Sport touring is for those who want to cover large distances fast and comfortably. Off-roading is barely a priority, but getting that knee dropped is at times. So such bikes have large sports bike-derived engines for the most part, but with a focus on torque and tank range. As an extension, they have pretty much all the safety features in the book, and since weight isn’t much of a concern, they also have pretty much all the creature comforts you can think of. As a bonus, some of them will provide a lot of comfort for the pillion as well.
Of late, though, sport touring motorcycles have been going the crossover SUV way – the new breed of sport tourer looks a lot like an adventure bike, but is a tarmac-based bike. With that in mind, here are a couple of ground rules for the list: they need to have 17-inch alloy rims, and they need to be true long-distance machines. So if they had a hideously expensive service at frequent intervals, say, 18,000 miles, we’ve left them out (you know who we’re talking about). Let’s dive in now, shall we?
10 Sport Tourers That Nail The Sweet Spot Between Speed And Comfort
All these sport tourers mix go-fast fun with long-haul comfort.
10
Yamaha Tracer 9
Price: $12,599
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
890 cc CP3 crossplane inline cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
23.6 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM |
6 speeds, chain final drive |
The Tracer 9 gets our vote for the ultimate all-rounder in 2025, and it isn’t difficult to see why. It has the playful engine from the MT-09, which always eggs the rider on to have more fun. It has a bunch of tech, beginning with the six-axis IMU and all the lean-sensitive extras it brings to things like traction control and ABS. Only the base model is sold in the US in 2025, so it deletes the camera-based adaptive headlamp and cruise control. The only thing it lacks is a quickshifter, and that is only because it has a Y-AMT automatic version, but that isn’t sold in the US market either.
9
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX
Price: $13,699
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1,099 cc Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
134 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
83.2 LB-FT @ 7,600 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
The Ninja 1100SX replaces the Ninja 1000SX, and the added displacement is thanks to a 3 mm increase in stroke. The result has been a slight drop in horsepower, a slight increase in torque, and compliance with current emission norms. There is a lot of standard kit on this bike, including a TFT display, two-way quickshifter, and a full electronics suite thanks to a six-axis IMU. For an extra $1,700, you can have yourself the Ninja 1100SX SE, with premium components like an Öhlins rear shock, Brembo front brake system, braided front brake hoses, and heated grips. The Ninja 1000SX is still listed on the Kawasaki website, so if you’re interested in a great deal, do have a word with your Kawasaki dealer.
8
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Price: $14,299
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
999 cc Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
78 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
The GSX-S1000GT+ follows the same recipe as the Ninja 1100SX: take an old platform and breathe new life into it, giving customers a reliable yet affordable product for the displacement. This engine and chassis have been around the block a few times, but that only means that reliability is up there with the best. It gets an up-to-date set of electronics, though, with inclusions like traction control, ABS, and ride modes. If you like to tour at a lot of pace but want something more comfortable than an all-out sports bike, the GSX-S1000GT+ is difficult to beat.
10 Powerful Inline-Four Motorcycles That Are Not Sports Bikes
The most powerful inline-4 motorcycle here is a gorgeous-looking Italian naked bike with 208 horsepower.
7
BMW S 1000 XR
Price: $17,995
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
999 cc Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
170 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
84 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
The GSX-S1000GT+ detunes its sport bike engine for better torque. BMW also does the same with the S 1000 XR, but when BMW does it, it puts out ‘only’ 170 horsepower. BMW knows exactly what it is doing with this motorcycle – you’ll find it in the ‘Sport’ section of the website. This is a comfortable S 1000 RR that will allow you to ride across a continent, then do a track day, and ride back – and you’ll have fun while doing all of it. Just prepare an almost-infinite budget for fuel, tires, and brakes…
6
BMW R 1250 RT
Price: $19,995
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1,254 cc Boxer twin cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, BMW ShiftCam intake VVT |
136 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
105 LB-FT @ 6,250 RPM |
6 speeds, optional quickshifter, shaft final drive |
The R 1250 RT gets forgotten a lot of the time because BMW has so many options. However, that doesn’t mean this is any less capable. It gets the engine from the now-discontinued R 1250 GS, but it also gets the variable valve timing on the intake valve. It also has incredible tank range if you ride it sedately. However, with features like BMW’s Paralever and Telelever suspension, a single-sided swingarm, a large 10.25-inch TFT display, and cornering lamps. It is difficult to ride it slowly!
5
BMW K 1600 B
Price: $23,395
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1,649 cc Inline six cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
160 HP @ 6,750 RPM |
132.7 LB-FT @ 5,250 RPM |
6 speeds, optional quickshifter, shaft final drive |
The K 1600 B is a quick motorcycle, there is no question about it. It is also a very different motorcycle from anything else here. The engine is an inline six but has an overall width of an inline four. It is canted forward at 55 degrees to the vertical, which gives the K 1600 a really low center of gravity.
And the rider has a storage space where you think the fuel tank is. The fuel tank, meanwhile, is under the seat. You get BMW’s whole set of electronics, as befits a full-dress tourer range, and a massive 10.25-inch TFT screen. Oh, and shaft drive means no maintenance required on your multi-day rides.
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4
BMW M 1000 XR
Price: $24,495
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
999 cc Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
201 HP @ 12,750 RPM |
83 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
This is the pinnacle of BMW crossovers, and unlike the other BMW touring vehicles, BMW has pulled no punches with this one. The M 1000 XR gets the full 200+ horsepower engine, it gets a derestricted top speed, and you can add on M Performance packs to make it exactly the way you desire. Standard equipment includes a two-way quickshifter, electronically adjustable suspension damping, adaptive headlamps, forged wheels, a titanium silencer, an adjustable steering damper, tire pressure monitoring, and keyless ignition, among other things. Imagine how long the options list is!
3
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce
Price: $25,598
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
798 cc Inline three cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
110 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
61.9 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
Looking at just the specs and price, the Turismo Veloce doesn’t make a lot of sense. However, this is an MV Agusta, and the value of art is different. Looks aside, this has a fair bit of tech in it as well – this is the only sport tourer that has an engine with a counter-rotating crankshaft. It also has all the electronic assistance you can dream of, thanks to a six-axis IMU. However, it will always come back to its calling card, its looks, and the incredible attention to detail that make this a decision of the heart and not the head.
2
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Price: $29,100
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
998 cc Supercharged inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
207 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
The Ninja H2 SX SE is Kawasaki’s modern upgrade to the ZX-14R – not quite a supersport, but definitely fast over long distances. It runs a 207 horsepower version of the H2 engine, and the supercharger gives it an incredible 101 pound-feet of torque. Since it belongs to the H2 range, Kawasaki has given it all the tech it has at its disposal; a six-axis IMU is just the start of the list. You also get, besides the safety features and power modes, a 6.5-inch TFT display, cornering headlamps with auto high beam, keyless ignition, the unique self-healing paint, tire pressure monitoring, and a different Kawasaki SPIN infotainment app for your smartphone.
10 Sport Tourers That Nail The Sweet Spot Between Speed And Comfort
All these sport tourers mix go-fast fun with long-haul comfort.
1
KTM 1390 Super Duke GT
Price: TBA
|
Engine Type |
Max Power |
Max Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1,350 cc 75 degree V-twin, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
187.7 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
106.9 LB-FT @ 8,800 RPM |
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter, chain final drive |
There isn’t an official timeline for the 1390 Super Duke GT’s launch, and things have gotten even more fluid now with KTM’s financial troubles. However, we still can’t stop ourselves from getting excited about this 1,350 cc tourer. KTM might sacrifice the power of the Duke a little to make it more livable for long-distance riding, but you can be assured that it will remain packed with electronics to help you keep the rubber side down.