Top 10 Long-Distance Touring Motorcycles of 2023

Motorcycle touring is one of the best experiences you can have as a motorcycle rider. There are different types of motorcycles suited for touring. However, it depends on how much distance you want to cover, your preferred riding style, how much stuff you want to carry, and whether to travel with a passenger. If you wish to experience a comfortable long-distance tour with a passenger, you need a touring bike with comfortable ergonomics, a standard rear trunk, and pre-installed passenger seats. Read this article to learn about the top 10 long-distance touring motorcycles of 2023.

Touring bikes are bulky and luxurious motorcycles equipped with ride-assist, safety, and entertainment features that make long-distance rides fun, safe, and comfortable. Touring bikes are also expensive due to being fitted with stock saddlebags, fairings, windscreens, and torquey engines. Most touring bikes have a stock infotainment system with speakers, touch screens, GPS, navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity. The windscreen installed on touring bikes helps block the incoming wind, and the forward-mounted floorboards provide adequate legroom. They also offer the most comfort for a passenger due to being fitted with a large rear trunk with a built-in passenger seat and armrests.

The types of touring bikes include the standard touring bike, sports-touring bike, adventure touring bike, and baggers. Sports-touring bikes can handle long-distance touring and have a sports bike look. These motorcycles are bulky and include stock saddlebags and wind protection.

Adventure touring bikes are suited for on- and off-roading. Their parts are mostly made of plastic and include standard storage capacity and windscreens. Adventure touring bikes have the high ground clearance to keep the engine from getting damaged while off-roading.

Baggers have several storage compartments that provide a high storage capacity. Cruisers can also be used for touring if fitted with a few aftermarket parts.

The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited has the complete touring package, including a stock shark-nose fairing, windscreen, saddlebags, trunk, passenger seat with armrests, crash bars, floorboards, and a luggage rack. The shark-nose fairing does not make the motorcycle’s front end heavier due to being frame-mounted and ensures better handling and cornering. The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited is also available in attractive two-tone color schemes and a matte black finish.

The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited is a heavyweight motorcycle weighing 932 lbs, a seat height of 27.2 inches, and a fuel tank capacity of 6 gal. This motorcycle ensures a comfortable riding position due to being fitted with mid-mounted sweptback handlebars and forward-mounted floorboards. The rider can comfortably ride for hours while keeping his/her back straight. A dip in the rider’s seat also provides slight lumbar support. The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited also provides adequate legroom thanks to its forward-mounted floorboards.

The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited is powered by a 1,868 cc air- and oil-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine capable of a torque of 165.41 Nm at 3,000 rpm. It is one of the ideal touring bikes for comfortable touring if you plan to go with a passenger.

The 2023 Harley Road Glide Limited has a stock infotainment system and rider safety aids, including an ABS, ELB, Cornering ABS, traction control, drag-torque slip control, and Hill Hold Control (HHC). The standard touring parts, modern rider aids, and classic style make it an expensive motorcycle, costing $29,399.

The 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental is one of the most elegant and classic touring bikes with modern features, a powerful engine, and improved storage capacity. It is a large, bulky motorcycle with wide front fairing and wind deflectors. The retro-style fuel tank, large front fairing, round headlamp in the center, two auxiliary headlights, and round chrome side mirrors give this motorcycle a retro-classic look. The 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental also has fairing-mounted speakers, analog gauges, and a 10.25-inch TFT display screen. For an improved touring experience, it also comes with stock hard saddlebags and a large trunk with an integrated passenger seat.

The 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental is powered by a 1,802 cc air- and oil-cooled, twin-cylinder boxer engine capable of a horsepower of 91 hp at 4,750 rpm and a torque of 157.27 Nm at 3,000 rpm. It also features a digital engine management feature, electronic fuel injection, with an electromotive throttle control system. The 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental has a six-speed transmission and can reach a top speed of 111 mph. It has a long wheelbase of 66.7 inches and a seat height of 29.1 inches. The fuel tank capacity of 6.3 gal makes this motorcycle an ideal touring bike. However, due to its powerful engine and curb weight of 942 lbs, the BMW R18 Transcontinental is not ideal for beginners.

The 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental is a comfortable touring bike with mid-mounted, swept-back handlebars that are within comfortable reach of the rider. The rider can sit in an upright back position for hours without suffering back pain. However, due to being fitted with a horizontal boxer engine, the BMW R18 Transcontinental has compact legroom due to its mid-mounted foot controls.

The modern standard safety features, including the integrated ABS, three riding modes (Rain, Rock, and Roll), dynamic engine brake control, Hill Start Control (HSC), Automatic Stability Control (ASC), and an optional Reverse Assist feature make the 2023 BMW R18 Transcontinental one of the safest touring bikes. The standard touring parts, modern ride-assist features, and large engine make this an expensive touring bike, costing $23,995.

If you are a fan of motorcycle touring and sport bike look, the Honda Gold Wing ensures a comfortable riding experience and a sportier look. It is one of the most prestigious sports-touring motorbikes with several engineering advancements. You can choose between a conventional six-speed transmission and the automatic DCT transmission variant. The 2023 Honda Gold Wing has a futuristic design with sportier fairings and an electronically-controlled windscreen for better wind protection.

The 2023 Honda Gold Wing is the only motorcycle to feature an airbag for extreme safety in case of a motorcycle accident. Even if riding a Honda Gold Wing with an automatic DCT transmission, you can easily switch between the manual and automatic modes. The 2023 Honda Gold Wing is available in four different trims. If you want a simple sports-touring bike without the large trunk and passenger seat, you can buy the 2023 Honda Gold Wing Automatic DCT at $25,600. The other three models have a stock trunk and an integrated passenger seat. The Honda Gold Wing Tour with a manual transmission costs $23,600, the Honda Gold Wing Tour Automatic DCT costs $29,600, and the Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT costs $32,900.

The 2023 Honda Gold Wing ensures a neutral riding position. The handlebars are low-mounted and swept back to make it easier for riders to reach them while keeping their backs upright. The Honda Gold Wing also has mid-mounted foot controls due to the position of the horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine.

The 2023 Honda Gold Wing is powered by a 1,833 cc liquid-cooled, horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine capable of a horsepower of 124.67 hp at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm. It includes a programmed fuel injection with a 50 mm throttle body to ensure a fuel mileage of 42 mpg. The Honda Gold Wing comes fully equipped with rider aids, including reverse and walking modes, cruise control, and a double-wall exhaust pipe for a more comfortable riding experience in hot weather. It also has four riding modes (Sport, Economy, Rain, and Tour), fairing-mounted 55-watt speakers, advanced gauges, and a display screen that show the temperature, riding mode, and navigation.

The 2023 Harley Heritage Classic is a cruiser-style touring bike with old-school styling and a leather seat. It comes with a large stock windshield, sealed saddlebags, and floorboards. You can remove the saddlebags and windscreen for a stripped-down cruising experience. The 2023 Harley Heritage Classic is available in a chrome or matte black finish. The chopped front and rear fenders, fuel tank-mounted gauges, and the Hiawatha headlamps give this motorcycle a classic look. The 2023 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic has a base price of $21,199.

The Harley Heritage Classic is one of the most comfortable motorcycles in the Harley Davidson lineup. It ensures an upright back and comfortable arm position due to being fitted with high handlebars. The rider can also comfortably stretch his/her legs due to the forward-mounted floorboards. The Harley Heritage Classic is an ideal touring bike for continuous long-distance rides.

The Harley Heritage Classic is powered by a 1,868 cc air- and oil-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight® 114, V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 94 hp at 4,750 rpm and a torque of 161.34 Nm at 3,000 rpm. The Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine provides a crisp throttle response and classic exhaust note. Being a Softail model, the Harley Heritage Classic includes an easily-adjustable hidden rear mono-shock that allows for dynamic cornering.

The BMW K1600 touring models were launched to compete with the Honda Gold Wing. The BMW K1600 Grand America was meant to target the American touring bike market. It is a sports-touring bike with all the touring features to ensure a smooth and comfortable two-up riding experience, including a trunk with an integrated passenger seat. Unlike the Honda Gold Wing, the BMW K1600 Grand America has forward-mounted foot controls that offer comfortable legroom and a more comfortable riding position. Despite being a sports tourer, the rider can reach the handlebars while keeping his/her back straight.

The 2023 BMW K1600 Grand America is fitted with a 1,649 cc air- and an oil-cooled, inline six-cylinder engine capable of a horsepower of 160 hp at 6,750 rpm and a torque of 179.9 Nm at 5,250 rpm. With its six-speed helical gearbox and multi-disc clutch, it can reach a top speed of 100 mph. The high-performance front and rear suspensions, with a front wheel travel of 4.5 inches and a rear wheel travel of 5.3 inches, make riding extremely comfortable.

Being a modern sports tourer, the 2023 BMW K1600 Grand America has several rider aids, including a complete infotainment system with a 10.25-inch TFT display, speakers, and a charger outlet. The standard ride-safety features include traction control, three ride modes (Dynamic, Road, and Rain), electronic suspension adjustment, reverse assist, hill start assist, heated grips, and a heated seat, resulting in a base price of $27,465.

If you want all the comfort, style, and features of a touring bike at an affordable price, the 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS is the best choice with a base price of $19,299. This Kawasaki was built for quality, comfort, safety, and performance. It has all the standard touring parts, including a wide fairing with a large windscreen. The large round headlamp and two auxiliary headlamps provide better visibility at night. The wide front fairing extends downward to protect the rider’s legs from the wind. The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS also has a classically-designed trunk with an integrated passenger seat and hard saddlebags. Its stock engine guard and frame guard helps protect the motorcycle from getting scratched.

The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS allows the rider to sit comfortably with an upright back and the forward-mounted floorboards provide adequate legroom.

The 2023 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS is powered by a 1,700 cc liquid-cooled, V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 72.4 hp at 5,000 rpm and a torque of 145.88 Nm at 2,750 rpm. It has a six-speed transmission with overdrive, a carbon fiber-reinforced belt final drive, and a digital fuel injection system. A standard ABS and Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-Braking Technology (K-ACT) provides reliable braking.

If you are a fan of a motorcycle with a classic look, leather seat, long-skirt front fender, and chrome finish, the 2023 Indian Roadmaster is perfect for you. The retro look, modern features, top-notch finish, and standard touring parts make it an expensive motorcycle with a base price of $31,499. The 2023 Indian Roadmaster also has a wide front fairing protecting the rider’s hands from freezing due to incoming wind. The extended engine cover also protects the rider’s legs from the wind. The 2023 Indian Roadmaster has stock hard saddlebags, a large trunk with an integrated passenger seat, and a luggage rack for extra storage capacity.

The 2023 Indian Roadmaster is an ideal touring bike with a comfortable riding position suited for longer rides. The rider can reach the handlebars without having to stretch his/her arms and keep his/her back straight. The rider can also comfortably adjust their legs due to the forward-mounted floorboards. The low seat height of 26.5 inches makes it comfortable for shorter riders.

The 2023 Indian Roadmaster is powered by a 1,890 cc air-cooled, Thunderstroke 116 engine capable of a horsepower of 116 hp and a torque of 170.8 Nm at 2,900 rpm. The rider can adjust the height of the windshield on the road by pushing a button. The heated grips and seat ensure comfort in cold weather.

The stock infotainment system includes a seven-inch touchscreen, 200 Watt audio system, FM, Bluetooth connectivity, USB, Navigation, and live weather and traffic updates. The standard rider aids include ABS, selectable ride modes, cruise control, and rear cylinder deactivation.

The 2023 Indian Pursuit Limited is a bagger-style touring bike with a stock shark-nose front fairing, a large windscreen, hard saddlebags, a luggage rack, and a trunk with an integrated passenger seat and armrests.

The 2023 Indian Pursuit Limited also ensures an upright back position and comfortable arm position thanks to its mid-mounted sweptback handlebars. The rider can place their legs in a comfortable position due to the forward-mounted floorboards. The Indian Pursuit Limited has a low seat height of 26.5 inches and a wet weight of 912 lbs.

The 2023 Indian Pursuit Limited is powered by a 1,768 cc liquid-cooled, V-Twin PowerPlus engine capable of a horsepower of 122 hp and a torque of 173.5 Nm at 3,800 rpm.

The instruments are mounted to the front fairing, including two analog gauges, a seven-inch touchscreen, and speakers. The 2023 Indian Pursuit Limited has several modern ride-assist features, including selectable riding modes, cruise control, rear cylinder deactivation, Bluetooth connectivity, phone connectivity, a USB, and a charging port, resulting in a base price $30,999.

The 2023 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited is a classic bagger-style touring bike available in an Heirloom Fade color scheme and unique graphics. Being a limited edition, it is the most expensive touring bike in the Harley Davidson lineup, costing $51,999. It includes a shark-nose fairing, a large windscreen, wind protection for the legs, hard saddlebags, a rear trunk, and a luggage rack. The 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited also has a comfortable rider’s backrest and a passenger seat and backrests to ensure comfort on long-distance rides.

The Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited also ensures a relaxed riding position by allowing the rider to recline against the backrest. It has slightly taller handlebars to position your arms high and keep the back upright. The Harley CVO Road Glide Limited also has forward-mounted floorboards to ensure adequate legroom.

The 2023 Harley CVO Road Glide Limited is powered by a 1,917 cc air- and oil-cooled, V-Twin Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine capable of a horsepower of 102 hp at 4,750 rpm and a torque of 169.47 Nm at 3,500 rpm. The electronic sequential port fuel injection system provides a fuel mileage of 41 mpg. The engine is fitted with a heavy air breather for better air intake and a high-performance exhaust system to maximize engine performance.

The 2023 Harley CVO Road Glide Limited has several rider aids to ensure a fun and safe riding experience. The modern features include a Cornering ABS, Electronically Linked Braking (ELB), traction control, riding modes, Hill Hold Control, and drag torque slip control.

The Harley Davidson Road King Special is another classic cruiser-style touring bike in the Harley Grand American Touring lineup. It is ideal for cruising on highways and open roads due to its stripped-down cruiser style. Despite being a touring bike, it does not have a windscreen. The 2023 Harley Davidson Road King Special has a round headlamp enclosed in a large nacelle. For a better touring experience, it can be fitted with saddlebags and crash bars.

The 2023 Harley Davidson Road King Special provides an upright back position and adequate legroom for riders to adjust their legs. It has a low seat height of 26.4 inches and a wet weight of 807 lbs.

The 2023 Harley Davidson Road King Special is powered by a 1,868 cc air- and oil-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine capable of a torque of 159.98 Nm at 3,250 rpm. It is fitted with an electronic sequential port fuel injection system providing a fuel mileage of 43 mpg. Despite having a classic look, the 2023 Harley Davidson Road King Special has all the modern ride-assist features, including an ABS, Electronic Linked Braking (ELB), Hill Hold Control (HHC), Cornering ABS, Cornering Traction Control System (C-TCS), and cornering drag-torque slip control.

Long-distance rides and motorcycle touring have become popular trends among motorcycle enthusiasts. Nowadays, touring bikes have become so advanced and luxurious and are equipped with a wide range of modern rider safety enhancements to ensure a comfortable and safe riding experience on long-distance rides. Touring bikes are becoming a popular mode of transport for touring as riders can carry more luggage and can ride comfortably for hours without getting fatigued. If you love touring and are looking for a motorcycle with a complete touring package and attractive style, the motorbikes mentioned above are the best touring bikes of 2023.

However, if you own a cruiser and want to transform it into a touring bike, Viking Bags has several aftermarket parts available, including saddlebags, fairings, crash bars, and sissy bars. If you want to make long-distance rides more comfortable on your cruiser, you can also find a wide range of comfortable seats, handlebars, and backrests. To increase your motorcycle’s storage capacity, you can add luggage options available at Viking Bags, including sissy bar bags, handlebar bags, tank bags, and motorcycle trunks.