When it comes to traveling on a motorcycle, there is no shortage of options. From entry-level ADVs all the way up to full-dress touring bikes, there is something out there for everyone. The only limiting factor is budget. Some full-dress tourers can cost in excess of $50k, which is a lot of money for a leisure vehicle.
Those bikes can be a little too expensive for their own good, and even though owners will keep them for a long time, they won’t be ridden all that often. The bikes riders tend to keep and ride are generally more affordable to both own and maintain. While there are a few high-end bikes that remain popular, there are also a couple of bikes that can be had for around $10k. Finally, we’ve included one of the best ADV-tourers as well.
Honda Gold Wing Tour Automatic DCT
MSRP: $30,500
Honda Powersports
The Gold Wing once held an enviable reliability record, but it has actually been the subject of a few recalls in the last few years. The fact that owners still swear by their bikes goes a long way to illustrate just how much they love them. Even though they are pretty expensive, you do get what you pay for.
Honda Powersports
In terms of overall rider and passenger comfort, few bikes come close to this full-dress tourer. It also offers one of the smoothest engines in the motorcycle industry. While you can still opt for the manual, the DCT makes the most sense here in a long-haul tourer.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
MSRP: $24,999
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson has an extensive touring lineup, but the fact that this is the most affordable bike in the range only serves to underscore just how expensive things can get. With the Street Glide, you certainly do get your money’s worth. It offers a potent air-cooled V-twin, a modern electronics package, and a set of well-integrated saddlebags all as standard fare.
Harley-Davidson
All-day comfort is a given thanks to a combination of its relaxed, upright riding position, a well-padded seat, and floorboards. But, the characterful nature of its trademark V-twin won’t necessarily appeal to everyone. If you are after an American bagger, that is just part of the deal.
2024 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
MSRP: $20,499
KTM
There will be cynics out there who will suggest the main reason owners hold onto the Super Duke GT is because of how poor the resale value is. While this fact is worth keeping in mind before you spend over $20k on a motorcycle that depreciates rather quickly, it certainly is not the only reason. These bikes are just incredibly fun to ride.
KTM
It offers an impressive list of features and is perfectly capable of cruising down the highway at legal speeds. But, when the mood arises, it will transform into “The Beast” we all know and love at the flick of the wrist. In reality, this is just a hooligan wearing a business suit. To the right buyer/hooligan, this still offers impressive value, no matter how quickly it depreciates. Until the new 1390 arrives, this is one of the finest V-twin sport-tourers for you.
2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT
MSRP: $19,499
Kawasaki
Any bike that is used as a police bike simply needs to be reliable and fast. Over the years, the big Versys has proven to be exactly that, as well as incredibly comfortable, even when riding with a passenger. The only problem is that it is priced rather awkwardly.
Kawasaki
For around the same money, you could get the base model Multistrada V4, or V2 S (which is actually more comparable). You would also be saying no to a certain BMW (see below) that dominates this class. Yet, riders who own them love them. The electronic suspension available as standard in the US plays a key role here.
BMW S 1000 XR
MSRP: $18,825
BMW
So, the first thing that needs to be discussed is the pricing. On the face of it, this looks like a screaming deal, but with BMW there is quite literally always a catch. The base model technically only comes in black, so any color other than that will cost extra.
BMW
You do get the 170 horsepower inline-four and electronic suspension as standard fare. But the quickshifter and cruise control remain locked behind a paywall. Even so, the popularity of the model only serves to underscore that even with all these added expenses, the bike is still worth it.
2024 Yamaha FJR1300 ES
MSRP: $18,299
Yamaha
As it stands, the FJR1300 ES has officially been discontinued. You can, however, still buy a brand new 2024 model while stocks last. Over the years, it evolved into one of the best sport touring bikes on the market, and while dated, it is still well worth its asking price.
Yamaha
The old LCD is a bit of a giveaway, but you still get electronic suspension, color-coded hard cases, and fantastic wind protection. There are few better long-distance tourers for the money, but with it being in production for so long, it is worth looking at the used market. The only potential failure point is the electronic suspension, so a test ride would be essential.
Yamaha Tracer 9
MSRP: $12,599
Yamaha Motorsports
Out of all the middleweight tourers, the Tracer 9 stands apart thanks largely to its impressive CP3 engine, and the simple fact that its saddlebags come as standard. Pretty much all the other bikes competing in this space leave them off in an effort to bring the price down. All the other tech features that have become a staple are also present, but it is not perfect.
Yamaha Motorsports
Any triple will have some form of vibration higher up in the rev range. Unfortunately, with the CP3, you will feel that at highway speed. For some riders, this will be a dealbreaker, and others won’t even notice it.
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
MSRP: $10,445
Triumph Motorcycles
Just like the aforementioned Yamaha, there will be some level of vibration here thanks to its triple, and a test ride is essential. Other than that, the value proposition here is pretty easy for anyone to see. The price has gone up this year.
Triumph Motorcycles
But the bike is now more powerful, making the same 95 horsepower as the other 660s in the lineup. Over the course, the Tiger Sport 660 has won over several fans over the years, and has proven to be reliable. In a market where most manufacturers have shifted to parallel-twins, its triple really is the key point of difference. But it is still very hard to ignore its main rival.
Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS
MSRP: $10,399
Kawasaki
While down on power compared to the Triumph, it is about as proven as any motorcycle currently on the market. The Versys 650 owned this light-duty touring space for years. Even though it is often criticized for being a little dull, it still packs heaps of value.
Kawasaki
Everything you need is already there, from hard cases to smartphone connectivity. It is ready to go straight from the factory, for a very reasonable price. What we love about it is the fact that it proves that you simply don’t need a big, expensive touring bike to travel.
Offbeat Recommendation: Ducati Multistrada V4 S
MSRP: $29,995
Ducati
Not long ago, the mere suggestion of crossing continents on a Ducati would have been laughed off. The latest Multistrada hasn’t just proven that it is possible; it has also proven that there are few better sport touring bikes on the market to do exactly that. With 170 horsepower at your disposal, this is a genuine high-performance machine.
Ducati
Since the Granturismo V4 went into production some years ago, it has quietly proven that a high-performance Italian motorcycle engine can indeed be reliable. With no desmo service to worry about, it is also marginally cheaper to run. This is in relative terms, because this is still a luxury motorcycle, after all.
Sources: Various manufacturer websites
