14 Best Touring Motorcycles
Touring motorcycles are designed for long-distance riding, and usually, have larger engines and more comfort features than other types of motorcycles. They often come equipped with saddlebags or storage compartments and have a more upright riding position than sports bikes. Many touring bikes also have windscreens to protect the rider from wind and weather.
Motorcycle touring is a fantastic experience. Day after day of driving hundreds of miles to reach somewhere or nowhere, in particular, maybe a life-changing event. Currently, more bikes designed specifically for touring are on the market than ever before.
Looking for the best touring motorcycle in 2022? Look no further than this list! We’ve compiled the top bikes on the market, perfect for hitting the open road and exploring new horizons. From sleek and sporty to rugged and ready for adventure, there’s a touring motorcycle for everyone on this list. So, whether you’re a seasoned rider or a first-time buyer, you’re sure to find the perfect bike for your needs.
2022 Indian Roadmaster Limited
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The 2022 Indian Roadmaster Limited is a luxurious touring motorcycle that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. This premium bike comes equipped with all the bells and whistles that any discerning rider could want, including heated grips, a premium audio system, and a power-adjustable windscreen. Whether you’re looking to take a cross-country road trip or just cruise around town in style, the Roadmaster Limited is the perfect choice.
Harley-Davidson is the brand most people associate with American V-twin motorcycles, but Indian Motorcycle has been killing it as of late. The Indian Roadmaster is the pinnacle of touring motorcycles, and the Roadmaster Limited is the model to have. For much of 2020, it was the subject of whispered discussions in motorcycle bars and online forums; by 2021, though, it had finally hit the streets.
A 92-horsepower and 126-pound-foot-torque Indian Thunderstoke 116 engine provides the propulsion for the Roadmaster Limited. When you add in the extensive list of standard equipment, the ample amount of storage space, and the exceptionally comfortable seats, you have a touring vehicle that is nearly perfect in every way.
2022 Harley-Davidson Road King
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There can be no such list without include the Harley-Davidson Road King. Many bikers who possess one use it for traveling, as it was intended. They travel the country in style in their vintage-style automobiles. Among motorcycles, the Road King truly reigns supreme. It’s loaded with amenities and makes for a luxurious drive.
There is no finer motorbike than a Harley-Davidson Road King, and it would look great in your garage. I dare you to go an entire day without glancing in its direction at least once. This endearing quality of motorbike travel extends to the open road. It gives off an air of superiority and power that makes you forget you’re even on a motorcycle. Something along the lines of a chrome-plated chariot that charges headlong at the slightest prod. The panniers can hold a lot of your stuff as you ride, and the saddle will keep you at the height of comfort.
The 1,753cc Milwaukee Eight 107 engine provides the bike’s power. The torque output is 111 lb-ft. With its enough power and comfortable traveling features like a wide windscreen and hard luggage, this motorbike is an excellent choice for long trips. There is also a large quantity of complementary items.
2022 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager
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One cannot omit Kawasaki from this group. When it comes to long-distance riding, nothing beats the Vulcan 1700 Voyager, a wonderful touring motorbike with all the elegance of a metric cruiser. The bike has great power, good cargo space, and a spacious seat.
The bike has a 52-degree, 1,700cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, V-twin engine. It has 72.5 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. On the open road, you can relax thanks to the roomy windscreen and fairing, the supportive saddle, and the many convenient technological features (including cruise control, anti-lock brakes, satellite radio, and more). Even if it’s not the most cutting-edge product on the market, it has several quite convenient functions.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager is a touring motorcycle that is built for comfort and long-distance riding. It is equipped with a large windscreen, comfortable seat and plenty of storage space for luggage. The motorcycle is powered by a fuel-efficient engine and has a smooth gearbox that makes it easy to ride. The Voyager is also equipped with a number of safety features, such as ABS brakes and traction control, which make it a safe and reliable touring motorcycle.
2022 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
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I would give the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited significant consideration if I were planning a cross-country journey and had a budget of about $30,000. One of the best Harleys for long-distance travel, it comes equipped with all the bells and whistles a rider could want. It’s essential to me and it should be to you that it’s less expensive than some of the CVO models.
With its massively finned V-twin engine and armchair-like seat, the Harley Davidson Electra Glide hasn’t changed much since it originally came off the Milwaukee assembly line in 1965. With so many major upgrades to this current iteration, including the first liquid-cooled engine on a Harley tourer, Harley is walking a delicate line. The Ultra Limited, fortunately, is not only the most advanced motorcycle in the company’s 110-year history, but also one of the most refined motorcycles in the world….
The bike is powered by a massive Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, which produces an astounding 114 lb-ft of torque. This is the bike for you if you want to eat up the miles with ease while basking in pure, unadulterated, Americana joy.
2022 Yamaha Star Venture
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The Yamaha Star Venture, a member of the company’s Transcontinental Touring range, may appear like it could go head-to-head with Harley’s models, but it really has a more contemporary design. It boasts a huge air-cooled V-twin engine and a ton of extras.
The Star Venture is based on a robust chassis and has modern suspension systems, providing Yamaha’s legendary handling on twisting roads without sacrificing the comfort and straight-line confidence of a high-end tourer. Star Venture’s configurable ergonomics, wind protection, and controls allow it to meet the demands of riders and passengers from the moment they walk into a dealership. The low seat height and standard grip warmers/heated seats provide you peace of mind at every stop.
If we’re talking about powertrains, the Start Venture has an air-cooled, OHV V-Twin engine with 1,854 cc and about 85 horsepower. There isn’t an absurd lot of power available, but if you’re just looking to cruise around at highway speeds, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything. Its 120 lb-ft of torque will also help you get up to speed fast and propel you forward. Generally speaking, it’s a fantastic bicycle.
2022 BMW K 1600 Grand America
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Even while any of BMW’s K 1600 motorcycles would qualify as a “excellent touring motorbike,” the Grand America version is the one to have in my opinion. It’s a motorbike with just the appropriate amounts of sportiness, comfort, and convenience features. Countless miles may be covered in complete comfort thanks to the seat and windscreen/fairing combination.
The BMW motorcycle’s power comes from a six-cylinder inline engine. BMW drivers rave about how smooth the ride is, and I can’t say I blame them. A positive evaluation is warranted. You’ll never be short of power thanks to the 1,649cc engine’s 160 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque. It’s a large machine, but the 29.5-inch seat height makes it rather easy to get in and off of.
2022 Indian Pursuit
The brand-new Indian Pursuit is an attempt to compete with the best luxury tourers on the market. It is a formidable machine propelled by Indian’s famous 1,768cc PowerPlus V-twin motor. The Pursuit has a lot of potential thanks to its 120 hp and 128 lb-ft of peak torque. The Pursuit, like the more well-known Indian Challenger upon which it is based, is built with performance in mind.
The high degree of technology included in the Pursuit makes it a fantastic touring vehicle. While it isn’t the lightest motorcycle in its class, the Indian is closer to the average weight thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame, which incorporates the 111′′ engine as a stressed member. The suspension kit, which includes an electronically adjustable fox mono-shock and a 43mm upside-down front fork, is sportier than I had anticipated. The touch screen interface makes it simple to make changes to the suspension. Four-piston Brembo brakes with anti-lock braking for swerving help bring this huge touring bike to a stop.
The Pursuit from Indian has every luxury you could want, from heated seats and a power windshield to a robust 200-watt sound system with Apple Carplay.
2022 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited
The 2022 CVO Road Glide Limited is, without a doubt, the pinnacle of Harley Davidson’s product line. The pinnacle of Harley-Davidson production.
The 117-inch Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine it uses generates 126 ft-lb of torque and gives out the bike’s signature throbbing pulse. Harley has always been willing to let the competition battle it out in the specs for top horsepower and marginal gains in sportiness, but this bike is the complete antithesis of that strategy. It’s all about eating up the miles on the CVO Road Glide Limited in complete luxury.
The CVO models are exclusive in both appearance and functionality. In terms of paintwork, no other manufacturer comes close to a CVO Harley Davidson. Dante’s Red Fade is the name given to this stunning smoldering paint work for 2022, and I can’t even begin to describe how stunning it is.
2022 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT
Old King Is Dead, Long Live The King! That sums up the general consensus on the Honda Gold Wing, which is that it is the pinnacle of superb touring motorcycles.
Over the course of two decades, Honda’s 1833cc six-cylinder engine has been the beating heart of the Gold Wing, providing 126 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque. Those specs may not look all that special, but when you include in the automated 7-speed transmission, you have a Touring bike unlike any other. Many people have made the irrelevant claim that they would never ride a motorcycle without a clutch, but then they get a Wing and change their minds. It has won over many people who were previously opposed to riding manually.
Again, Honda appears to be at the forefront of innovation when it comes to features, pioneering rider aids that are both practical and luxurious. The inclusion of an airbag is a crucial safety component that I am surprised has not become much more commonplace. Honda was first to market with this innovation, and its touring motorcycles are still the only ones to provide such cutting-edge safety features.
Even if the Wing is no longer the most advanced motorcycle in terms of each individual standard, the Goldwing still manages to outperform its competitors when all of the components are combined. When it comes to making a top-notch touring motorcycle, Honda is unrivaled.
2022 BMW R 18 Transcontinental
I don’t know how BMW designers did it, but they managed to make two touring bikes that are completely different from one other yet equally awesome.
BMW’s R18 Transcontinental is a shining example of tasteful retro-contemporary design. BMW has equipped the hulking 1802cc Boxer engine on show between your knees with touring equipment to ensure your every want is catered to while you clock up the kilometres. The beautiful, streamlined style originates in the broad front fender and the impressive front end with dual auxiliary headlights. The very modern appearance is completed with the 6.3-gallon tank, wind deflectors, flooring, and top case with backrest for the passenger.
See? This is the kind of cool, contemporary throwback I’m talking about. A gorgeous modern 10.25″ TFT display, showing everything from map navigation to car statistics and your music, has been installed beneath a very conventional set of gauges.
The R18 Transcontinental has a ton of great features and a healthy 116 lb-ft of torque, but nothing compares to the eye candy provided by the car’s available Option 719 Galaxy Dust Metallic/Titan Silver 2 Metallic color.
2022 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited
A new topic now. Okay, it’s just a tiny bit unique, the Can-Am Spyder! I have spoken at length about how Can-bikes Am’s have opened up the world of motorcycling to those who would not have been able to ride a regular two-wheeler before, as well as those who just adore the exhilarating sensation of speed and freedom that the Spyder provides.
Like the rest of the Spyder line, the RT Limited is powered by a 1,330cc Rotax ACE triple-cylinder engine built in Europe. It has a sophisticated stability control, traction control, dynamic power steering, and anti-lock brake system (ABS), and it generates a total of 115 hp and 96 lb-ft of torque.
Touring footboards, an electrically adjustable windscreen, high-quality LED headlamps, a six-speaker sound system, and the BRP Connect smartphone app are a few more unique features.
2022 BMW R 1250 RT
It’s alright if purists disagree with this list. Where to put this is a matter of some debate. Despite its name, the 2022 BMW R1250 RT is not just a typical touring motorbike. We’re adding it anyhow because it’s been so recently upgraded and is such a fantastic option for long-distance road riding. Whether you think it should be here or not, the 2022 BMW R1250 RT is more than capable of handling whatever comes its way.
The R1250 RT’s 1,254cc engine uses BMW’s famous boxer-twin design to provide an impressive 136 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, all in a touring motorcycle that can only be defined as sporty. Despite the car’s remarkable performance, we believe it belongs more in the touring sector than the sports touring segment because of the number of standard features.
The BMW has everything you need for a stress-free cross-country trip: cruise control, blind spot monitoring, hill start control, a high windshield, a front fairing, and integrated hard luggage. Lucky for you, the edges are free territory too.
2022 Yamaha FJR 1300
Silky smooth 1298cc 16-valve inline 4-cylinder with the potential to produce 141 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque. The high acceleration and low fuel consumption at highway speeds are made possible by the six-speed transmission. Touring is best accomplished by a vehicle with a shaft drive and a long maintenance interval.
The Yamaha FJR 1300 is another excellent sport tourer that will surprise even those riders who claim they would only ever ride a sport bike. Try again, you fools. The FJR gives you the thrill of a sport bike while providing maximum comfort for extended rides.
To avoid seeming like you’re riding a tourer, the mirrors and luggage mounts on this bike fold away.
Victory Cross Country Tour
Victory, another major player in this field, has released the Cross Country Tour, a motorcycle designed for those who enjoy large, customizable motorcycles that can be ridden across the entire United States and beyond.
Don’t be fooled by the bike’s retro appearance; it’s fully equipped with modern conveniences like cruise control and anti-lock brakes for those extended rides. There is more than enough power in the engine to get you where you’re going.
Frequently Asked Questions About Touring Bikes
What makes a motorcycle a touring?
A touring motorcycle is a motorcycle designed for long-distance travel. Touring motorcycles are usually larger and heavier than other types of motorcycles, and they have features that make them more comfortable for long rides, such as comfortable seats, fairings to protect the rider from the wind, and luggage racks.
What is the difference between cruiser and touring motorcycles?
Cruiser motorcycles are generally designed for relaxed, comfortable riding, while touring motorcycles are designed for long-distance travel. Cruisers typically have lower seats and handlebars, and they may not have fairings or windscreens. Touring motorcycles usually have higher seats and taller windscreens, and they often come equipped with luggage racks and other storage options.
What is a good beginner touring motorcycle?
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a beginner touring motorcycle. Firstly, the engine size should be considered. A smaller engine will be easier to handle for a beginner, and will also be more fuel efficient. Secondly, the weight of the motorcycle should be considered. A lighter motorcycle will be easier to maneuver, and will also be more fuel efficient. Finally, the price of the motorcycle should be considered. A cheaper motorcycle will be more affordable, and will also be easier to sell if you decide to upgrade to a larger motorcycle in the future.
