Best Motorcycles For Long Distance

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Riding your bike on the open road is incredible. Riding for an extended time, though, not so much. This is why you need the best motorcycles for long distances.

Some motorcycles offer more comfort than others on long-distance trips. For instance, models like the Honda Gold Wing, Ducati Multistrada 1260, 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, BMW R1250GS and 2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT are ideal for extensive road trips.

It's important to note that not all bikes are ideal for long-distance riding. Some are overly stiff as if they were designed for the racetrack rather than the road. Some don't have the required power, meant solely for city cruising. Therefore, if you're specifically looking for a long-distance ride, finding the right model is going to be crucial.

After riding motorcycles for many years, we know which motorcycles will give you an amazing riding experience and which ones will cause your back to hurt. We've tested different motorcycles on long trips to check their comfort level, power, and maneuverability. Out of all the models, these eight rides have topped the list.

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Honda Gold Wing

A list of touring bikes would be incomplete without mentioning the legendary machine that gave rise to the touring motorcycle class. The Honda Gold Wing, which first debuted in 1975, is mostly about riding in luxury.

With a somewhat high price tag, the Honda Gold Wing is among the larger and most well-equipped bikes, with heated leather seats and grips, multimedia systems, electrically adjustable windshields, cruise control, constructed luggage, and much more.

It has an 1833cc liquid-cooled SOHC engine and a DCT automatic gearbox. The model is regarded as a classic in the tourist class, as it is packed with cutting-edge innovation. It also includes the first industrial manufacturing airbag. It is important to note that fog lights are standard on all Gold Wing Tour versions starting from 2020.

Finally, if you're traveling with a companion, this bike will easily accommodate an additional passenger. The balanced and upright riding position allows riders to effortlessly put in hundreds of kilometers per day without discomfort.

Ducati Multistrada 1260

The Multistrada is Ducati's solution to individuals who want to ride in luxury while still getting ample power. When you first turn the Multi 1260 into a curve, you'll be amazed at how quickly a motorcycle of its stature can move when contrasted to its sportier contemporaries.

It's difficult to think of things that the Multistrada can't do. The snappy feel is good for traversing city streets, while the comfortable seat makes long journeys less tiresome. It boasts the handy self-adjusting windshield, semi-active chassis, ABS, and stability control required for chewing through tarmac and pursuing the skyline as a touring bike.

The Ducati Multistrada is regarded by many as the right mix of sport, touring, and commuter bike available these days. It is smaller, perfect for the open highway as well as driving to work.

The new Multistrada is faster, more adventurous, and the most advanced model with a guidance system, rider-assistance radar station, and an impressive valve clearance check of 60,000 kilometers.

Lastly, the Testastretta DVT 1262 engine of this bike is excellent. The freedom to customize the engine and chassis, as well as the extensive list of technology packed into the Multistrada, make it the pinnacle of all Ducati bikes.

2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide

You can't help but admire Harley's fierce image, but it's the company's capacity to keep innovating that has ensured its survival in an ever-changing environment. The Electra Glide is designed for extended excursions and is ideal for anyone who wants to have fun on the highway while also getting a smooth ride. It is a top-of-the-line bike with saddlebags, fork-mounted covering, GPS, multimedia, and a Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin motor.

The 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard is a superb city ride in terms of ergonomics. The modest seat height complements the pleasantly pulled back bars and forward-placed floorboards. The fork-mounted batwing covering allows for comfortable seating, and the heel-toe shift contributes to the enjoyment.

When you have the Milwaukee-Eight 107 under the hood, you don't have any reason to complain about power. At only 3250 rpm, 111 ft-lbs. of power is delivered to the 16-inch rear wheel, ensuring that speed is always just a throttle away.

The riding position gives you exceptional control over the bike. The motorcycle also performs admirably on motorways, making your journey that much more pleasant. Lastly, chromed wheels finish off the look of this next-generation beast – perfect for the premium rider seeking a little rebelliousness.

BMW R1250GS

The BMW R1250GS is an excellent on-road and off-road motorcycle for you if you often go on long-distance trips on your bike. It's a terrific roomy tourer featuring a remarkable 1254cc air/liquid-cooled 4-stroke straight twin-engine that produces 136hp. It's more maneuverable and speedier than you'd imagine.

Its forerunner, the R1200, was one of the finest riding motorcycles ever manufactured and was BMW's top-selling model for years until it was replaced in 2018 by the R1250GS. The BMW R1200GS's engine established a new standard for huge bore ADV bikes. The water-cooled twin delivers powerful torque with amazing fluidity.

BMW also added more complicated riding modes and varying levels of traction control to the mix. The new engine has pushed things to a whole new level. It has gained roughly 10 horsepower while becoming even quieter thanks to the installation of variable valve speed, sometimes known as Shift Cam.

The Tele-lever suspension is another significant characteristic of the 1200s. Since the 1990s, this suspension has been standard on all R motorcycles, but the 1250 performs admirably better than before. The bike's fully computerized front and back suspension perform hundreds of computations every minute to modify damping and rebounding on the fly. It can even recompense for extra luggage or a passenger in the back seat without the need for manual adjustments.

2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

If you're looking for a reliable bike that won't make you feel tired after a long ride, then the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is worth considering. It is recognized as one of the best sports tourer bikes in the world. This model is built with quality materials, such as titanium inlet nozzles, to ensure a premium feel and long-lasting durability. With a 1301 cc engine and a large fuel tank for fewer pit breaks, you can easily take this ride on long-distance adventures.

Riding on difficult mountain roads and highways will feel like a stroll in the park, thanks to the partially-active hydraulic suspension, fast shifter, and sturdy chassis. It also comes with Bosch's MSC lean-angle-sensitive, electronic cruise control, ABS, hill hold control, handlebar grips, and a slew of other amenities.

The GT, which is based on the raucous KTM 1290 Super Duke, has a 1,301cc V-twin engine and nimble handling, but it also has touring features like cruise control, a changeable windshield, and warming grips for long-haul enjoyment.

With its balanced seating position and list of travelling features like a 6.1-gallon gas tank, overtaking LED headlight, a TFT display from which you can visualize plenty of journey data, communicate with your phone, and use the KTM My Ride feature, this bike really does it all. Unless you're uncomfortable with a 35-inch height adjustment, you'd be foolish not to explore this bike during your next transcontinental trip.

Indian Roadmaster

The Indian Motorcycle Company was the first motorcycle manufacturer in the United States. With just one glance at the Indian Roadmaster, you can see that its moniker isn't a ruse. This supreme touring vehicle's structure and performance work together to create a masterwork of a device.

Because of its charming vintage design, the Indian Roadmaster is a bike that many love riding. With a 1,890cc engine, a plush seat with independent heat settings, a fashionable dash of chrome, and more than 36 gallons of storage space, it's built for long distances. On the seats, there are separate temperature settings for the rider and passengers.

The Roadmaster also comes with a keyless entry system, an adjustable windscreen, power steering, and an interactive media system with GPS. The Thunderstroke 116 engine, which is air-cooled and claims to deliver 126 pound-feet of power at a remarkably low 2,900 rpm, powers all of the Roadmasters.

Overall, it's a large touring motorcycle, possessing the latest tech in sound, trip, and bike data, and GPS, all accessible through the mounted display. If you want a comfortable and powerful bike for your long-distance trips, the Indian Roadmaster is certainly worth considering.

Triumph Tiger Explorer

The Thunderbird, a motorcycle with a 650-cc engine developed by Triumph and responsible for the name's fame, is a bike designed for long-distance riding. From 1955 to 1970, the 650-cc cylinder ride was among the fastest motorbikes you could get.

This adventurous bike has had a significant makeover. Although it appears to be the same as the first Tiger Explorer from 2012, six new variants were produced in 2016. There are three road versions (the XR range) and three off-road versions (the XC range).

The bike now features a redesigned seating position and seat, which makes it more comfy and agile. This bike also has improved steering, braking, and bigger tires, making it seem more stable on the road. The Semi-Active Suspension WP suspension is the most significant enhancement.

The craftsmanship of this motorcycle is excellent, and there are no concerns about its dependability. If you're looking for great touring luxury and on-road capability, this is the bike for you. Even on the base Explorer model, you receive a lot of included features. Five riding modes, aggressive ABS, excellent traction control, and semi-active damping are all included.

An on-board computer and cruise controls, as well as handlebar grips and a warmed seat, are available on the higher-spec versions of this bike. This cutting-edge British machine comes with four pre-programmed riding modes and one rider-programmable option for a more personalized riding experience with assured fun.

Suzuki V-Strom 1000

The V-Strom 1000 is the pinnacle of adventure touring. This motorcycle is powered by a 1037cc 2-cylinder V-twin engine that produces 99 horsepower. It works admirably both on and off the road. The windscreen is designed to provide the rider with optimal ventilation.

Suzuki last updated the V-Strom 1000 in 2014, with an all-new style, a noticeable ADV beak, a stronger, more big motor, a new chassis, Suzuki's traction process control, improved ergonomics, reduced weight, and other changes, all while maintaining the pricing affordable.

Suzuki refined the DL1000's look, gave it a redesigned, 1.9-inch taller windshield, and additional handguards, larger bar-end weights, and a lower engine hood with the newest updates. Improvements to the V-1,037cc Strom's 90-degree V-twin made it Euro 4 compatible, and a modern Bosch five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit allowed for the addition of cornering ABS, dubbed as motion track anti-lock and combined brake system in Suzuki language.

The V-Strom 1000 has a superb traction control system that continuously monitors driving conditions and bike performances and makes modifications as needed. It also has a top, middle, and left luggage case, as well as a 15-liter tank bag that may be used as an extra gear storage.

The adaptability of V-Stroms is what has made them so famous over the years. V-Stroms are jacks-of-all-trades that give more value for money. They may not be the most lightweight or advanced bikes in the adventurous touring market, but they are surely worth spending your hard-earned cash at and will not disappoint you thanks to their premium comfort, generous power, and great maneuverability.