Riding across America is no joke. You can go from sunny coastal weather to the heat of the desert, to the humidity of the Deep South, and then a curving mountain road with snow at its side if you pick the right time of the year. To experience all of these things on a motorcycle, you will first have to have the ability to cover thousands of miles on a single ride. It requires a very special kind of motorcycle to be able to do this. “This” involves sitting at 80 miles an hour on the interstate one day, and carving through a mountain pass the next. And while at it, maybe carry along a pillion and luggage as well. Whatever the case may be, here are ten of the best touring bikes for riding across America in 2026.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX
Price: $18,749
The GSX-S1000GX is one of Suzuki’s finest models because it is a tourer, but it also somehow manages to inject excitement into proceedings as well. The downside is an engine with not much relative performance at lower RPMs. But that is not what the GX is about anyway; you also get features like electronically adjustable suspension, cruise control, a 6.5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation, and, of course, a by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
999 cc |
|
Max Power |
152 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
78.2 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
BMW R 1300 GS Adventure
Price: $23,795
The R 1300 GS is the leader in its segment for very good reasons. And the Adventure variant is designed to take you much further, especially on tarmac. The R 1300 GS Adventure does this thanks to a massive fuel tank, which allows it to get one of the best tank ranges in all the two-wheeler industry. Of course, you also have goodies you get with the regular R 1300 GS, like electronic suspension, variable valve timing, and a TFT instrument display. An automatic gearbox is also on the options list, but it is a pricey addition.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,300 cc |
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Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
BMW R 18 Transcontinental
Price: $24,395
The R 18 Transcontinental is the flagship variant in the R 18 series, and we can see why. It has all the features you would expect from a full-dress tourer, but wrapped up in a huge chassis with the largest boxer-twin engine that BMW has ever produced. This is an engine that focuses on torque. But if you are going to cover large distances, then you will have to account for the relatively frequent valve-clearance checks.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
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Displacement |
1,802 cc |
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Max Power |
91 HP @ 4,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
120 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
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BMW K 1600 GTL
Price: $29,995
The K 1600 GTL is a unique full-dress tourer in more than one way. Not only does it have the world’s only inline-six production motorcycle engine with a horsepower figure that will make you do a double-take, but it is also a little sporty. No, really; this is a full-dress tourer that will at least put a smile on your face through a corner. It does not ignore comfort, either, with cornering headlamps, keyless ignition, a large TFT screen, an electric motor that helps you back up the bike, and self-leveling electronic suspension.
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Engine Type |
I6 |
|
Displacement |
1,649 cc |
|
Max Power |
160 HP @ 6,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
132.7 LB-FT @ 5,250 RPM |
Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally
Price: $31,995
The Multistrada V4 Rally is the equivalent of the R 1300 GS Adventure. It offers the ability to go off-road with its tubeless spoke wheels and on-/off-road tires, and the capability to go great distances with a massive fuel tank. It also gets the full electronic suite, which means that you do not really need to stick to paved roads with this one. The Granturismo V4 engine is a revelation, with its great power, impressive torque delivery, and reliability.
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Engine Type |
90° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,158 cc |
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Max Power |
170 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
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Max Torque |
91 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM |
Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus
Price: $32,499
The Roadmaster is available with the air-cooled Thunderstroke engine, but the PowerPlus 112 just makes more sense if you are going to cover a lot of distance, thanks to its liquid cooling. With the additional power and torque, you get the full feature set that you would expect from an American full-dress tourer, including a seven-inch TFT display, connected features, keyless ignition, remote lockable saddlebags, tire pressure monitoring, and linked brakes, along with a full electronics suite.
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Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
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Displacement |
1,835 cc |
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Max Power |
122 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
128 LB-FT @ 3,800 RPM |
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Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT Airbag
Price: $33,800
The Gold Wing is a leader in its segment for very good reasons, the most surprising one of which is its reliability and cost of ownership. You get a lot of features; for example, there is the world’s only seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that has a walking mode to move it forward and a reverse gear to move backward in a parking lot. It has a navigation system that will tell your position even when you are in a tunnel. And among the options is CB radio and the world’s only motorcycle airbag.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
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Max Power |
124.7 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Indian Pursuit Elite
Price: $44,999
The Elite series from Indian Motorcycle is a limited run of models that offers the best of everything Indian has to offer, with all the option boxes ticked. Its unique features include tri-tone colorway with a 3D effect in the paint thanks to crushed glass, connected features with its 7-inch TFT touchscreen display, and a full electronics suite. The PowerPlus liquid-cooled engine gives it great, consistent performance.
|
Engine |
60° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
1,835 cc |
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Max Power |
126 HP |
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Max Torque |
133 LB-FT @ 3,600 RPM |
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide
Price: $49,999
The Street Glide and Road Glide remain twins right through Harley-Davidson’s lineup, and it is no different with the CVO versions. The big difference is that the Road Glide gets the frame-mounted fairing and therefore better handling on the highway, especially in crosswinds. It is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine, which means you get not just great performance, but also appreciable fuel efficiency. Being a CVO model, it gets all the bells and whistles you would expect from Harley-Davidson, including a by-wire throttle and 6-axis IMU.
|
Engine Type |
45° V-twin, VVT |
|
Displacement |
1,917 cc |
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Max Power |
115 HP @ 4,500 RPM |
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Max Torque |
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
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Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Limited
Price: $51,999
The eye-watering price is because this is the new flagship of Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle range. It is both a CVO and a Limited model, which means it gets the best performance and the best features. Features include Harley’s largest engine with variable valve timing, a massive 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen, and a six-axis IMU. Meanwhile, the options list is short because everything is already standard on it.
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Engine |
45° V-twin, VVT |
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Displacement |
1,983 cc |
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Max Power |
115 HP @ 4,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
139 LB-FT @ 3,000 RPM |
Sources: Various Manufacturers