10 Touring Motorcycles So Luxurious, Aftermarket Changes Seem Pointless

As long as there have been motorcycles, people have used them to tour the world. But we’ve come a long way since those early days of bicycle frames, tiny motors, and little to no suspension. Today, even the cheapest motorcycle you can buy would be a technological wonder to our ancestors.

But some modern motorcycles are built with more luxuries than others. And that’s even more true when it comes to bikes that are especially made for long hauls, sport-touring, and adventure riding. Manufacturers, from BMW to Yamaha, cram so many fancy comfort features into these machines, that the aftermarket becomes almost completely unnecessary. And to help our readers decide which luxurious tourer is best for them, we’ve rated this list by price, using our proven methodologies.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including motorcyclenews.com and webbikeworld.com.

10 Yamaha FJR1300ES

MSRP: $18,299

The Yamaha FJR1300ES is about as “dad bike” as it gets. It is a nerdy hunk of sport-touring metal, that also happens to have some of Yamaha’s best technology in it. And while it’s not meant to impress the local bar or coffee shop crowd, it is tailor-made for long distance cruising.

Yamaha loaded it with premium features. The engine is a muscular in-line four. There’s cruise control, traction control, and adjustable engine mapping. The lights are angle-sensitive. And the ergonomics are adjustable to suit the rider and their passenger, with all-day comfort seats, movable windscreen, and integrated hard luggage.

Engine Specifications

Source: webbbikeworld.com

Model Highlights

• Lean angle-sensitive LED lights
• 6.6 gallon fuel tank
• Integrated hard luggage system
• Adjustable windscreen
• Shaft drive with little to no maintenance

9 BMW R 1300 GS

MSRP: $18,895

The other side of “dad bike” spectrum features the newly redesigned BMW R 1300 GS. And while BMW likes to tout its off-road prowess in their marketing materials, it knows full well that the majority of riders will most likely be using this bike on pavement.

As such, BMW has made sure that the newest GS is full of premium features for long distance touring. There’s a reason why the GS is a best-selling motorcycle, all over the world. And with standard features like heated grips, a compartment for your smartphone (with usb charger), keyless ride, and dynamic cruise control, it’s easy to see why. It also helps that if you do find yourself at the end of a paved road, the R 1300 GS will feel just as at home on gravel or dirt.

Engine Specifications

Source: BMW

Model Highlights

• Premium electronic rider aids (hill start, dynamic brakes, tire pressure monitor)
• Hand protectors with integrated turn signals
• Heated grips
• Optional height control and heated seats

8 Kawasaki VERSYS 1000 SE LT+

MSRP: $18,899

Sport-touring seems to be on the rise as of late, as manufacturers slowly begin to reintroduce various sporty long-distance options to the market. But Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 has been around for over a decade now. And the SE LT+ can be considered its ultimate form.

Brimming with Kawasaki tech, this tourer is comfortable, powerful, and fast. Along with cruise control, it also comes standard with a quickshifter, power modes, smarphone connectivity, and cornering lights. Looking like a comfortable sports bike, the Versys 1000 SE LT+ should be the perfect choice if you’re looking for days upon days of excitement.

Engine Specifications

Source: motorcyclenews.com

Model Highlights

• Assist and slipper clutch
• Cruise control
• Fuel economy assistance mode
• Fully adjustable suspension

7 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager

MSRP: $19,799

Fans of Kawasaki who don’t particularly gravitate to sport-touring bikes, can still have a top-notch touring option in the form of the Vulcan 1700 Voyager. Modeled after classic American cruisers from the likes of Harley-Davidson and Indian, the Vulcan is an arguably better looking bike, than most of its peers.

When it comes to features, it certainly has plenty. The passenger seat is a luxurious and comfortable place to view the sights from. And the luxury doesn’t stop there, as the Vulcan has dual-air-assisted shocks, audio system, hard luggage, and cruise control. If the idea of “cruiser heritage” isn’t as important to you, and all you want is a handsome, premium bagger, then the Voyager definitely ticks all the right boxes.

Engine Specifications

Source: motorcyclenews.com

Model Highlights

• Powerful V-twin engine
• Handsome classic styling
• Convenient hard luggage
• Comprehensive cockpit gauges

6 Honda Gold Wing Tour

MSRP: $28,700

Right smack in the middle of the pack is perhaps the luxury motorcycle we most associate with touring. Honda dreamed up this bike back in the 1970s and never looked back. After noticing the upgrades Gold Wing owners were making, Honda wisely began introducing these features as stock.

These days, the Gold Wing hardly resembles the one from the 70s. But in its modern form, it’s hard to beat on price and features alone. Its capable engine is buttery-smooth. The rider and passenger accommodations are industry-leading. And you can even get it with automatic transmission and safety airbag!

Engine Specifications

Source: motorcyclenews.com

Model Highlights

• Safety features like the airbag
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Plenty of storage
• Passenger comfort
• Automatic transmission

5 BMW K 1600 Grand America Option 719 Midnight

MSRP: $30,725

For BMW fans, who couldn’t possibly care less about off-road capabilities, there’s always the K 1600. Even though it is meant to compete with the Honda Gold Wing, BMW has arguably gone above and beyond when it comes to luxurious features.

The K 1600 features heated seating and grips, a configurable button cluster, charging storage for smartphones, and a powerful 10.25-inch color TFT display. It costs more than the Gold Wing, but BMW is a premium brand, and the bike certainly feels like it.

Engine Specifications

Source: BMW

Model Highlights

• Fancy color scheme
• Premium bench seat
• Heated seats and grips
• Reverse assist
• Multiple ride modes
• Optional premium accessories and comfort packages

4 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited

MSRP: $32,499

Harley-Davidson also considers itself a premium brand. And though its bread and butter are cruisers, it’s pretty serious about its luxury touring offerings as well. While the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 is an extremely capable bike, sometimes you just want that whiff of authenticity that Japanese cruisers just don’t have.

You’ll pay over $10k more for that authenticity mind you, but the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is definitely worth it. It has all the typical luxury bells and whistles (Brembo brakes, cruise control, vented batwing fairing, hard luggage). But the star of the show has to be the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine, which sounds amazing, and has torque and power to spare.

Engine Specifications

Source: Harley-Davidson

Model Highlights

• Boom!™ Box GTS Infotainment system
• Full color TFT
• Suite of rider safety enhancements
• Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin

3 Indian Pursuit Dark Horse

MSRP: $35,999

Indian’s resurgence in the 21st century is truly something to behold. This is a brand that had died and was resurrected on multiple occasions. Having been brought back from hibernation once more by Polaris, Indian got busy building reliable, thoroughly modern alternatives to Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

If the Harley Ultra Limited is for riders looking to the past, then the Indian Pursuit Dark Horse is for those of us untethered to nostalgia. Modern, powerful, and loaded to the gills with features, the Pursuit is a shot across Harley’s bow.

Engine Specifications

Source: Indian Motorcycle

Model Highlights

• Frame mounted “shark-nose” fairing
• Electronically adjustable windshield
• Speakers in fairing and trunk
• Massive 35-gallon storage
• Electronically adjustable suspension

2 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

MSRP: $37,995

Ducati, an Italian motorcycle brand mostly known for top of the line sports bikes and gorgeous esthetics, have been immersed in the world of luxury for a long time. Its Multistrada lineup of bikes can certainly attest to that. But it’s the V4 RS that may be the pinnacle of opulence.

Starting with the Desmosedici Stradale MotoGP-derived engine, it only gets more exclusive from there. The Multistrada V4 RS features a titanium, lightweight subframe, radar technology, gorgeous paint scheme, side panniers, and a suite of unrivaled electronic safety and comfort electronics.

Engine Specifications

Source: Ducati

Model Highlights

• MotoGP-derived engine
• Lightweight construction
• Advanced electronics and tech
• Premium paint scheme

1 Indian Roadmaster Elite

MSRP: $41,999

Even though Indian doesn’t lean as heavily on heritage, as Harley perhaps does, it is not above dipping its toes into nostalgia on occasion. But if the result is something like the Roadmaster Elite, we’re more than happy to welcome it into our garage.

Because exclusivity is luxury, this bike is about as luxurious as it gets, with only 350 units available worldwide. The biggest draw here is the custom paint, which Indian hit out of the park. Otherwise the Roadmaster Elite comes with every perk Indian was able to cram into its large chassis, like the remote-locking storage, 12 speakers, adaptive LED lights, and heated and cooled seats for both rider and passenger. And if that’s not motorcycle luxury at its finest, we don’t know what is.

Engine Specifications

Source: Indian Motorcycle

Model Highlights

• Heated and cooled seats
• Custom heritage paint scheme
• Multiple speakers
• Exclusive limited run of 350 units