Touring motorcycles are meant for one thing: covering thousands of miles while cocooning you in comfort. And regardless of the flavor a touring bike comes in, whether it’s an adventure tourer, a sports tourer, or a full-dress bagger, that goal never changes. By definition, touring motorcycles are meant to go the distance.
But there’s a catch. When you have a bike that can rack up thousands of miles within a year, you also need to keep its running costs and reliability in mind. If the tourer is high maintenance, it can quickly burn a big hole in your wallet, whether through excessive maintenance requirements or by breaking down at the worst times. Fortunately, there are plenty of touring bikes that can go the distance without costing you a bomb in the long run.
Honda NC750X DCT
Starting MSRP: $9,499
The Honda NC750X DCT is the kind of tourer that embodies the “Jack of all trades” saying. It’s a sports tourer that’s neither too performance-oriented nor too bagger-ish. Instead, it focuses on comfortable ergonomics and easy-going character, which also makes it quite a competent commuter. Even the engine focuses on low- to mid-range torque, and it has a storage space where you’d expect a fuel tank.
When it comes to ownership costs, the NC750X DCT is one of the most affordable tourers, not just to buy but also to maintain. It features a canted engine that shares its design principles and some internals with the Honda Fit car engine, and it is designed for a low-stress character and fuel efficiency. This makes the engine quite bombproof in the long run.
Honda Rebel 1100T
Starting MSRP: $10,899
The Honda Rebel 1100T is one of the most bang-for-buck bagger-style motorcycles out there, featuring a batwing fairing and sidecases at the back. It’s helped by the legendary Africa Twin-derived parallel-twin engine that’s known for its usable power spread. Combine that with the bike’s neutral ergonomics, and you have a tourer that can do everything from puttering around town to long highway cruises.
Where the Rebel 1100T stands out is its reliability. The parallel-twin has been powering the Africa Twin globetrotter for years, and that same dependability should translate onto the Rebel 1100T. You don’t have to worry about getting stranded on the freeway or expensive repairs. Owners also report that the bike has a long service interval and minimal ownership costs.
Honda NT1100 DCT
Starting MSRP: $11,999
The NT1100 DCT is what happens when you take the same Africa Twin-derived parallel-twin engine and tune it for performance, while revising the chassis geometry for sportsbike-like responsiveness. The bike also features Showa suspension, 17-inch wheels, and a six-speed DCT, which turns it into a sports tourer-esque Honda that should be versatile and fun for the long haul.
Like the aforementioned Rebel 1100T, the NT1100 DCT should be just as reliable. While the NT1100 DCT hasn’t been around for long yet, it still uses the same engine as the Africa Twin, and it should benefit from its legacy of dependability. And as far as ownership costs go, the NT1100 DCT is not only a bang-for-buck tourer but should keep running for years with minimal maintenance along the way.
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Yamaha Tracer 9
Starting MSRP: $12,599
The Yamaha Tracer 9 is a sports tourer that has made a name for itself thanks to its versatile engine character and long-distance comfort. It’s really got a dual personality, as the CP3 engine can sit at highway speeds for hours and, when you rev it up to the redline, it has enough grunt to have a lot of fun. You can also dial in the fully adjustable suspension to match the occasion.
The Yamaha Tracer 9 is much more than a sporty tourer, though. First, it undercuts much of the competition by a considerable margin, and the CP3 engine is thoroughly tried-and-tested. Owners report that this bike can rack up significant mileage over the years with few, if any, minor issues along the way. They also report very good fuel economy, which should further keep the overall ownership costs down.
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX
Starting MSRP: $13,999
The Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX replaced the Ninja 1000SX not too long ago, and with the larger displacement, Kawasaki says it brings better low- to mid-range torque that should make for a more engaging ride. Apart from that, it still remains a mature sports tourer that can handle both sedate cruising and fast canyon runs. Spend a bit more for the SE variant, and you unlock Ohlins rear suspension and Brembo brakes.
The older Ninja 1000SX is well regarded as one of the most reliable sports tourers you could buy back then, and the newer Ninja 1100SX should benefit from the same. Remember, the engine is just a small evolution of the older powerplant, so it should offer a good balance of reliable performance over the years. But since this is a proper liter-class inline-four engine, it will be slightly more expensive to maintain compared to parallel-twins and smaller engines.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Starting MSRP: $14,399
As you keep going up the performance and comfort ladder, you’ll quickly come across tourers that take their engines from superbikes. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ is one such example. This is a quick and agile touring bike that features a 999cc inline-four engine that delivers a respectable 150 horsepower, all wrapped in sharp styling with a tall windscreen and upright ergonomics.
The GSX-S1000GT+ is easily among the most dependable tourers out there, as it is powered by the same inline-four engine that once powered the legendary long-stroke K5 GSX-R1000 superbike. The K5 Gixxer was known for its bulletproof reliability, and the GSX-S1000GT+ should deliver on the same front. In fact, many owners claim that the bike is zero drama and pretty low maintenance in the long run.
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Yamaha FJR1300 ES
Starting MSRP: $18,299
Yamaha still lists the legendary FJR1300 ES on the website, so you should be able to find a brand-new model at dealerships. And it is worth looking at, because this is easily one of the most understated tourers you can get your hands on. It takes a comfort-first approach, complete with electronic suspension and adjustable bits all around, including side fairings, handlebars, windscreen, and more.
The bike is powered by an age-old inline-four engine with adjustable mapping, which not only makes for a sensible tourer but also exceptional reliability. Owners often praise this engine for its ability to cover over 100k miles with only routine maintenance. As far as maintenance costs are concerned, owners report that the costs are generally low. The bike is also quite DIY-friendly.
Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT
Starting MSRP: $19,499
Like the Ninja 1100SX, the Versys 1100 SE LT is an evolution of the older Versys 1000. This is a do-it-all motorcycle that is a tourer first but can double up as a sensible commuter and a powerful weekend toy. It should also offer plenty of room for the pillion, thanks to its tall stance and substantial seats. Being a premium tourer, you also get all the bells and whistles with this motorcycle.
At nearly $20k, the initial purchase price isn’t cheap by any means. However, you’re mostly paying for the comfort-first features that the bike offers. In terms of long-term maintenance, you need not worry much. The powerplant is the same as the Ninja 1100SX, so it should be quite easy to maintain over the years.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700
Starting MSRP: $19,999
The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 is often criticized for being stuck in time, but that very thing is what makes it so special today. It was so ahead of its time when it came out that it still holds up against much newer rivals. That’s thanks to its powerful V-twin engine and ergonomics that are said to be among the most comfortable in the segment. Kawasaki offers the Vulcan 1700 in two touring flavors: the Vanquero bagger and the full-dress Voyager.
There’s a reason why Kawasaki refuses to update the Vulcan 1700; after all, why fix what isn’t broken? The big twin engine on this bike is understressed; over the years, Kawasaki has had the time to fix all the niggles. As a result, this is one of the most reliable baggers you can buy today, with many owners reporting six-digit mileage on their bikes with nothing but routine maintenance.
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Honda Gold Wing
Starting MSRP: $25,500
When it comes to tourers, the Honda Gold Wing is the gold standard. It features a flat-six engine that’s known for its butter-smooth power delivery, accompanied by underpinnings designed to keep the bike planted and agile. Even the seats are nothing short of a couch. Adding to its edge are a range of advanced features, including an infotainment system, electronic windscreen, and plenty of rider aids.
The Honda Gold Wing is also a gold standard when it comes to reliability. Ever since its inception, the Gold Wing has reliably taken thousands of tourers around the world without a single headache. The latest generation stays true to that ethos by being a dependable touring bike that can easilyrack up six-digit mileage on the odometer. If older Gold Wings are anything to go by, this Gold Wing is sure to last for decades with minimal maintenance.
Source: Manufacturers, online forums