If you’re in the market for a touring motorcycle in 2026, you’re spoiled for choice. Touring bikes are more than machines, they’re tools for exploration, freedom, and long‑distance storytelling on two wheels.
Whether you’re chasing coast‑to‑coast adventures, carving mountain passes, or simply logging serene highway miles, the right bike makes all the difference. This year brings a mix of classic big‑bagger comfort, refined sport‑touring handling, and adventure‑leaning versatility.
Some models remain perennial favorites because they’ve proven themselves over decades, while others push boundaries with tech and performance that make long journeys smoother and more connected than ever. Here’s a no‑nonsense guide to the 10 best touring motorcycles worth your attention in 2026.
1. Honda Gold Wing Tour
Let’s start with what many riders consider the gold standard of touring bikes: the Honda Gold Wing Tour. Its plush seating and relaxed riding posture keep you fresh even after 500+ miles, while the smooth flat‑six engine pushes you down the highway with refined confidence.
Tech features include a large TFT display, integrated navigation, cruise control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, hill start assist, and adjustable suspension, all standard. Riders can choose between a classic 6‑speed manual or a 7‑speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) for effortless shifting.
The Gold Wing Tour is best for those seeking maximum comfort and reliability for long hauls, with ample luggage and tech to go everywhere, all the time. This motorcycle isn’t just about distance, it’s about quality of distance.
The Honda Gold Wing has been a cornerstone of touring motorcycles for 50 years, and the 2025 model honors that legacy while incorporating a few key modern updates. Even in this milestone year, most models forgo special badging, though Honda still offers both the Gold Wing Tour and Gold Wing Tour DCT variants.
The sixth-generation GL1800 architecture remains at the heart of the machine: a smooth 1833cc horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, a twin-spar aluminum frame, double-wishbone front suspension, shaft drive, and ergonomics designed for long-distance comfort.
For 2025, the changes are subtle but meaningful. Honda has removed the built-in navigation system, shifting entirely to smartphone-based mapping via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims.
Mechanically, the Gold Wing remains faithful to its proven formula. The GL1800 engine delivers a broad, smooth torque curve, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission with reverse or a seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) that includes a forward/reverse walking mode.
Tour variants continue to offer electronically adjustable rear preload, heated grips and seats, hill start assist, and a full suite of ride modes (Tour, Sport, Economy, Rain).
Honda also retains the six-axis IMU-based combined ABS, throttle-by-wire, and traction control systems, along with the double-wishbone front suspension, Showa rear shock with Pro-Link geometry, and finely tuned chassis, an architecture so capable that only minor updates are needed each year to remain competitive.
The 2025 Gold Wing isn’t a revolution, but a careful refinement: a classic touring motorcycle that keeps pace with modern expectations while staying true to the qualities that made the Gold Wing legendary.
2. Harley‑Davidson Street Glide
A classic American touring icon, the Harley‑Davidson Street Glide blends heritage with modern touring demands. Its batwing fairing and low stance give it a timeless cruiser look, while upright seating and well‑tuned suspension ensure comfort on extended highway runs.
The Boom!™ Box GTS infotainment system features a touchscreen, navigation, and premium audio. The Street Glide also offers a massive aftermarket and personalization ecosystem, if you want it to look like your bike, you can build it. It’s ideal for riders who crave American V‑twin torque, classic style, and a community built around long‑legged cruiser experiences.
3. Harley‑Davidson Road Glide
For riders who prioritize stability at highway speeds, the Harley‑Davidson Road Glide stands out. Unlike the Street Glide’s fork‑mounted batwing, the Road Glide’s fairing is frame-mounted, providing rock‑steady wind management at speed.
Its seat ergonomics and strong low‑end torque make long cruising effortless, and it shares similar infotainment and safety features with the Street Glide, with touring performance dialed up.
This bike is perfect for those who want serious touring performance with a planted feel on long straights, whether cruising the West Coast, southern states routes, or Pennsylvania backroads.
4. Indian Roadmaster
The Indian Roadmaster rivals the big Harleys in classic American touring with a premium finish. Its Thunderstroke 116 V‑Twin engine delivers ample torque for highway cruising, while luxurious seating with heated passenger and rider options ensures comfort on higher trims.
Massive saddlebags and a top trunk make it perfect for couples or riders who pack heavy. With a heritage that competes toe‑to‑toe with Harley, the Roadmaster is for those who want big cruiser comfort, premium styling, and a serious road presence.
All models in Indian’s lineup, the Chiefs, Chieftain, Roadmaster, and their many variations, share a common mechanical foundation built around the 49-degree, air-cooled V-twin known as the Thunder Stroke 111.
This modern interpretation of a classic Indian powerplant produces a claimed 119 ft-lb of peak torque at 3,000 rpm, all managed through a closed-loop, throttle-by-wire EFI system. Power is delivered smoothly to the rear wheel via a reliable belt drive.
In everyday riding, the Roadmaster’s output is more than sufficient for city streets, highways, and interstate cruising. During a recent 4,500 km ride through Southern California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana, mostly on two-lane roads with plenty of RVs and rental cars to pass, the bike handled overtaking effortlessly, though it often benefits from a downshift to maintain momentum.
Indian’s engineers clearly invested considerable effort in making the Thunder Stroke 111 as visually impressive as it is mechanically. They also tuned the exhaust for a pulse that’s both audible and visceral, while minimizing mechanical noise from the transmission and gear pairs to ensure the pure engine note shines through. At idle, the engine’s cadence and tone are widely admired.
Riders also feel that pulse in a mostly pleasant way through the seat, floorboards, and handlebars. Personally, the sweet spot hits around 2,000 rpm in higher gears, where a light, rolling throb perfectly signals a great day on the road.
At roughly 2,600 rpm (113 km/h in sixth gear), there’s a sharper high-frequency vibration that can irritate the hands and feet, but it’s situational, easily managed by shifting gears or adjusting speed.
5. BMW K 1600 GTL
Stepping into European touring excellence, the BMW K 1600 GTL is a tech‑rich performer with touring muscle. Its silky‑smooth inline‑six engine offers strength and composure over long stretches, while the bike’s full suite of rider aids, adaptive suspension, advanced cruise control, premium audio, and dynamic ESA enhance the touring experience.
Excellent fairing and screen design provide wind protection that reduces fatigue on long days. This bike is ideal for riders who want touring luxury and performance, essentially first‑class touring in motorcycle form.
The 2025 BMW K 1600 GTL continues the marque’s tradition of refined sport-touring performance. Originally introduced in 2005, the K 1600 GTL has earned a reputation for blending long-distance comfort with thrilling six-cylinder power.
This German-engineered tourer features a horizontally mounted, liquid-cooled inline-six engine with 24 valves and a dual overhead cam configuration. The 1,649 cc (100.6 ci) powerplant produces a lively 160 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and 179.9 Nm of torque at 5,250 rpm, delivering smooth, linear power across a broad rev range.
Designed for the long haul, the K 1600 GTL pairs its high-output engine with premium fuel injection and a 12.2:1 compression ratio, ensuring both efficiency and performance.
Riders benefit from electric start, precise throttle response, and a chassis tuned to handle miles of asphalt with confidence. BMW reports a combined fuel economy of 40 mpg, a remarkable figure for a six-cylinder sport-touring machine.
On the warranty front, BMW provides a limited 36-month coverage for 36,000 miles, underscoring the brand’s confidence in the durability and reliability of this touring flagship. With a starting MSRP of $27,745 plus a $895 destination charge, the 2025 K 1600 GTL offers a luxurious and capable platform for riders who demand performance, comfort, and versatility in equal measure.
6. BMW R 1300 RT
For those who want a slightly lighter, more agile touring machine with classic BMW boxer character, the BMW R 1300 RT delivers. Its torquey boxer twin engine performs well in all conditions, while the bike maintains a great balance between stability on highways and agility in twisty backroads.
Adjustable seats, an ergonomic cockpit, and excellent luggage options add comfort and practicality. The R 1300 RT suits riders who split time between long interstate runs and twisty back roads and don’t want to just cruise.
7. Ducati Multistrada V4 RS
The Ducati Multistrada V4 RS is for riders who want a touring bike that excels beyond the highway. Its punchy V4 engine and sportbike-inspired dynamics deliver thrilling performance, while the Skyhook electronic suspension adapts to road conditions for a smooth ride.
This bike performs exceptionally well on highways and twisty mountain roads alike. Sport‑minded touring riders who value performance and tech without sacrificing long‑distance comfort will find the Multistrada V4 RS a perfect fit.
The 2024 Ducati Multistrada V4 RS takes everything that made the Pikes Peak version impressive and turns it up to eleven. Faster, lighter, and more aggressive, the RS is a high-end sport-touring bike that blends superbike performance with long-distance versatility. Ducati positions it as a status symbol, a bike you buy because you can, not because you need it.
At the heart of the RS is a 1,103cc V4 engine derived from the Panigale V4 S superbike. It delivers 180 horsepower at 12,250 rpm and 87 lb-ft of torque at 7,750 rpm.
With short gearing, a claimed wet weight of 496 pounds, and a chassis tuned for agility, the RS accelerates with astonishing forward thrust, capable of lifting the front wheel under aggressive throttle while electronics keep everything under control. Optional race exhaust and Ducati Performance Oil can boost output to 195 hp, emphasizing its track-inspired DNA.
Ducati has also trimmed weight across the board: Marchesini forged aluminum wheels, a titanium subframe, carbon fiber components, and a smaller lead-acid battery cut significant pounds versus the base V4 S, enhancing nimbleness without sacrificing touring comfort.
The Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension, 48mm fork and TTX36 rear shock, offers event-based, adjustable settings for different loads and riding styles, from single rider to two-up with luggage. Calibration refinements make the RS both agile in twisties and stable on highways, with brake and cornering response that inspire confidence.
Other touches include Blind Spot Detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, and the STM EVO-SBK dry clutch, which, while noisy at idle, is track-ready and responsive under heavy use. The Multistrada V4 RS is an exhilarating blend of power, precision, and touring practicality, a superbike you can comfortably ride all day while turning heads everywhere you go.
8. KTM 1290 Super Adventure S
For touring plans that include gravel, dirt connectors, and backcountry roads, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S combines adventure capability with touring comfort. Its potent V‑Twin engine delivers strong midrange and highway performance, while adaptive cruise control, cornering ABS, and a robust electronic suite support versatile riding.
This bike works well on pavement and light off-road stretches alike, making it ideal for riders who want diversity in terrain without switching bikes, especially great for cross‑country mixed‑surface touring.
The 2024 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is a beast of an adventure motorcycle, one that turns heads as much as it tears up roads. The Super Adventure S isn’t a couch like BMW’s GS series. The seat is firm, the bike tall, and with a fully loaded top box it tips the scales at over a quarter of a ton.
On my first day, I dropped it twice just trying to park. But once you tame it, the bike is addictive. Its upright ergonomics, keyless ignition system, and LED daytime running light shaped like an upside-down bull’s horn make it both practical and visually striking.
KTM claims the Super Adventure S has the most advanced electronics in motorcycling, and it largely lives up to it. Riders can mix and match Road, Off-Road, Rain, and Sport modes, adjusting suspension, ABS, and traction control via a multi-button handlebar pod. There were some glitches with transponder connectivity and ABS, but KTM resolved these at their Cali workshop.
The 1301cc V-twin engine delivers obscene acceleration, especially in Sport mode, think Back to the Future-level thrill. The Bosch-designed ABS and Motorcycle Traction Control are lean-sensitive, giving the bike uncanny cornering precision. On twisty roads, it handles like a lightweight KTM dirt bike, even at highway speeds.
Off-road, the Super Adventure S initially feels unwieldy, but its size is actually an advantage. The bike effortlessly glides over ruts and rocky trails, with computer-controlled suspension smoothing the ride. Even when engine output is dialed down to 100 hp for off-road mode, it’s unstoppable.
KTM may never fully woo diehard BMW GS fans, but the 1290 Super Adventure S is a formidable alternative. It combines superlative power, razor-sharp handling, and advanced electronics into a machine that’s both thrilling and capable of covering long distances.
The seat could be more comfortable, and a few software bugs remain, but for riders who crave adventure without compromise, the Super Adventure S delivers a grin-inducing, no-limits experience.
9. Yamaha Tracer 9 GT
The Yamaha Tracer 9 GT proves that touring doesn’t have to be heavy or intimidating. Lighter and more nimble than traditional touring bikes, it features an adjustable windscreen, hard luggage, and excellent seat ergonomics for comfort. Its strong CP3 engine delivers smooth power, making it ideal for riders who want touring capability with sportbike‑like handling.
The sport-touring category is alive and well, but motorcycles don’t look like your dad’s Honda ST1300 anymore. Today, these bikes blend comfort, technology, and aggressive styling with a healthy dose of sportiness. For riders who love long-distance journeys without sacrificing thrills, the Tracer 9 GT+ hits all the right notes.
I put the T9GT+ through its paces around Boise, Idaho, a city with a manageable size, small-town charm, and plenty of nearby twisty roads. The 190-mile loop included Bogus Basin Road, winding through ski resorts, the Payette River corridor, and the Wildlife Canyon and Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byways.
At the heart of the Tracer 9 GT+ is Yamaha’s 890cc CP3 triple engine. From the sidewalk, you hear the bike’s distinct growl; in the saddle, the torque delivers an engaging, sporty feel.
Yamaha’s steel chassis paired with a steel subframe strikes a balance between agility and strength. With a five-gallon fuel tank and 425-pound payload capacity, this bike is as practical as it is fun.
For touring, the Tracer 9 GT+ delivers. Standard 30-liter side cases are spacious enough for most trips, and Yamaha offers an optional top case for around $400. The locking mechanism is simple and intuitive, you can leave the cases unlocked while opening and closing them freely.
The seat is plush, well-padded, and comes in a suede-like finish, offering all-day comfort without needing aftermarket modifications. Heated grips with 10 levels of adjustment let riders fine-tune warmth to their glove type and the conditions, while optional heated seats offer similar adjustability.
Two seat heights accommodate a variety of riders. LED cornering lights activate when leaning past seven degrees above 3 mph, adding a layer of safety in low-light conditions.
The Tracer 9 GT+ is loaded with cutting-edge tech. It features adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the world’s first radar-linked unified braking system (UBS) on a motorcycle.
Yamaha’s Tracer 9 GT+ strikes a rare balance: it’s sporty, capable, and packed with technology, yet still comfortable for long-distance rides.
10. Triumph Tiger Sport 800
The Triumph Tiger Sport 800 blends sport touring agility with everyday usability. Its upright yet sporty riding position, lively twin‑cylinder engine, and ergonomic design make it great for riders who don’t want a bulky bagger. The Tiger Sport 800 is perfect for those who want lightweight touring comfort and enjoy twisty roads as much as long straights.
The truth is, the best touring bike is the one that matches your riding style, comfort needs, luggage plans, and terrain. There’s no single perfect touring bike for everyone, but there are perfect bikes for you. If you’re planning coast‑to‑coast trips, go big with the Honda Gold Wing, Harley Street/Road Glide, or Indian Roadmaster.
For tech and performance lovers, the BMW K 1600 GTL or Ducati Multistrada V4 RS are top choices. Off‑pavement explorers should consider the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. Those wanting touring comfort without bulk should look at the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT or Triumph Tiger Sport 800. For balanced all‑around performance, the BMW R 1300 RT earns its spot.
There was a chance Triumph could have botched it, but they haven’t. The Tiger Sport 800 emerges as a blinding all-rounder in the sport-touring segment, a bike versatile enough to appeal to highly experienced riders, those buying their second big bike, or even Tiger Sport 660 owners craving a bit more performance and features.
Engineering the 800 was no small task. While it’s clearly inspired by the 660, the new engine shares very little beyond a few basic parts. The frame, though similar in dimension, is entirely new.
Simply enlarging the 660’s cylinder and throttle bodies would have made the engine bulkier, necessitating a wider frame and bodywork, throwing off the original concept entirely. Triumph’s engineers admitted they slightly regretted not designing the 660 and 800 side by side from the start, but the result speaks for itself.
The Tiger Sport 800 retains the charm and agility of the 660 while delivering a more grown-up experience: a stronger engine, a more capable and refined chassis, and a few extra creature comforts. It strikes a rare balance of fun, practicality, low ownership costs, and ease of use.
Perhaps most impressively, Triumph has created a motorcycle that hits the sweet spot for cost-conscious buyers. At £10,995 for the base grey model, and just £100 more for vibrant color options, it offers everything you could reasonably expect or desire in this category.
Every system works in harmony, and there are no glaring deficiencies. The Tiger Sport 800 feels wholly appropriate for its intended purpose, delivering refinement, performance, and everyday usability in one well-engineered package.
2026 is a standout year for touring motorcycles. Whether you favor classic American baggers, refined European tourers, or sport‑leaning machines, each bike on this list delivers comfort, capability, and pure joy on the road.
Your next big ride could be the start of countless stories, and the right bike is the best investment you can make in those memories. Choose based on how you ride as much as where you’ll go, because touring isn’t just about distance, it’s about how long you can ride without wishing you weren’t on a better bike.
