For motorcyclists, nothing beats exploring the world on two wheels. For such duties, touring motorcycles are the best, as long as you plan to stay on tarmac. These feature comfortable ergonomics, wind protection, and, sometimes, even storage. Spend a bit more, and they'll also spoil you with features like adaptive cruise control, an infotainment system, and much more.
Such a comfort-first character often makes these tourers too relaxed, and, for some motorcyclists, not fun enough. However, there are some excellent outliers, which manage to balance their long-distance comfort with a performance edge. And the best part is that they come in various flavors, whether it's gallops of torque, screaming top-end rush, or track-ready performance. Here are ten such touring motorcycles with an edge.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Kawasaki, Indian Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad, etc. The models are listed based on their power outputs, from lowest to highest.
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
Power Output: 115 HP @ 4,500 RPM
Your Grand American Tourer can be special, high-performance, and a rolling work of art, and the CVO Street Glide proves that. It's built on the comfortable Harley-Davidson Street Glide, adding a more powerful Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine with variable valve timing to suit different riding styles. It also gets a high-performance audio system, heated grips, and premium seating for the long haul. All of this is wrapped up in exclusive paintwork, which gives the bike a bespoke, custom feel. Yes, it's expensive, but for someone looking for a high-performance bagger for the long haul, it can be a terrific choice.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 V-twin
Displacement
1,982.83cc
Frame Type
Mild steel tubular frame
Torque Output
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM
Seat Height
26.7 in.
Curb Weight
838 LBS
Yamaha Tracer 9
Power Output: 117 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Few tourers balance sporty performance and long-distance comfort quite like the Tracer 9, especially at this price point. Everything on the bike is designed with balance in mind, which makes it an excellent do-it-all tourer. Take the CP3 engine, for instance, which offers smooth mid-range power as well as high-end rush. The bike's also compact, which should give it naked bike-like agility. Meanwhile, long-distance comfort is covered by upright ergonomics and saddlebags. It's the tourer to pick if you want to go fast and go long without breaking your bank.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
CP3 inline-triple
Displacement
890cc
Frame Type
Diamond frame
Torque Output
68.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
Seat Height
33.3 or 33.9 in.
Curb Weight
483 LBS
Honda Gold Wing 50th Anniversary
Power Output: 124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM
The Honda Gold Wing is the gold standard when it comes to tourers, but don't mistake this for a gentle giant. Yes, the flat-six engine is known for its smooth power delivery, and the seats are nothing short of a couch, but it can still surprise you with its performance. The flat-six engine is powerful, producing peak power at 5,500 RPM and torque at 4,500 RPM, making for a quick off-the-line experience. Even the handling, thanks to its radical wishbone suspension and lightweight frame, is said to be deceptively light. Adding to its edge are a range of advanced features, including an infotainment system, electronic windscreen, and plenty of rider aids.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Flat six
Displacement
1,833cc
Frame Type
Aluminum die-cast twin-spar
Torque Output
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM
Seat Height
29.3 in.
Curb Weight
866 LBS
Indian Challenger Elite
Power Output: 126 HP
When you combine bagger luxury with power cruiser performance, the Indian Challenger Elite is what you get. The luxury side of it is taken care of by its comfortable saddle, high-end audio system, and an array of touring-ready features. On the other hand, its immense torque, Fox rear suspension with electronic adjustability, and Brembo brakes give it a power cruiser attitude. Look closely, and you'll also notice excellent attention to detail, especially with the shattered glass particles in the paint and decals. It's an elite motorcycle in terms of both price and road presence.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
PowerPlus 112 v-twin
Displacement
1,834cc
Torque Output
133 LB-FT @ 3,600 RPM
Seat Height
26.5 in.
Curb Weight
828 LBS
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Power Output: 127 HP @ 4,900 RPM
The CVO Road Glide RR is the ultimate dream, but it's not the most sensible option out there. Instead, the CVO Road Glide ST makes more sense. It costs less than half of the flagship bagger and won't give your bank account a panic attack if you tip it over. It even retains the RR's track-ready charm, including a powerful engine, premium underpinnings, a dashing King of Baggers-inspired paint job, and forged carbon bits. It pairs that with the Road Glide's long-distance comfort and composure. In short, it's the best practical choice when you're looking for a grand American tourer with track-ready performance.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output V-twin
Displacement
1,982.83cc
Frame Type
Mild steel tubular frame
Torque Output
145 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM
Seat Height
26.7 in.
Curb Weight
838 LBS
BMW R 1300 RT
Power Output: 145 HP @ 7,750 RPM
The BMW R 1300 RT is the new kid on the block, and it promises to be a lot more than what its price tag and fugly looks would suggest. It shares its boxer engine with the globe-trotting R 1300 GS, so you know it's suitable for long-distance travel. With nearly 150 horsepower on tap, it's no slouch either. The adaptive chassis and Dynamic ESA electronic suspension also make it ready for everything on the road, from relaxed highway touring to canyon carving. Add to that an infotainment system with speakers, heated grips, and radar, and you have a bike that's hard to ignore.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Boxer-twin
Displacement
1,300cc
Frame Type
Two-part frame
Torque Output
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM
Seat Height
32.2 or 33 in.
Curb Weight
584 LBS
Top Speed
Over 120 MPH
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Power Output: 150 HP
Keep going up the performance-plus-comfort ladder, and you'll quickly come across tourers that share their engines with superbikes, starting with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+. This sports tourer undercuts most of its competition and features a Gixxer-derived inline-four engine and main frame. This quick and agile package is wrapped up in a sharp design with a tall windscreen, upright ergonomics, and lockable side cases as standard. The result is a total bang-for-your-buck tourer that can outrun most tourers and even handle a bit of serious cornering on weekends.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Inline-four
Displacement
999cc
Frame Type
Twin-spar aluminum
Torque Output
79.7 LB-FT
Seat Height
31.9 in.
Curb Weight
498 LBS
Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
Power Output: 180 HP @ 12,250 RPM
As the flagship Multisrada, the V4 RS features everything you'd expect from it, including Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 electronic suspension, radar-based cruise control, and cross-country comfort. But what makes the Multistrada V4 RS truly special is its Panigale-derived Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, paired with a titanium subframe, Marchesini wheels, and carbon fiber bits everywhere. It even borrows the RS badge from Audi's line of performance cars. So, not only can this tourer leave behind most vehicles on the road, it can run laps with superbikes on a racetrack.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Ducati Desmosedici Stradale V4
Displacement
1,103cc
Frame Type
Aluminum monocoque frame
Torque Output
87 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM
Seat Height
33.1 to 33.9 in.
Curb Weight
496 LBS
BMW M 1000 XR
Power Output: 201 HP @ 12,750 RPM
Think of the M 1000 XR as a superbike in sports tourer clothing. Underneath its touring bodywork and comfortable ergonomics hides a wild side. The S1000RR-derived inline-four engine produces over 200 horsepower, which is more than most sports bikes, and it gets a complete M treatment. It's a wild machine that pushes the envelope of performance to the next level. And if you're serious about beating superbikes, BMW also offers an M Competition Package that adds carbon wheels, adjustable pegs, and MGPS Laptrigger. With this bike, not only can you explore the country on two wheels, but you can also race on tracks that come along the way.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Inline-four
Displacement
999cc
Frame Type
Bridge-type frame
Torque Output
83 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM
Seat Height
33.4 in.
Curb Weight
492 LBS
Top Speed
Over 170 MPH
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Power Output: 207 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Some motorcycles make you raise an eyebrow and ask, "Why?" Others go a step further and answer back with, "Why not?" That's what the Ninja H2 SX SE does. It stands as the practical alternative to the Ninja H2, the world's fastest production motorcycle. It's a supercharged rocket with enough performance to scare even some experienced riders. And when the mood strikes, electronic rider aids and semi-active electronic suspension soften the bike up for touring. This dual personality isn't the only impressive thing about it; Kawasaki has loaded the bike up with nearly all the rider aids you can think of, along with self-healing paint, auto high-beam headlights, and more.
Performance Specs
Engine Type
Inline-four, supercharged
Displacement
998cc
Frame Type
Trellis, high-tensile steel
Torque Output
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM