10 Touring Machines That Combine Luxury Features With Everyday Rideability

Touring bikes are not usually limited by weight restrictions that other segments adhere to, and because of this level of flexibility, any manner of features can be included. Naturally, the more sophisticated technology you add to a platform, the more the price will go up, along with the weight. The reality of the matter is, we don’t all need every new motorcycle feature under the sun.

If you are going to be using a bike every day as a commuter, lugging around a big heavy bike is certainly possible, but far from ideal. With that in mind, we have only included bikes that weigh less than 500 pounds. Even though these bikes are relatively light for tourers – they still come with all the must-have modern features.

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

MSRP: $20,499

Guy Pickrell / TopSpeed

The great thing about using a sporty hypernaked as a base, is that you start with a pretty light platform. KTM then proceeded to add wind protection, heated grips, cruise control and semi-active suspension to the “beast.” By all accounts, this is a sophisticated, high-end sport tourer, just with the wildest of split personalities. If you are looking at buying one of these bikes, it is worth checking out the used market, because there are certainly some bargains to be had.

Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

Suzuki

Annoyingly, the weight figure indicated is without the luggage, but in some ways, that evens the playing field because most of the competition leaves that on the options list. The platform has been around for over 20 years now, but Suzuki certainly breathed new life into it by adding proper wind protection and a host of modern features. With 150 horsepower and all those modern electronics, this offers better value than just about any other tourer.

Specifications

Yamaha Tracer 9

MSRP: $12,599

Yamaha

Yamaha put the CP3 engine in pretty much every kind of motorcycle now, and while it generally works well, the Tracer 9 is arguably the most ambitious effort. Triples are inherently unbalanced engines, and while Yamaha have obviously taken measures to mitigate unwanted vibrations, they will be there, so a test ride is a must. For riders who don’t notice, or care about the vibrations, everything including luggage comes as standard here.

Specifications

Triumph Tiger Sport 800

MSRP: $12,495

Triumph

Just like the CP3, some riders won’t like the vibrations any triple will make, but just like the aforementioned Yamaha, the rest of the bike more than makes up for that quirk. The common theme with all the other bikes on this list is that they are multi-platform bikes, or have been modified into a tourer. This is the exception. Brand new, and built from the ground up to be a touring machine.

Specifications

BMW F 900 XR

MSRP: $11,995

BMW

In the motorcycle world, the BMW name certainly carries the weight of expectation with it. With the old 900, that weight was too much to bear, and the platform was heavily criticized for not offering enough value at this highly competitive end of the market. The increase in power and decrease in weight are only marginal, but together they make a difference. The quality has always been there and at this price it is certainly in the conversation.

Specifications

Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS

MSRP: $10,099

Kawasaki

The Versys 650 LT proves beyond all reasonable doubt that bigger is not better. This is such a versatile motorcycle, and while it is certainly pricey for a 650 middleweight, it offers the same features you will find on significantly more expensive bikes – including luggage. Its parallel-twin may not be the most engaging, or the most powerful, but it is borderline bulletproof.

Specifications

Triumph Tiger Sport 660

MSRP: $9,695

Triumph

The 800 version of the Tiger Sport exists for those that demand more power, but if you are after a bike that will double up as a commuter, this is arguably the better bet. The old Daytona 675 engine has been reworked and optimized for midrange performance. That makes this a highly effective bike for real-world touring when you are governed by things like speed limits and other motorists.

Specifications

Honda NC750X

MSRP: $9,499

Honda

Honda seems to think that simply adding an “X” to its name somehow makes this an adventure bike. It might be styled that way, but it has much more in common with a maxi-scooter, because the NC750X shares its platform with the X-ADV. This is not a bad thing at all, because the DCT works a treat for both touring and city commuting, and the added built-in storage makes it exceptionally practical.

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BMW C 400 GT

MSRP: $8,445

BMW

Maxi-scooters are some of the most underrated motorcycles in the industry. Always good, never acknowledged. BMW is one of the few manufacturers still brave enough to offer one – Honda went to great lengths to try and convince everyone that the NC750X isn’t one – and it is a fantastic, high-spec, premium offering. Realistically speaking, most of us will end up accumulating more miles commuting than touring and that is precisely where this bike will shine.

Specifications

Moto Morini Calibro 700 Bagger

MSRP: $6,799

Moto Morini

You could argue that there are several lightweight cruisers that could be outfitted as baggers, this however, is the only one that comes from the factory like this. Although Chinese, its engine is a variant of the old Versys/Ninja 650 engine, and will be no less mechanically reliable. The build quality of the rest of the bike is acceptable at this price point, but nonetheless something you need to test and see if you are willing to tolerate.

Specifications