Touring bikes have big engines, innovative tech, and are loaded with equipment and creature comforts, so it’s no surprise that they come with hefty price tags to match.
These motorcycles certainly aren’t made for penny pinchers and bargain hunters, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth the money.
The ten following bikes may cost more than some cars, but those who enjoy long-distance rides will still say they’re worth it.
Honda GL1800 Gold Wing — $24,700 Base MSRP
For decades, Honda’s Gold Wing has been the standard other touring bikes are measured against. Like its predecessors, the current ‘Wing is powered by a boxer engine, in this case, a 1,833cc six-cylinder unit.
The Gold Wing is big and stylish, and stuffed to the gills with creature comforts, luxuries, gadgets, and tech. If you dream of crossing a continent on a two-wheeler, few, if any, bikes can match the Gold Wing.
Indian Roadmaster Limited — $33,000 Base MSRP
Indian’s Roadmaster Limited is one of the best touring bikes on the market. It has a nice, plush seat that’s comfortable for hours on end, individual heat controls, an electronically adjustable windshield, Bluetooth, navigation, sound system, and plenty of other gadgets.
Thanks to its air-cooled Thunderstroke 116 engine, it has plenty of power for overtaking slower traffic. With 36 gallons of waterproof storage, there’s no need to worry about the luggage if you have to ride in the rain.
BMW R18 Transcontinental — $24,000 Base MSRP
The BMW R18 Transcontinental offers retro design, but with all the modern equipment we’ve come to expect from the large touring bike segment — including a Marshall sound system and large 10.25-inch TFT display. Those looking to individualize their BMW R18 can pick and choose between a vast selection of optional extras from BMW’s massive parts catalog.
BMW went with a large boxer engine with a whopping 1,802cc displacement. With 91 hp and 116.5 lb-ft of torque, it’s no slouch.
BMW K 1600 GT — $24,300 Base MSRP
The BMW K 1600 GT is one of the sportiest large touring motorcycles, making it much more fun in the twisty sections than the Honda Gold Wing or big Harleys.
Nestled in the K 1600 GT’s frame is a large 1,649cc inline-six engine that churns out 160 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. This model also has a comfortable saddle, advanced suspension, and several ride modes. It could very well be the perfect companion for riding from coast to coast. New, the base model costs just over $24,000, but once you start adding optional extras, it can soon be $10k more.
Yamaha FJR1300ES — $18,300 Base MSRP
Yamaha’s FJR1300ES is the lowest-priced bike on this list, but with a base MSRP of more than $18,000, it’s not exactly cheap. Avid road touring enthusiasts will find a lot to love here, though, as it’s an excellent sports tourer that packs a decent punch, and its adjustable ergonomics make it possible to ride all day without discomfort.
With a 1,298cc engine that punches out 142 hp and 102 lb-ft of torque, the FJR1300ES is a swift highway cruiser. The current model has been around for years, and while it is a bit long in the tooth, that also means Yamaha should’ve ironed out any issues by now, and it’s also a testament to how capable the FJR1300 really is.
Harley-Davidson CVO Pan America — $28,399 Base MSRP
The Harley-Davidson Pan America is the American company’s first model in the adventure bike segment, and it’s a home run. Nestled in its frame, we find a 1250 Revolution Max engine churning out 150 hp and 95 lb-ft of torque.
H-D has given its adventure bike the full Custom Vehicle Operations treatment, meaning it has everything you’ll need to ride around the world, including aluminum cases, full RDRS functionality and infotainment equipment, semi-active, electronic fork-damping control, and Adaptive Ride Height.
Indian Pursuit Dark Horse — $36,000 Base MSRP
The Indian Pursuit Dark Horse is a traditional American touring machine. It’s big, heavy, powerful, and looks mean. When we say it’s heavy, we mean it, as the Indian has a wet weight of 912 lbs — this is not a touring bike for beginners. It still offers impressive handling with an experienced rider in the saddle, though.
The Indian’s liquid-cooled 108 cu-in V-twin engine produces 122hp and 128 lb-ft of torque, the tank holds enough fuel to easily cover 200 miles between full-ups, and the three hard cases can store 5.6 cubic feet of stuff.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited — $32,500 Base MSRP
Mention Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles, and chances are people think of the Ultra Limited with its iconic Batwing fairing. This is the epitome of American touring motorcycles, and comes loaded with features, such as sat-nav support, infotainment, full touring luggage, etc., to justify its price tag.
Underneath the six-gallon tank, there’s a twin-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine pumping out 93 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. If you’re in the market for an American touring machine that offers enough power and luggage space for two-up riding, check out the Ultra Limited.
Ducati Multistrada V4 — $27,200 Base MSRP
We love the Ducati Multistrada V4! This beast is part adventure bike, part superbike, and combining the two makes it pure awesomeness! In the Multistrada V4 S and Pikes Peak models, we find a 1,158cc V4 engine producing 170 hp and 92 lb-ft of torque. The $39,000 RS model, on the other hand, uses the 1,103cc V4 from the Panigale with a whopping 180 hp.
All the Multistrada V4 versions are as practical as any other touring bike, feature all the tech and gadgets you’ll ever need, and they’re loaded with high-end componentry.
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE — $29,100 Base MSRP
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE is an absolute beast of a touring motorcycle. Underneath the fairings, there’s a supercharged 998cc engine producing 200 hp and over 100 lb-ft of torque, and the only ways you can cross a continent faster is by private jet or teleportation.
It’s not some stripped-down, bare-bones sports bike, either, as it has a large windscreen, comfortable seat, heated grips, LED cornering lights, and saddlebags.
