There are very few companies that do touring bikes better than those in America. Sure, big names like Honda and BMW have come seriously close. But we can argue that the raw, larger-than-life experience in American bikes can’t be replicated by them. Thus, if a long road trip is in your plans, an American touring bike is what you should consider.
And in 2026, this segment is flourishing with impressive bikes. That is largely thanks to a massive overhaul of the Grand American Touring range by Harley-Davidson. But we also have some impressive machines on offer by Indian. Without further ado, let’s jump in.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Price: $24,999
At its sub-$25,000 MSRP, there are very few touring bikes that can offer the package you get on the Street Glide. This includes a large-capacity American V-twin engine, proven Showa underpinnings, and a head-turning design. Topping this is oodles of comfort, courtesy of the handlebar-mounted fairing and relaxed riding triangle.
However, there is a catch. For the base price, you get a different seat with less lower back support and no passenger accommodations. Adding the thicker two-up seat takes the cost straight to $26,999. A bit steep if you ask us.
10 American Motorcycles With Engines That Just Won’t Die
From classic V-twins to modern thumpers, these American motorcycles have engines so reliable, they just won’t quit.
Indian Challenger
Price: $27,999
The Challenger is Indian’s answer to the Road Glide. It follows the same recipe by featuring a chassis-mounted fairing, hard saddlebags, and long handlebars. Why should you pick this, then? Well, because the comfort and performance are better here. The saddle appears visibly larger, the suspension is more modern, and the saddle height is lower than that of the Harley.
As for performance, you get a fully liquid-cooled engine here with 122 horsepower (7 more than the Harley). Additionally, Indian also has a PowerPlus 112 engine option. That bumps the output to 126 ponies.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Price: $27,999
Unlike the Street Glide, there’s no single-occupancy version of the Road Glide. Thus, its base price sits at just under $28,000. For the money, you get largely the same mechanical package as the Street Glide. This includes the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, H-D’s touring frame, and Showa suspension.
But the key difference is in the ergonomics. You’re shielded by a sharknose fairing here, with your hands on swept-back handlebars. The bars are also considerably higher than the Street Glide, so you can expect a more laid-back riding position here.
Indian Roadmaster Powerplus
Price: $32,499
The Roadmaster is Indian’s budget-friendly full-dress offering. So you get a large top box, fairing lowers, better pillion comfort, and a larger windscreen over the baggers. Like the Challenger, you get two liquid-cooled engine options (108 and 112), and we think you’re better off with the latter here.
If you don’t like the Powerplus, Indian also has other versions of the Roadmaster for you. These are called Roadmaster, Roadmaster Limited, Roadmaster Darkhorse, and Roadmaster Elite. All of them are based on the previous-gen Roadmaster, armed with the Thunderstroke air-cooled mill.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Limited
Price: $32,999
The Street Glide Limited is the full-dress version of the Street Glide. That means extra comfort for the rider and the pillion, courtesy of the bigger seat, fairing lowers, sizable floorboards, and a larger windshield. The pillion benefits further, as the Tour-Pak top box has cushioned back support and armrests.
Under the skin, the mechanical package is identical to the Street Glide. The same Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, Showa suspension, and alloy wheels are present. You should know the weight is considerably higher here, though.
Forget The BMW R 1250 RT Or Honda Gold Wing – This Is The Touring Bike You Need
The BMW K 1600 B is what you’d get if the R 1250 RT and the Gold Wing had a baby, and it inherited only the best bits of each.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
Price: $32,999
In bagger form, the Street Glide undercuts the Road Glide. But that’s not the case in full-dress form. Both bikes cost the same, so the decision boils down to your personal preference. The differences are the same as the bagger versions, though. You get a frame-mounted sharknose fairing here, followed by taller and more swept-back handlebars than the Street Glide Limited.
Elsewhere, things are identical. Right from the engine to the underpinnings, both bikes have the same equipment. Heck, even the color options are the same. As we said, it comes down to personal preference.
Indian Pursuit Elite
Price: $44,999
If you want a top-drawer American full-dress touring bike with a liquid-cooled engine, the Pursuit Elite should be your pick. There are a few reasons why, starting with the price. At under $45,000, you save nearly $6,000 over Harley’s CVO full-dresser bikes here. That doesn’t mean any serious catch, either, as the Pursuit Elite is properly loaded to the brim.
In fact, this is the only full-dresser American tourer that has radar functions as standard. These include blind spot detection, collision warning, and tail gate warning. All this is in addition to impeccable comfort features like movable armrests for the passenger, quilted seats, special floorboards, an adjustable windscreen, and heated seats.
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
Price: $49,999
Speaking of the CVO siblings, the CVO Street Glide is the first one. It focuses more on comfort than performance, as you get the Milwaukee-Eight 121 VVT engine here. That means less power and torque but a better spread across the rev range for improved tractability.
As for comfort, Harley-Davidson has thrown in its special hand grips and footboards (from the Carbide collection). These join hands with a thick saddle for both the pillion and the rider. Rockford Fosgate speakers further up the swagger.
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Limited
Price: $51,999
Like the regular Street Glide Limited, the CVO version is essentially a full-dresser model of the CVO Street Glide. The big difference is the presence of comfort-oriented bits like fairing lowers, a rider backrest, a tall windscreen, and back support for the pillion. The latter is thanks to the Tour-Pak top box.
Under the skin, you get the same 121 VVT engine, housed in the same double-cradle chassis. This is topped with USD forks, dual disc brakes, and alloy wheels–all identical to the non-Limited model.
10 Touring Bikes That Marry Rider Comfort With Passenger Luxury
These bikes prioritize both rider and passenger comfort, featuring plush seating, ample storage, and top-notch amenities for long-haul rides
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 3 Limited
Price: $54,999
Imagine you dig the CVO Street Glide Limited, but you don’t want the hassle of balancing an uber-heavy motorcycle. That’s where the CVO Street Glide 3 Limited comes in. It is everything the CVO Street Glide Limited is, but with the added convenience of a three-wheeler. That means no need to worry about balancing the bike, no matter the scenario.
Additionally, you get a large trunk here instead of the dual saddlebags. This allows over 2 cubic feet of extra storage capacity compared to the two-wheeled bike. The only notable catch here is the over-1,200-pound curb weight, which will surely hinder performance from the 121 engine.