[cycleworld.com] - 10 Great Motorcycles for Travel 2023

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Travel means many things to many people, but it doesn’t matter if you like full-on tourers, ADV machines, or sport-tourers, there are a ton of options on the market.

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Motorcycle touring is one of the most rewarding forms of travel you can do. Unobstructed views combine with a way more entertaining way to explore. (Jeff Allen/)Motorcycles are fantastic for traveling and seeing the world. There is no better view than from the saddle of a motorcycle. But the bike you choose depends on where you plan to go, what you want to carry, and if you’re going it alone or bringing along a companion. This list in no way includes all the great travel bikes out there—just scratching the surface—but instead highlights a variety of models from various manufacturers to give you an idea of what kind of options are available. A rule of thumb when picking a bike for travel is to make sure it comes with or can be optioned with luggage, has good fuel range, and provides protection from the elements. All three of those things will make your journey much more enjoyable.

Asphalt Queens

These bikes are for eating up big miles on the highway, with a passenger and with room to pack a ton of stuff. They all pack big engines that make big torque, to easily get it all in motion when loaded to the gunwales.


You won’t find a more capable and comfortable machine for eating big miles in comfort. (drew ruiz/)Honda Gold Wing Tour

The Honda Gold Wing has won more Cycle World Ten Best awards than we can recall. If you want to hit the highway and eat up huge miles, the Gold Wing and its 1,833cc flat-six engine will take you there. The Wing offers great protection for the rider and passenger, comfortable seating, and plenty of storage for a reasonable road trip.

Price: $25,600

Fuel capacity: 5.5 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: 42 mpg

Estimated range: 231 mi.

Standard luggage: Yes, 121 liters of storage

Navigation: Yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible


The BMW K 1600 GTL packs an ultrasmooth inline-six that puts out 133 lb.-ft. of torque. (BMW/)BMW K 1600 GTL

BMW’s largest touring machine has been around for quite some time and has proved to be a serious challenger to the Honda Gold Wing. The GTL’s inline-six engine makes a claimed 133 lb.-ft. of peak torque, which is more than enough to move you and your passenger at entertaining speeds wherever your travels take you.

Price: $26,895

Fuel capacity: 7.0 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: 40 mpg

Estimated range: 280 mi.

Standard luggage: Yes, 113 liters of storage

Navigation: Yes, Garmin


Harley-Davidson’s Ultra Limited is an American classic and defines V-twin touring. (Harley-Davidson/)Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited

Harley’s Ultra Limited has defined the V-twin travel segment for ages. Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine that grunts out 122 lb.-ft. of torque, making passes while loaded up for Sturgis won’t be an issue. And the ample luggage space can eat up to 133 liters’ worth of black T-shirts and jeans. What else do you need?

Price: $29,169

Fuel capacity: 6.0 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: 43 mpg

Estimated range: 258 mi.

Standard luggage: Yes,133 liters

Navigation: Yes, Boom! Box GTS


Baggers can get you there too. You may not be able to carry as much junk in a trunk, but you’ll roll up in style. (Indian/)Indian Challenger

Baggers like Indian’s Challenger give you a V-twin touring chassis without all of the oversize bulk of a full-dress touring machine. Pack light and hit the road in style and comfort. With 68 liters of storage in the locking side cases and ample protection provided by the front fairing, you can hit the road for the weekend or travel far and do laundry along the way!

Price: $24,499

Fuel capacity: 6.0 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: N/A

Estimated range: N/A

Standard luggage: Yes, 68 liters

Navigation: Yes, Ride Command

Seeking All Roads

Adventure bikes are really the modern-day universal motorcycles. They can eat up highway miles with the best, while allowing you to keep going when the pavement ends. Added bonuses are creature comforts and great ergos.


Want a loaded ADV bike for under $11,000? The XT Adventure might just be your bike. (Suzuki/)Suzuki V-Strom 650XT Adventure

Let’s be crystal clear, you don’t have to spend 20 grand to buy an adventure bike. Proof comes in the form of Suzuki’s 650XT Adventure, which comes loaded with aluminum side cases, crashbars, a skid plate, and pretty much all the features you need to get you out exploring for under $11,000. What, 650cc not enough for you? There is also a brand-new V-Strom 800DE Adventure on the way in 2023.

Price: $10,799

Fuel capacity: 5.3 gal.

Cycle World recorded average mpg: 40 mpg

Estimated range: 212 mi.

Standard luggage: Yes, 74 liters

Navigation: No


The OG of ADV, the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure can take you almost anywhere you can imagine. (BMW/)BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

It’s impossible to talk about adventure-touring motorcycles and not bring up BMW’s GS. It is the bike that created the entire segment of ADV machines, before that segment even had a name. The GSA in particular is about as trustworthy of a travel companion as there is. But if you want to prep it to meet your needs, you’ll have to add some packages and accessories to do so.

Price: $20,345

Fuel capacity: 7.9 gal.

Cycle World recorded average mpg: 32 mpg

Estimated range: 252 mi.

Standard luggage: Optional

Navigation: Optional Garmin


Brute force combined with features galore makes the 1290 Super Adventure S a great mileage slayer, on highway or off. (Jeff Allen/)KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

We can’t hide the fact that we love the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. In fact, if you’re looking for a more-road-oriented ADV bike that is still very capable off highway with a different set of tires, this bike is hard to beat. It recently won our Open-Class Adventure Comparison largely based on its versatility and brute power.

Price: $20,299

Fuel capacity: 6.1 gal.

Cycle World recorded average mpg: 43.2 mpg

Estimated range: 263 mi.

Standard luggage: Optional

Navigation: Yes, w/ KTMconnect app

Go Fast, Go Long

Sometimes you want to travel light and rip twisties all day long. That’s what sport-touring has always been about, but the face of the class has evolved with sporty ADV-looking machines featuring sporting rubber and upright seating positions. This category fills a void that we didn’t even know existed 15 years ago.


An asphalt-oriented adventurer meets sportbike, meets tourer, the Tracer 9 GT can do it all. (Joseph Agustin/)Yamaha Tracer 9 GT

The times they are a-changing, and the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT is a perfect example of how the sport-touring class has evolved over the years. Take the upright seating position and comfortable ergonomics of an ADV bike, combine it with sporty handling and a fun inline-triple engine and you get the Tracer 9 GT, a go anywhere machine that can eat miles as easily as it slays curves.

Price: $14,999

Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: 49 mpg

Estimated range: 245 mi.

Standard luggage: Yes

Navigation: No


Cruise missile or motorcycle? The Ninja H2 SX SE’s supercharged engine borders on both. (Kawasaki/)Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE

OK, the supercharged Kawasaki H2, in any form, is a monster. But you can’t argue against the fact that the SX SE is the most badass sport-touring machine currently available. With a claimed 200 hp and more than 100 lb.-ft. of torque, this thing can almost warp time. Throw on a set of the optional saddlebags and you should be ready for wherever the bike takes you through the time-portal wormhole.

Price: $27,500

Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: N/A

Estimated range: N/A

Standard luggage: Optional 28 liter saddlebags

Navigation: Yes, Kawasaki’s Spin infotainment system


Ducati’s original crossover, the Multistrada blasts forward after almost two decades with the V4 S. (Ducati/)Ducati Multistrada V4 S

Ever since the original Ducati Multistrada came out back in 2003, the bike has redefined what an upright, sporty, touring bike should be. It helped stretch the sportbike category with its potent engines, comfortable ergonomics, and travelworthy amenities. Fast-forward to 2023, and the Multi’s V-4 engine delivers 170 hp and 92 lb.-ft. of torque. Load up the optional luggage and pick the twistiest route you can find between point A and point B. Ciao!

Price: $26,895

Fuel capacity: 5.8 gal.

Claimed fuel mileage: N/A

Estimated range: N/A

Standard luggage: Optional

Navigation: Yes