10 best motorcycles for travel
Touring motorcycles are a special class. They must have great endurance and at the same time feel comfortable on city roads. The developers of such technology are faced with a difficult task: to fit a lot of necessary and necessary travel options into a relatively small case. And it should be noted that many manufacturers do an excellent job with this task.
Choosing a bike for long-distance trips is quite difficult, and there are many factors to pay attention to. Here are just a few of them:
- The capacity and convenience of luggage compartments;
- Ease of boarding a motorcycle;
- Gas tank capacity;
- Simple and affordable repair;
- Speed and power;
And this is only a small part of what you should pay attention to when choosing. The task is not easy, and we decided to make it easier by collecting 10 of the most interesting models that can be safely called tourist, and at the same time they feel great on city roads. Simply put, this is a universal technique, and not all brands can boast of such models.
TOP 10 best motorcycles for travel
10 Indian Chieftain ROADMASTER ELITE
Speaking of American bikes, the first thing that comes to mind is a Harley. We see them in movies and various chronicles, but few people know that in America itself the Indian Chieftain is considered a classic. Just look at his photo. A real monster. So you imagine him plowing the American prairies and deserts. Everything is perfect here, from design and roominess to comfortable fit and balance.
So why is he not in an honorable place in our ranking? There are two reasons: the first is a small ground clearance. Maybe for American highways this is not a problem, but then we select a bike for trips across Russia, and we, as you know, have some difficulties with this. The second is the price. Of course, Harley is also not democratic, but even they have such a price tag a rarity. Simply put, the technique is not for everybody. Or rather, for a person who is ready to pay more than three million for a classic, which in some characteristics is somewhat inferior to a number of models from Japan, Europe and even China.
9 Honda PC800 (Pacific Coast)
If you are looking for the best bike for city riding and travel, then check out this model from the Japanese brand. Why is it great for the city? It's all about the engine and gearbox. Thanks to the unique layout, the manufacturers managed to achieve the maximum smoothness of gear shifting. The range between switches is very large, and you do not have to constantly play with the box, passing between traffic lights or in traffic jams.
The bike also feels very confident on the track. A 63 strong engine with a volume of 800 cubic meters easily accelerates the equipment to hundreds of kilometers per hour, and with further acceleration, it does not burrow, as is often the case in other models. The only drawback noted by many experts is the design. In fact, this question is subjective, and everyone has their own tastes. Yes, broken lines are not the most attractive solution for a touring bike, but some people like this technique.
8 YAMAHA STRATOLINER DELUXE
Modern people, even on long journeys, want to feel comfortable, and why should they be deprived of convenience, if there are motorcycles such as STRATOLINER DELUXE from a renowned Japanese brand. In terms of bells and whistles and additional options, it can be safely called the best of its kind. It has everything from smart electronics that control the ride and make it more comfortable, to the most modern multimedia.
The ride characteristics are also high, but the price of the bike will especially delight users. It is worth noting that we have it listed for the Deluxe version, that is, an improved one. Unlike the standard modification, several cosmetic body kits have been added here, but the price has increased by almost a hundred thousand.As for the shortcomings, there is only one - the inconvenient location of the ignition lock. To start the bike, you need to crawl under the steering wheel, and no modification or tuning will solve this problem. In fact, you quickly get used to such a feature, but at the initial stage you will have to suffer.
7 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING
The description of this motorcycle could have been completed immediately after the announcement of the name. There are hardly any people in the world who are not familiar with this American brand. A real classic. The best motorcycles imaginable, all of which are Harleys.
The company produces many different modifications, and this line has been developed specifically for long-distance travel. There are roomy trunks, a voluminous gas tank and the most comfortable fit. Yes, the pleasure is a lot, and consumables and spare parts make the Harley even more expensive. But how can you talk about money? When it comes to classics at their best? Plus, it is one of the most reliable models on the market. Harleys are renowned for their quality characteristics, which is why they are so loved by American travelers crossing the continent from ocean to ocean. The Russian expanses will also submit to Harley, although a small, relatively, ground clearance will force you to choose the most even and high-quality roads.
6 BRP CAN-AM SPYDER
Before us is not a motorcycle in the classical sense of the word. This is a tricycle, but unlike most models, there are two wheels at the front and one at the back. This technique looks, to put it mildly, strange, but as the owners and testers note, it is very convenient and comfortable to ride on it. Of course, steering with two wheels impairs maneuverability a little, and when driving into town, you should understand that this technique is not designed for looping in traffic jams. But on the track you will feel like the king of the road.
Of course, the first positive aspect is sustainability. There is nothing to say here, three wheels are three wheels. Secondly, this is the engine power, which allows you to accelerate rather heavy equipment to a decent speed. And another important argument is the volume of the trunk. Having loaded it with things, you can easily travel all over Russia from end to end, never having replenished stocks. Of course, this is a hyperbole, but almost 300 liters is an indicator that not every bike can boast.
5 Honda Gold Wing
And here is the real classic. The standard of touring motorcycles, which many manufacturers still follow, despite the fact that the development of this model began back in the 80s of the last century. Everything is perfect here: the fit is comfortable and does not burden the back of the person behind the wheel. Trunk volume is more than 200 liters. A unique set of electronics, constantly updated with each new model. Balanced center of gravity for maximum stability. And of course, a powerful engine that allows you to develop a decent speed on the highway and feel comfortable in the city.
In Russia, this model is no less popular than all over the world, even despite the rather high cost. Here it should be said that the bike is worth its money, and every ruble spent will be justified. First, Honda is renowned for its affordable and inexpensive parts. And besides, you are unlikely to need them in the coming years. The technique is so reliable and unpretentious that even routine repairs are often forgotten. By the way, the appearance, which is now used by almost all brands, was first applied on this particular model, and only later it became a classic and a standard.
4 BMW K1200LT
This model has been produced by BMW since 1999, and the line was removed from production in 2010. The reason for the withdrawal was the transition to newer models, but this option has already become a classic, and connoisseurs of real motorcycles for travel are still chasing this model. The first thing that catches your eye is the design. It's really eye-catching, and all the trunks are almost completely hidden in the body.Despite this, they have a large capacity, and you will not have any difficulties with placing things.
According to experts, this bike is not a tourist bike in full measure. Rather, it can be called a sports tourist, since it has a rather powerful engine that quickly accelerates the equipment. Also, many probably paid attention to the price. For BMW, it is more than democratic, but it should be noted that the cost is indicated not for a new bike, but for a used one. Finding an unfinished model is almost impossible. And if it is somewhere, then it will cost several times more expensive than more recent modifications from the eminent German brand.
3 CF-Moto 650 TK
In Russia, many are still skeptical about goods from China. The flood of counterfeits from this country about 20 years ago plays a role. But today times have changed, and Chinese manufacturers in many areas have outstripped their competitors from Europe and America. This bike cannot be called a miracle or perfection, although its performance is excellent.
This manufacturer is little known outside the Celestial Empire, but it is he who supplies the equipment to state and law enforcement agencies. In 2014, these motorcycles were run in China, on which they traveled 34 thousand kilometers without breakdowns and repairs. The result is impressive, especially when you pay attention to the price. Unlike Japanese or European bikes, almost anyone can afford this technique without feeling uncomfortable. According to the testers, the bike is really comfortable and great for long distance rides. Of course, in which case it will be problematic to find spare parts, so you should think about this issue in advance.
2 Honda CTX1300
This is probably the best long-distance bike. The main advantage here is convenience. Planting height is just over 70 centimeters. Both a tall person and not so much will feel comfortable in the saddle. The bike has a center of gravity shifted to the ground, which gives it stability. You don't have to constantly keep your balance, and the ride will be much easier.
The engine displacement here is 1300 cubic meters, which is comparable to a sports bike. Thanks to this engine, the motorcycle develops high speed on the track, and a huge number of electronic options, such as ABS and a brake controller, help to control its behavior. Separately, it must be said about the driveshaft. On touring bikes, this is not uncommon, and it should be understood that such a transmission is an ideal solution for equipment on which it is planned to make very long journeys. And finally, one more important nuance is accessibility. Despite the rather high cost of the bike itself, consumables and spare parts for it are relatively inexpensive, and they are easy to find both on the Internet and in a regular store.
1 BMW r1200gsa
When it comes to reliable and high-quality technology, the first thing that comes to mind for many is the German concern BMW. Indeed, the manufacturer is renowned for its technology, and this bike is direct proof that even a compact bike can fit everything you need. Several hypostases are combined here. For starters, this is a touring bike. It has a large gas tank and spacious trunks that are conveniently located at the rear and do not interfere with either the driver or passengers. In addition, the power of the engine and special wheels allow the bike to overcome the most difficult obstacles. On it you can easily travel off-road and the most difficult routes.
And finally, agility and obedience. These characteristics will not only facilitate a long journey, but also make you feel comfortable in an urban environment. Simply put, this bike can be safely called the best of its kind, and the only drawbacks that stand out is the price of the motorcycle itself and its parts. But this fact has long been known and does not surprise anyone. BMW cannot be cheap.
