What Motorcycles Are Good For Long Trips?

Motorcycles are all about freedom. But the question is: how often do we really go out there and enjoy the riding experience? The truth is, most times, we’re stuck in the city street, with a short blast of fun between the lights and the occasional trip down the highway to run some out-of-town errands or visit a friend or relative in the next suburb. 

If you want to experience true freedom on two wheels, a long-distance ride is exactly what you need. The thrill of hitting the open road, with twists and turns ahead, beautiful scenery abound, and the roaring sound of your awesome exhaust is a must-have experience for every motorcycle enthusiast. However, not all motorcycles are suitable for long trips. 

You’ll need a powerful, comfortable, and easy-to-ride motorcycle with the latest safety features and additions to make the long trip more enjoyable. In this article, we’re going to share five of the best motorcycles for long-distance riding.  

Honda Gold Wing

The Honda Gold Wing is known as the mother-of-all-touring bikes. Since 1974, the Gold Wing has been the leading name when it comes to long-mile touring. With incredible handling and control at any speed, better than average fuel economy, multiple storage options, excellent braking performance, and one of the most comfortable V-twin cruiser riding positions, the Gold Wing ticks all the boxes for a long road trip bike. 

You can choose from four models and enjoy the latest tech options, including Android auto integration, Apple CarPlap, a 7-inch navigation screen, and more. The bike comes with a powerful 1833cc liquid-cooled and horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that delivers all the power you need with 126 hp at 5,500 rpm. The Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT is a great option. 

Harley Davidson Electra Glide

No touring motorcycle list would be complete without one Harley in it. When it comes to cruising in style, the ultra classic Harley Davidson Electra Glide is a worthy pick. Like many riders, you’ll fall in love with this classic’s low-key roar. It’s the perfect modernized chopper for old-school road lovers. The big screen right in the middle of the control panel is unmistakable. 

The beautiful roar of the Milwaukee Eight air-cooled V-twin engine with a displacement of 1,753cc is inspiring. The bike features all the essentials found in the latest touring bikes, including improved, adjustable suspension, an incredibly smooth ride, and LED head and fog lamps, all in a classic touring style and look that turns heads on the road. 

Yamaha Star Venture Transcontinental

The Yamaha Star Venture Transcontinental is designed to address the growing cruising and touring culture. This high-performance V-twin comes with a large air-cooled 1854 cc, 8-valve engine, 6-speed transmission with Yamaha’s latest assist and slipper clutch system, heated seats, comfy grip warmers, touch infotainment and navigation system, and advanced park assist system. 

The Star Venture Transcontinental produces smooth and effortless passing power even when fully loaded with gear. This top-of-the-line tourer combines superior performance with cutting-edge technology and comfort to ensure endless journeys. To provide an even better riding experience, you can easily adjust the ergonomics and aerodynamics of the bike. Enjoy the confident ride expected from a luxury touring bike. 

Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash

Indian Roadmaster

Just one look at the Indian Roadmaster, and you can see the classic prestige behind America’s first motorcycle-making company. The Roadmaster’s vintage appearance, form, and performance make it a masterpiece that anyone who loves classic styling will want to ride. It comes with an 1811 cc V-twin engine with no trouble moving the motorcycle even when fully loaded. 

Premium heated seats ensure maximum riding comfort. Enjoy up to 104 liters of cargo space for all your gear. It also features keyless ignition, cruise control, an adjustable windshield, an interactive infotainment system with the latest navigation options, and Bluetooth stereo. Ride in confidence and enjoy responsive handling and agile cornering all the way. 

Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS

The Vulkan 1700 Voyager is the top dog of the Kawasaki V-twin cruisers. Featuring a powerful V-twin 1,700cc engine with advanced ABS technology and cruise control, the 1700 Voyager is the ultimate show of stylish luxury and power when riding open and winding roads. If you’re looking for show stopping style and performance, this is your touring bike. 

You even get additional features like stylish, frame-mounted fairing, integrated luggage, and an intercom-headset compatible audio system. Enjoy a smooth, comfortable, and reassuring ride during long trips with the roaring exhaust from the powerful engine, highly-effective braking system, light steering, and innovative performance and tech features. 

There’s A Ride To Fit Every Rider Out There

Touring motorcycles designed for long trips have come a long way. Today, many options are available, including popular adventure bikes like the reliable KTM 1290 Super Duke GT that’s also perfectly suited for long-distance trips. However, if you’re looking to ride in comfort and style, backed by powerful performance you can always count on throughout your long road trip, V-twin cruiser bikes are the better option. 

The good thing is, with all the options available, there’s a ride for every rider out there. You can also customize your ride with aftermarket motorcycle accessories to make it your own. Whatever your riding style, our five picks above add a sense of fun to your long trip.