Ask an expert what the number one consideration should be when selecting a touring motorcycle, and he or she likely—and not surprisingly—will say comfort. "No one’s going to tour on anything they’re not comfortable on," says Mike Ferrendelli,, who has been riding motorcycles for more than four decades, and whose job is to keep them running well. He’s the service manager for the Sedona, Ariz., outpost of EagleRider, the motorcycle rental and touring company that has franchises throughout the world. Ferrendelli is also a Harley-Davidson factory-trained mechanic.
Other issues to consider, says Ferrendelli, are how well the bike protects you from the elements with its windshield, fairings, and other design components; how many other comfort- and convenience-oriented features it has—heated handgrips, communication devices, GPS systems, and so forth; and the amount of luggage and storage space it offers.
Ferrendelli says you also should bear in mind what type of riding you plan to do. Bikes can handle differently from each other, and some are better suited for certain types of touring. "If you plan to run down the interstate at 80 mph from Arizona to Chicago, a Harley would be perfect," he explains. "But if you plan to tour mountaintops, you’re looking at a different type of ride. For the twisties, a sport tourer might be better."
Here’s a look at some new touring bikes and trikes, with notes on their comfort- and convenience-related features.
Lehman Trikes Victory CrossBow
Comfort/Convenience Features: “No Lean” suspension system, deep bucket seats, extra-large floorboards, wind-blocking fairing, electronically adjustable windshield, 5 cubic feet of storage space, removable touring pack, MP3-compatible audio system, controls for digital displays and audio system on handgrip
Engine: 106 cu in/1,731 cc air-cooled Freedom V-twin
Color Options: Black, pearl white, sunset red
Starting Price: $34,000
BMW K1300GT
Comfort/Convenience Features: Heated seats, heated handgrips, cruise control, side cases with a combined 8.2 gallons of storage capacity, luggage rack, electronically adjustable windshield, electronic suspension adjustments, tire-pressure monitor
Engine: Liquid-cooled, in-line, 1,293 cc, 4-cylinder
Color Options: Magnesium beige metallic, royal blue metallic, red apple metallic
Starting Price: $19,150 ($22,600 for the premium package, which includes most of the aforementioned features)
Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Comfort/Convenience Features: Heated leather seat with separate temperature adjustments for rider and passenger, heated handgrips, cruise control, leather passenger backrest with adjustable lumbar support, navigation system, rider/passenger intercom, Harman/Kardon audio system, XM satellite radio
Engine: Screamin’ Eagle twin cam, air-cooled 110
Color Options: Choice of four two-tone color schemes, each featuring a flames motif
Starting Price: $36,000
BRP Can-Am Spyder RT-S
Comfort/Convenience Features: Electronically adjustable rear suspension, electronically adjustable windshield, iPod-compatible audio system, touring saddle with lumbar support for the rider and a backrest for the passenger, cruise control, heated passenger handgrips, 50 gallons of storage space
Engine: Rotax 991 V-twin
Color Options: Timeless black, orbital blue
Starting Price: $25,000
Victory Vision Tour
Comfort/Convenience Features: Dual-zone heated seats, heated handgrips, wind-blocking full-coverage frame fairing, electronically adjustable windshield, cruise control, 29 gallons of storage space, MP3-compatible stereo, XM satellite radio
Engine: 106 cu in/1,731 cc air-cooled Freedom V-twin
Color Options: Solid black, solid pearl
white, two-tone ocean blue, and sandstone metallic
Starting Price: $23,200
Big Dog Motorcycles Bulldog
Comfort/Convenience Features: iPod-compatible sound system with marine-grade Alpine receiver, locking and leak-proof fiberglass saddlebags with a combined 2 cubic feet of storage capacity, nitrogen gas shocks, fastback seat, driver and passenger floorboards, ergonomically designed pullback handlebars, optional two-up touring seat with removable backrests for the rider and passenger
Engine: Rubber-mounted EFI 111 cu in, 45-degree V-twin
Color Options: Dozens of different schemes and graphics
Starting Price: $39,900