The spec sheet is a misleading thing. It makes you believe that the motorcycle with the biggest numbers, the lightest weight, will be the best one. That’s not always true, because not all of us want the same things from a motorcycle. For most of us, a motorcycle that is pleasant to ride daily will be preferred over one that is amazing for a very specific use case.
So the ideal motorcycle needs to be comfortable, needs to look good, and it should be a practical bike to own. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, you’ll be glad to see that we’ve picked out ten motorcycles that nail comfort, presence, and practicality from across segments. These range from pocket rockets to full-blown supercharged beasts.
KTM 390 Adventure R
Price: $7,699
KTM’s smallest displacement bikes have gone from strength to strength, and they are now credible copies of their bigger siblings. The 390 Adventure R is a case in point; it has been designed from the ground up to be an adventure bike, and it shows. Despite the engine being a high-revving unit, and the chassis being derived from a street bike, the fully adjustable long-travel suspension, six-axis IMU, switchable traction control and ABS, and 5-inch TFT come together to make it very usable, both in the city and off-road. Unlike some of the larger KTMs, the two-way quickshifter, Bluetooth, and navigation are standard features at the price.
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Engine Type |
Single cylinder |
|
Displacement |
399 cc |
|
Max Power |
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
28.7 LB-FT @ 6,700 RPM |
Honda CBR650R E-Clutch
Price: $9,199
The CBR650R E-Clutch is possibly the most practical sports bike if you’re looking to use it on a daily basis. The E-Clutch system makes light work of traffic, since you don’t have to use the clutch lever even when you come to a complete halt – and if you don’t like your clutch too much, you can also set off from standstill in any gear you like. The E-Clutch can be switched off as well, and standard features include ABS and a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation.
|
Engine Type |
I4, E-Clutch |
|
Displacement |
649 cc |
|
Max Power |
93.8 HP @ 12,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
46.4 LB-FT @ 9,500 RPM |
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
Price: $10,999
The CB1000 Hornet SP’s USP is its incredible value. It is priced like a premium middleweight naked, but has a liter inline four cylinder engine powering it. It also looks the business, and if that wasn’t enough, there are some incredibly tasty chassis components thrown in as standard. They include Showa SFF-BP inverted front forks, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock that is usually seen in trackday specials, and Brembo front brakes with a radial master cylinder. There is also an assist and slipper clutch with a two-way quickshifter. It is detuned for the US market, but a simple retune will see it restored to its 150+ horsepower glory.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
1,000 cc |
|
Max Power |
129 HP |
|
Max Torque |
NA |
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Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
Price: $12,499
The sub-$10,000 entry price of the Nightster is genuinely appealing, but the extra $2,500 will net you a much better, more rounded product in the Nightster Special. For the money, you get a pillion seat and footpegs, different wheels, much more attractive colors, and most importantly, a circular TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. It is identical to the base bike mechanically, comprising a trellis frame with the engine as a stressed member, Showa telescopic forks, and dual outboard direct-acting shocks. It also has the liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine with variable valve timing, a by-wire throttle, and a six-axis IMU.
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Engine Type |
60° V-twin |
|
Displacement |
975 cc |
|
Max Power |
91 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
72 LB-FT @ 5,750 RPM |
Triumph Bonneville T120
Price: $13,995
The Bonneville hadn’t had a significant update in a few years. But the kind of customer it is made for doesn’t want the latest and greatest tech in something like the Bonneville. That’s why we appreciate the latest update, which endows it with a six-axis IMU and all the safety it means. This then is a retro roadster that will turn heads because of its looks, and will make the rider smile because of the way it rides. KYB suspension and Brembo/Nissin brakes are coupled with timeless design features like spoke rims and a twin-pod analog instrument cluster.
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Engine Type |
270° I2 |
|
Displacement |
1,200 cc |
|
Max Power |
79 HP @ 6,550 RPM |
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Max Torque |
77.4 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM |
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX
Price: $18,749
The GSX-S1000GX is Suzuki’s flagship sport tourer, and it is equipped with everything you’d expect from a premium motorcycle. A six-axis IMU, electronically adjustable suspension, and smart cruise control that lets you shift gears without canceling the cruise control are all standard features. You also get a 6.5-inch TFT, and looks that make it stand out, and identify it as a Suzuki. The engine is very happy to rev, delivers grin-inducing pace from the mid-range and beyond, and the chassis, suspension, and brakes are well matched to it. But as befits a tourer, it is extremely comfortable as well.
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Engine Type |
I4 |
|
Displacement |
999 cc |
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Max Power |
152 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
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Max Torque |
78.2 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
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BMW R 1300 GS
Price: $20,395
The R 1300 GS is a common name, but it is still a head-turning sight, especially the Adventure version. The current generation has focused on being more accessible to a wider audience while retaining its unique features. As a result, it has a wider range of abilities without sacrificing the good things. The engine now has variable valve timing with even more power and torque on tap, and an automated manual gearbox is an optional extra. It isn’t cheap, with the price getting driven up by around $6,500 with the auto ‘box, but it certainly makes it infinitely more comfortable and practical.
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Engine Type |
Longitudinal boxer twin |
|
Displacement |
1,300 cc |
|
Max Power |
145 HP @ 7,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
110 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM |
Honda Gold Wing DCT
Price: $26,500
While a lot of the headlining features are present on the full-dress Gold Wing Tour, the bagger version has a more reasonable price and is mechanically identical. The seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox has a reverse speed, the suspension has electronic control, the brakes have cornering ABS and are linked, the front suspension is a double wishbone setup, and the navigation keeps working even if you enter a tunnel. Oh, and no matter how many features it has, it is reliable enough to keep going for many years and hundreds of thousands of miles without a hiccup.
|
Engine Type |
Longitudinal flat six |
|
Displacement |
1,833 cc |
|
Max Power |
125 HP @ 5,500 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
125.3 LB-FT @ 4,500 RPM |
Ducati Multistrada V4 S
Price: $29,995
Ducati has placed the Multistrada at the pinnacle of its touring bike range, and the Multistrada V4 S has a case to be at the pinnacle of all adventure touring bikes as well. It has one of the highest power outputs, despite the Granturismo engine utilizing conventional valve springs. This engine is also lighter than the V-twin it replaced, and brings to the table tech like rear cylinder bank deactivation to conserve fuel and increase rider comfort in traffic. Elsewhere, there are Brembo brakes with a radial master cylinder, electronic suspension with preload that adjusts remotely, and a 5-inch TFT color display.
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Engine Type |
90° V4 |
|
Displacement |
1,158 cc |
|
Max Power |
170 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
91 LB-FT @ 9,000 RPM |
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Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Price: $29,999
The Ninja H2 platform has been around for a very long time now, but Kawasaki hasn’t updated it significantly during that time. It doesn’t need to, either, when it has more than 200 horsepower and 100 pound-feet available. The rest of the features list of the Ninja H2 SX also reads like a current-day one, with the standard feature list including semi-active suspension, blind spot detection, forward collision warning, self-healing paint, launch control, and a two-way quickshifter.
|
Engine Type |
Supercharged I4 |
|
Displacement |
998 cc |
|
Max Power |
207 HP @ 10,000 RPM |
|
Max Torque |
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM |
Sources: Honda Powersports, Kawasaki USA