10 Best Adventure Touring Motorcycles for Long Distances

Riders often get confused with adventure touring motorcycles. They are a type of adventure or ADV bike that is more geared for long-distance motorcycle touring and a little off-road ability as well. These bikes are fine-tuned to ensure a very comfortable cross-country ride and highway cruising.

ADV touring bikes may look like a regular ADV bike with colorful body panels and a taller stature. However, when it comes to performance, they are more like a slightly sportier version of touring motorcycles. ADV touring bikes are equally good for comfortable, long-distance riding.

ADV touring bikes are equipped with advanced rider aids, comfort-focused equipment, and plush ergonomics to make long rides feasible. These bikes have become an ideal alternative to large and bulky touring bikes and baggers.

In addition to their long-distance ability, ADV touring bikes can also do a bit of gravel road riding. Keep on reading this article to learn about the 10 best adventure touring motorcycles for long distances.

The BMW R1250 GS Adventure is a very well-known and popular ADV touring bike choice among riders. It is not only an ideal ADV touring option for long miles and cross-country rides, but it is impeccable when it comes to off-roading. If you are an expert enough to handle a heavyweight ADV bike, the BMW R1250GS Adventure can take you anywhere while trail riding.

Being built by BMW, one of the specialist adventure bike makers, the BMW R1250GS Adventure is a very reliable bike for adventures. It offers a perfect blend of robust built quality, comfortable ergonomics, long-range fuel capacity, and a powerful Boxer engine.

It is unlikely for a highly versatile dual-purpose bike like the BMW R1250GS Adventure to make it to the list of best ADV touring bikes. It is mainly because the best ADV tourers have a compromised off-road ability. Without a doubt, the BMW R1250GS Adventure is an exception.

The 1254 cc air/liquid-cooled flat-twin (Boxer) engine ensures ample power and torque delivery for almost all riding conditions. The latest ShiftCam variable camshaft system allows for the smoothest performance possible.

The adjustable windscreen, plush seat, and upright riding position offered by the BMW R1250GS Adventure contribute to fatigue reduction on long adventure rides.

Above all, the modern features incorporated in the BMW R1250GS Adventure make it a highly premium, fun, and more desirable ADV touring bike in the market, with a price tag of $20,745 (2024 model).

Ducati, as we all know, is a tech-focused bike brand with a greater attention towards performance-oriented designs. In the ADV segment, Ducati makes the Desert X and the Multistrada. Out of which, the Ducati Multistrada V4 is the adventure touring bike, ensuring better long-distance performance.

It is among the premium bikes offered by Ducati due to being fitted with many tech features. Everything included in this bike makes it a perfect candidate for long journeys and cross-country rides. The Ducati Multistrada V4 has power, comfort, tech, and whatnot. However, it has a limited trail riding ability. If you are looking for better off-road ability, you should go with the Ducati Desert X.

This bike features one of the most powerful and refined engine technologies, with the ability to produce smooth power across the whole rev range. It is highly capable of covering long miles, delivering instant torque, and ensuring smooth power delivery. The refined engine allows for better ride quality without vibrations.

The aerodynamics of the bike are optimized for better wind protection, reducing rider fatigue on long distances.

The Ducati Multistrada V4 is primarily designed for comfortable long-distance road travel. However, this bike can also deliver decent off-roading performance.

The seat height is highly adjustable with different accessory options to make it perfect for you. Being fully loaded with top tech features, this bike is considered a highly safe and fun option. A 5.8-gallon fuel tank capacity ensures a great range, ideal for long-distance ADV touring.

According to many reviews, the Harley Pan America 1250 is the most desirable Harley bike. Though it is very different from what Harley used to sell, it is still highly praised by its customers. It is probably the most innovative Harley model that can do more than just comfortable road traveling. The Harley Pan America 1250 Special can take you off-road as well.

If a Harley makes an adventure bike, it is likely an ADV touring motorcycle. It is because Harley is known for producing the most comfortable bikes. However, being powered by a Revolution Max 1250 engine, it has the ability to surprise you with its performance.

The Pan American 1250 Special is pretty fast, versatile, comfortable, and perfect for long-distance touring. Being a high-end ADV bike, it is heavy for those looking for trail rides. You will require loads of experience to ride this bike skillfully on dirt tracks. It offers appealing off-road handling ability if you dare to take this bike off-road.

As far as its long-distance riding ability is concerned, the bike is pretty comfortable for long days in the saddle. Being a sportier Harley bike, it is quite stable in the turns. The bike offers excellent traction in most conditions.

If you are interested in premium ADV touring bikes, the Pan America 1250 Special offers an adaptive seat height feature and semi-active suspension.

Another top-of-the-line, adventure touring bike by one of the most notable British bike makers is the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer. It is the most suitable Tiger 1200 variant for long-distance motorcycle touring.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer is a premium ADV tourer that is well above $23,000. This bike is designed for a certain class of ADV riders who are experienced handling a big and tall adventure touring bike and love to go long miles. Not everyone can afford this top-end bike.

If you are looking for a mid-weight ADV tourer with less power, torque, and weight, the Tiger 900 GT may be more suitable for you.

The Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer is a high-end, high-performance adventure touring bike with a powerful engine, advanced tech features, and highly capable handling. Being powered by a 1160 cc Inline-Triple engine, the Tiger 1200 GT Explorer ensures an exceptional top-end power and low-end grunt. 147 hp of horsepower at 9,000 rpm and 130 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm make riding pretty exciting.

The handling and maneuverability of the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer are improved thanks to the lightweight chassis and innovative Tri-Link swingarm. Above all, the semi-active suspension system with auto-damping adjustments makes this bike capable of adjusting to different riding conditions.

The 19-inch front and 18-inch rear cast aluminum wheels are highly optimized for long-distance, road-focused performance. Brembo brakes, cornering-enhanced ABS, cruiser control, Hill Hold, and five different ride modes make this bike a very desirable option. For enhanced comfort, the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer also features standard heated grips and heated seats for both rider and passenger.

If you can afford and handle this class of ADV touring bike, the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer is a great contender for long-distance ADV touring.

When it comes to the most versatile dual-sport, adventure bikes, KTM has always been one of the best contenders. Talking about the very powerful, road-biased, long-distance-capable ADV touring bike, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S is a prominent entity.

Being fitted with a large-capacity, 1301 cc engine, you can expect the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S to be a large and heavy ADV bike. However, thanks to the exceptional engineering, the weight and the size of this bike are very well managed.

The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S delivers an exceptional and strong road performance, as the power delivery is quite unforgiving. It accelerates like a sports bike in an ADV tourer body. Above all, this bike also feels very light and easy to maneuver.

Unlike the 1290 Super Adventure R, the 1290 Super Adventure S features 19-inch front and 17-inch spoked, aluminum rims that are perfect for long-distance travel.

Being powered by a large 1301 cc V-Twin engine capable of delivering 160 hp of horsepower and 138 Nm of torque, this bike is no joke. You need to have adequate riding and handling skills to ride and manage this bike on open roads and highways. It ensures a joyful and exhilarating ride.

What makes the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S exciting is its incredible power-to-weight ratio. The class-leading power-to-weight ratio makes it one of the most agile bikes in its class.

On top of the exceptional power, the ergonomics are also quite comfortable. In the tech domain, this bike lacks nothing. The semi-active suspension, along with the Adaptive Cruise Control feature, makes the ride more engaging and comfortable.

What makes the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S one of the best adventure touring motorcycles is its rider-focused design and comfortable seating position. It ensures a relaxed rider triangle and wide handlebars. The bike also offers enough space for the rider’s movement to ensure minimum fatigue on long rides.

The innovative fuel tank design installed on the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S also ensures a low center of gravity, improving balance, stability, control, and handling.

The Honda NC750X DCT is an ADV touring bike in the middleweight ADV category. It is among the very sophisticated options in the ADV-style road bike. The reliable build, comfortable stance, great fuel economy, and the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) option make it a very dependable option for long journeys.

The Honda NC750X DCT is not an off-road-biased ADV bike. Instead, it is made for the roads. It can be an ideal long-distance commuter if you plan to take it long distances and for cross-country rides.

The Honda NC750X DCT offers an upright, relaxed riding position. The low seat height makes it very comfortable for riders to sit on the saddle for hours without a problem.

The Honda NC750X DCT also has a low center of gravity, thanks to the strategic placement of the engine. This allows for better handling, stability, agility, and maneuverability, especially at slow speeds and in tight corners.

The bike also offers ample 23-liter standard storage right in front of the rider, where you can easily store a helmet. Meanwhile, the fuel tank is strategically placed under the seat for a more centralized mass, making room for standard storage space.

The Honda NC750X DCT is one of those fortunate models that feature Honda’s remarkable DCT feature. In the ADV bike segment, you may not find an automatic transmission model other than the NC750X DCT.

For those who want to stay more relaxed on long tours, they can free themselves from shifting gears and constant clutch engagement while riding. The DCT function can make riding very comfortable and easy for most riders. The DCT feature on the Honda NC750X makes it a more accessible and practical option.

This bike also features traction control and four different ride modes, including Sport, Rain, Standard, and a rider-customizable mode.

The NC750X DCT is also a great ADV touring bike when it comes to road handling and steering. This bike steers well more than you expect from it. So, take this bike on long-distance touring with full confidence.

Despite being a great overall ADV touring bike, the Honda NC750X DCT comes at a quite reasonable price. It costs below $10,000.

The 745 cc parallel-twin engine technology may be slightly low-revving, but the adequate torque ensures you don’t have to keep pushing it harder to keep up with the fast-paced traffic. It can only handle light off-roading. However, it is perfect for city traveling, daily commuting, and long-distance touring.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 remains one of the most solid and reliable options for those riders looking for a middleweight ADV bike option. It is slightly bigger and more powerful for beginners. However, with a little experience, you can ride this bike if you love ADV riding.

Out of all the variants, the Suzuki V-Strom 650XT Adventure is a more touring-focused model. This variant features stock aluminum hard side cases, engine protection, hand guards, side mirror extensions, and a handlebars cross-brace. This bike is nothing short of perfection when it comes to ADV touring.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650 has been around for a very long time, and it has won the trust of many ADV riders as one of the most reliable ADV bikes on the market. It features a sturdy frame that can take a beating.

The bike offers a natural riding position. The seat is quite comfortable, too, offering a comfortable ride over long distances. Above all, the flexible engine character makes riding very smooth, easy, and manageable. The non-threatening performance and nature of this bike make it perfect for most riders. The top comfort and a decent seat height in the category make it quite accessible and easy to ride.

The Suzuki V-Strom 650XT Adventure is also quite fuel-friendly. It ensures an impressive fuel economy, ensuring riders don’t face any issues while going long miles.

One of the best things about the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT is its confidence-inspiring handling ability. The bike is quite flickable and nimble in the corners, making it perfect for twisty roads. From highways to backcountry roads, the V-Strom 650 XT is a dependable option. You can confidently take this mid-weight ADV touring bike on long tours without worrying.

The windscreen is adjustable on this bike, offering adequate wind protection. You can comfortably spend hours on this bike without feeling fatigued, thanks to the comfortable stance.

Another very notable middleweight ADV touring bike on the market is the Kawasaki Versys 650. This bike is marketed as one of the perfect middleweight ADV tourers due to its long-distance riding abilities.

It offers an upright riding position, which makes it a very comfortable bike to ride on both short rides and long ventures. The seat height is decent enough for easy stopping the bike. The handlebars are wide enough to ensure better control and a natural sitting position for riders.

The best feature of the Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS that ensures a very plush and smooth ride is the SHOWA suspension, ensuring long wheel travel. The incredible suspension setup on this bike can handle almost all types of road conditions. On top of maintaining a smooth ride in different riding situations, the long travel suspension also ensures great handling.

The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS, with its 649 cc parallel-twin engine, 33.3 in of seat height, and 482.9 lbs of wet weight, is an unintimidating touring option for riders. The bike produces adequate power figures for long-distance road travel, making it quite a user-friendly ride for most riders.

The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS is among the lightest, nimble, and easiest-to-use ADV touring options on this list. It also works pretty well within the city. Being light and agile, the Versys 650 LT ABS also performs great on busy roads.

Above all, the Kawasaki Versys 650 is designed exceptionally well. The weight is distributed down low, making rides more stable and easy for riders. Riders can confidently lean this bike while turning sharp corners.

Being one of the reasonably priced ADV touring bikes on the list, the Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS offers only the basic rider aids. These include ABS, traction control, dual throttle valves, and smartphone connectivity.

The KTM 790 Adventure is a smaller sibling of the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. It is a middleweight road-biased adventure bike. If you want a more capable off-road-biased version, there is a specific KTM 790 Adventure R variant for that purpose.

The KTM 790 Adventure is the perfect all-round adventure bike. Being a middleweight ADV bike, it ensures ideal weight and size for active riding. Riders can engage in almost all styles of riding, including road travel, city commutes, highway cruising, off-roading, and even comfortable long-distance riding. Considering its class and type, the KTM 790 Adventure is a highly fun ADV bike to ride.

The KTM 790 Adventure may not be as premium and plush as other premium heavy-weight ADV touring bikes on this list. However, it is a decent and comfortable enough ADV tourer for long journeys. In fact, you can make your long adventures more thrilling and interesting by traversing through different types of terrains skillfully.

One thing that makes this bike stand out is its true agile nature. The seamless handling makes the KTM 790 Adventure one of the most suitable for twisty backcountry roads and highways. It offers very comfortable riding ergonomics, making long-haul journeys possible. Above all, the bike ensures a great fuel economy, making motorcycle touring more feasible for most riders. It has enough rider aids to keep riders engaged in the riding process.

You may not expect the KTM 790 Adventure to be this good when it comes to touring due to its off-road-biased design. However, thanks to the upright riding stance and comfortable seat, riders sit comfortably in the saddle for long, continuous hours.

The 790 cc parallel-twin engine doesn’t fall short of delivering quick and reliable performance in most riding conditions. You can rely on this bike for versatile, all-round performance. The 790 cc parallel-twin engine is well-known for the seamless power delivery and smooth throttle response across the entire rev range.

The last one on the list of best ADV touring bikes is the Honda NX500. Well, it is not a full-fledged ADV tourer, and it is not known for this purpose. It can be termed as a road-biased ADV bike that has only a limited ability to go off-road. This Honda ADV bike is a perfect road bike, ideal for daily commuting and city traveling. Being powered by a 471 cc parallel-twin engine, it can be your ideal beginner bike for most riding conditions.

The Honda NX500 can be used for long-distance touring, especially if you are a beginner or an intermediate rider. It features road-biased tires, making it capable of handling long miles comfortably.

For novice riders, the Honda NX500 is generally considered a good option for ADV touring. It is a more accessible option for those riders who are new to long-distance bike touring and are looking for a lighter ADV touring bike.

Being a road-biased ADV bike, it can only handle light off-roading. The handling ability is improved thanks to its lightweight and agile design. It is much lighter compared to other top-end ADV bikes. However, the NX500 doesn’t look like a small-capacity ADV bike. From the size and look of this bike, it looks like a complete ADV bike built for experienced riders.

Adventure bikes are becoming a popular option for both ADV rides and long-distance rides. The new riders are also on the lookout for better ADV bike options. Some of these road-oriented bikes are becoming a secondary option for road travel and touring. To ensure the young and new riders also have a good option, the Honda NC500X fills the gap successfully.

The Honda NX500 ensures rugged styling cues, but there is no compromise on the ride quality, smoothness, and comfort of the bike. It offers a comfortable riding position and ample power for long-distance touring. Above all, the bike also ensures good value for the money as it only costs $7,399.