Motorcycle enthusiasts often dream of taking a nice long road trip by motorcycle. That’s great if the person already owns a motorcycle they like to take road trips with. But, for riders planning on buying a bike especially for taking road trips, choosing the best motorcycle might be a challenge.
There are many motorcycles to choose from. Every manufacturer makes a lot of claims about the abilities and strengths of their products. And, when experts are asked for their choice of the best motorcycle for a long-distance ride, they may all have different opinions.
10 Motorcycles Most Often listed as Top Picks by Experts
When asked for good motorcycles for a road trip, there are a lot of choices. It does narrow down the field somewhat though. The following 10 motorcycles show up on the top pick lists from experts. they vary in style and other features. Some are best for one style of riding, and some are better for other riding styles.\
- The 2022 Indian Pursuit is in the luxury touring class. But for those with the money, this bike has a lightweight aluminum frame, a great suspension package, and a lot of other nice features.
- The Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT is for those who like tradition and a proven product. It also has a powerful engine and great control. This bike gives a comfortable ride with good fuel economy.
- The 2020 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide is ergonomically built for comfort and performance. It has a powerful engine and great control on freeways.
- The BMW R 1250 GS is known for its comfort and great handling. It is good for long trips, and handles well in both cities and long stretches of country roads.
- Another tried and true cycle is the Indian Roadmaster, which lives up to the Indian Motorcycle Company’s excellent reputation. It comes with all the popular bells and whistles.
- For those who like Italian-made bikes, the Ducati Multistrada 1260 is both powerful and practical with a great engine and all the latest tech.
- For fans of Yamaha, there is the Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer to check out. This motorcycle is great for beginners and people who want a reasonably priced ride. It is a medium-sized touring bike with a good engine and lots of power.
- Another Harley to make the popular list is the Harley-Davidson Iron 883. It has a classic raw, stripped-down, black appearance and is great for those riders just starting out. It is easier to handle and has a comfortable seat. Also, think about the Harley Pan America for a fun adventure bike that does well on road trips.
- Honda’s entry to this list is the Honda Rebel 500, which is a beautiful bike with lots of power. It is great for the smaller or the beginning rider.
- Then there is the Triumph Tiger Explorer XRT with a powerful engine and more advantages of a high-performance bike. This is a popular British motorcycle with great features.
All these motorcycles and several others will make great motorcycles for road trips.
What Makes a Good Motorcycle for Road Trips?
Motorcycles that work well for road trips share some features. These are the features to look for in a bike that will be ridden on road trips.
- The bike must have fuel efficiency to increase the miles between fueling. This is different than larger fuel tanks.
- The bike must have the right engine. Touring bikes often have V-twins or other high-torque engines. The engine must have the right feeling for a smooth ride.
- Accessories make a difference, so make sure the bike has all the accessories needed for a good trip. Some of these include a windshield, saddlebags, a GPS holder, and other accessories the rider likes.
- Don’t get a bike without a good suspension and comfortable seats. If there will be a passenger, comfortable seats for both are a must. And, the angle of the seat makes a difference to comfort.
- The bike must be dependable to avoid serious breakdowns on the road. Have the bike checked out before starting any trip.
- The bike must be easy to handle and fit for the road conditions that might be found on the trip.
How Do Electric Motorcycle Work for Road Trips?
With the push for vehicles to switch over to electric power soon, it might be possible to find an electric motorcycle that would be good for long trips. Since the battery on an electric motorcycle has limited capacity, plan trips noting all charging stations, and make the trip route go from charging station to charging station. That might even add to the adventure. One good choice would be the Zero SR/S Electric Motorcycle. It is good looking and a comfortable ride.
Types of Bikes That Work For Road Trips
There are three types of bikes that work well for road trips.
- The dedicated touring bikes are bulky and heavy but they are also comfortable and offer an upright or laid back sitting positions for long distance comfort.
- Cruisers are not as bulky as touring bikes, but they are good for road trips. They can handle bigger loads than standard motorcycles. Cruisers offer the rider more versatility by adding accessories to make long trips feasible. They are also easy to handle.
- Adventure Bikes are good for road trips that might include gravel and dirt roads as well as paved roads. They have a higher center of gravity, so they might not be as comfortable on long trips for those with shorter legs. They also do not carry as much weight.
In conclusion, there are a lot of good bikes for road trips. The right one depends on biker needs, expectations, and budget. No matter which type and model of motorcycle is selected, plan the route carefully, have the bike checked and serviced before the trip, and make sure the needed items are included in the bike’s storage. No one wants to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere without that tire repair kit or other emergency equipment.
