. And it just may well be a sleeper hit of the touring world.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1298cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder

Horsepower

142 horsepower at 8,300 rpm

Torque

102 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm

Curb Weight

642 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

9 BMW R 1250 RT

Starting MSRP: $19,695

BMW R1250RT riding shot
BMW

Time and time again, we as riders find out that BMW definitely knows what it's doing. It's not surprising really. BMW has been making motorcycles for a long time. They even arguably invented the modern adventure motorcycle category with their GS line of bikes. But they didn't want to forget about their buyers that like to tour, but don't really care for the adventure aspect of it. That's where the R 1250 RT comes in.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1,254cc

Engine Type

Two-cylinder, air-/fluid-cooled, four-stroke boxer engine

Horsepower

136 horsepower at 7,750 rpm

Torque

105 pound-feet at 6,250 rpm

Curb Weight

615 lbs

Transmission

6-speed helical synchromesh gearbox

It has that famous boxer engine at the core, but everything else is tailored for the street. 136 hp, 105 lbs-ft of torque is plenty for making your way through the countryside. And with 124 mph top speed, you won't need to worry about overtaking any car or truck in front of you. Overall, it's similar to the above-mentioned FJR 1300, but if you're not into Yamaha's looks, and want a bit of European flare, the R 1250 RT is the way to go.

8 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT

Starting MSRP: $18,899

Kawasaki Versys 1000 SE LT+ riding shot
Kawasaki

Versys is a name that seems to provoke a lot of shade for being boring. But conspicuously, all the Versys variants sure do appear on a lot of "best of" lists. We don't happen to think the Versys 1000 LT is boring at all, and feel it belongs firmly on our top 10 list of best touring motorcycles. It's not cheap, at roughly $19,000, but Kawasaki packed a ton of features into its chassis.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1,043cc

Engine Type

4-stroke, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, liquid-cooled

Horsepower

102 horsepower at 9,000 rpm

Torque

75.2 pound-feet at 7,500 rpm

Curb Weight

566.7 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

There is the electronically adjustable Showa suspension. A quickshifter to make things easier for you to shift. You have traction control with cornering management function. ABS is standard, of course. And you can connect your smartphone to the large TFT display. But Kawasaki saved the best for last by including integrated side cases, cruise control and heated grips.

RELATED: The 10 Best Middleweight Adventure Bikes On The Market

7 Honda Gold Wing

Starting MSRP: $25,600

2018 Honda Goldwing Action Shot Road 2 riders
Honda Motorcycles

Honda's flagship tourer is the gold standard in the industry. Often imitated, never duplicated. It's in the name, after all. The Gold Wing has been an undefeated champion for a long time. Honda has been tinkering with it, on and off since the 1980s. And what we have now has become the perfect touring vehicle. Yes, it costs $25,600. It's not for the faint of heart. But with what it has to offer, you'll soon forget how much cash you had to fork over.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1833cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, 6-cylinder, 4-stroke

Horsepower

125 horsepower at 5,500 rpm

Torque

130 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm

Curb Weight

804 lbs

Transmission

6 speed

Honestly, we don't even know where to begin. The engine is a 1833cc behemoth. There is Honda's HomeLink that lets you integrate the bike with home devices. It has a hill start assist, for those tricky red light stops. The trunk and cargo space is market-leading. The windshield is electronically adjustable. And the accessory aftermarket is primed to be taken advantage of. This bike is truly the SUV of motorcycles. And we mean that in a good way. It's so comfortable and feature-rich, you won't even realize it when you've finally reached your destination.

6 Triumph Bonneville T100

Starting MSRP: $10,995

Long before there were features like traction control, ABS, TFT displays, adjustable suspensions and rider modes, there were folks all over the world taking their bone-stock Triumph Bonnevilles and having a go of it on longer trips. And perhaps this is why this is our favorite touring motorcycle. There's nothing like hopping on a beautiful standard bike, with a bag on your back and heading out into the world. It's romantic, sure, but Triumph has also made the Bonneville so reliable and comfortable that it's not an unreasonable idea.

Performance Specs

Displacement

900cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, SOHC, parallel twin

Horsepower

64 horsepower 7,400 rpm

Torque

59 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm

Curb Weight

503 lbs

Transmission

5 speed

Although it may look vintage, it is a modern machine through and through. The engine is bulletproof and no longer prone to any of the faulty engineering issues of the 60s and 70s. You may not get any of the fancy stuff like you get on a Ducati, BMW or Kawasaki, but maybe we are better for it. After all, it is the experience of the ride itself that matters. Not the premium features you used along the way. And that's what makes the Triumph Bonneville T100, a deceptively simple touring machine, the best motorcycle for any trip.

Related: Best Touring Bikes Under $20,000

5 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

Starting MSRP: $14,999

2023 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Full
Yamaha

The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT combines sporty performance and touring comfort into one impressive package. With its powerful triple engine and a great package of electronics on board, it offers one of the best ride qualities on the open highway. Its ergonomic design, adjustable windshield, and spacious seating ensure good long-distance comfort.

Performance Specs

Displacement

890cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline 3-cylinder

Horsepower

117 horsepower 10,000 rpm

Torque

68.6 pound-feet at 7,000 rpm

Curb Weight

485 lbs

Transmission

6-speed

The Tracer 9 GT also boasts convenient features like luggage cases and cruise control, making it an ideal choice for riders seeking a reliable motorcycle for touring. At just under $15,000, it is one of the most value-for-money tourers on the market. And not just that, it can easily be capped as the best touring motorcycle for beginners.

4 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited

Starting MSRP: $29,799

An action shot for 2023 Road Glide Limited followed by an Ultra Limited
Harley-Davidson

This one is for those who crave the classic American touring experience, presenting to you the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited - an undisputed icon. This motorcycle embodies the spirit of freedom and adventure with its unmistakable style and its powerful and iconic Milwaukee-Eight engine. It is specifically designed for long-haul journeys, and luxurious amenities are on offer like heated seats, an infotainment system, and ample storage capacity.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1,868cc

Engine Type

Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114

Horsepower

100.5 horsepower 5,020 rpm

Torque

122 pound-feet at 3,000 rpm

Curb Weight

880 lbs

Transmission

6-speed

With its smooth ride and unmistakable Harley-Davidson presence, The Ultra Limited is one of the lesser-talked-about Harleys out there. But it indeed guarantees an unforgettable touring experience. The weight may be the only thing that might hinder you, but get going and the heft almost disappears.

3 Indian Roadmaster

Starting MSRP: $31,499

Brown 2023 Indian Roadmaster cruising up the highway
Photo credit: Indian Motorcycle

What is the best touring motorcycle? While there is no definitive answer, the Indian Roadmaster represents the epitome of luxury as one of the best touring motorcycles with an equivalent price tag. Its timeless design, premium craft skills, and exceptional performance make it a top choice for the comfort-minded. Equipped with another beautiful Thunderstroke mill, the 1890cc engine manages to pump out 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of peak torque.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1,890cc

Engine Type

Thunderstroke Air Cooled V-twin

Horsepower

122 horsepower 5,500 rpm

Torque

128 pound-feet at 3,800rpm

Curb Weight

877 lbs

Transmission

6-speed

With spacious seating, a wealth of storage options, and a host of all modern electronics, the Roadmaster's ride quality is as impressive as its road presence. It is Indian in its skin and bones. And the good thing is that your missus will appreciate the comfort equally.

Related: Best Touring Bikes Under $15,000

2 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

Starting MSRP: $20,299

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
KTM

If you're an adventure enthusiast who craves adrenaline-pumping experiences, there are very few motorcycles that can offer the same level of ride as the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. This beast of a machine seamlessly blends sporty performance with off-road capability, making it a versatile choice for adventurous souls wanting to go long-distance touring.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1301cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, V Twin, LC8, 4-stroke

Horsepower

160 horsepower

Torque

101 pound-feet

Curb Weight

485 lbs

Transmission

6-speed

The 1301cc V-twin engine on the Super Adventure is Super in all sorts - it delivers exhilarating power. Meanwhile, the advanced electronics and suspension system ensure optimal handling and control. With its rugged design, ample ground clearance, and long-travel suspension, the Super Adventure S promises to conquer more than just roads.

1 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S

Starting MSRP: $17,490Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S brings Italian elegance and charm to the world of touring motorcycles. Its classic styling and refined details make it stand out as a symbol of timeless beauty. Powered by a potent 1,040cc V-twin mill, it delivers a smooth ride, capable of 115 horses on the run. Not just that, it offers a comfortable seating position, ample wind protection, and all the necessary hardware for an enjoyable touring experience.

Performance Specs

Displacement

1042cc

Engine Type

Liquid-cooled, Transversal 90° V-twin

Horsepower

115 horsepower 8,700 rpm

Torque

77 pound-feet at 6,750 rpm

Curb Weight

513 lbs

Transmission

6-speed

It strikes a perfect balance between style, performance, and comfort, making it an appealing choice with a grand touch of sophistication. No, it won't be as fast and as powerful as some others on this list, but it is more than worth it for its price point. Guzzi motorcycles do not disappoint that often anyway.