10 all-rounders that combine functionality, comfort and fun

The right number of motorcycles to have is a matter of debate, but the answer is usually ‘as many as you can afford’. However, sometimes budget or parking space can be a limitation. Or just the amount of time you have to go riding. There’s also something immensely satisfying about a motorcycle that can handle whatever you throw at it. Whether that means weaving through traffic on the way to work, blasting down a mountain road or strolling to the next town at a leisurely pace.

Finding a motorcycle that can do it all isn’t that difficult these days, with all the options available. All you have to do is decide what type of riding you are most likely to enjoy, and then look for a motorcycle, whether adventure or touring, that will do that effectively. We have listed ten such all-rounders that combine functionality, comfort and fun!

Kawasaki Vulcan S

Price: $7,649

The Vulcan S is a great example of the kind of bike that can cover all the bases. It may be a cruiser, but it’s based on a naked bike and has the trellis frame and engine from it. As such, it’s as comfortable as a cruiser, but it also likes to corner. The drivetrain is reliable and also quite powerful. ABS is an option. It only needs the TFT screen of its siblings to turn it into a complete machine.

Honda Transalp

Price: $9,999

The Transalp is a great value purchase because for less than $10,000 you get an adventure bike that is essentially a touring bike. And it can handle off-road situations too. It has great power, a two-way quickshifter is now standard, as is a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. It also has switchable traction control and ABS, for when you want to play in the mud. The assist and slip clutch help reduce left hand fatigue in traffic.

Honda CB1000 Hornet SP

Price: $10,999

The CB1000 Hornet SP is one of the real bargains available today. Sure, it gets a lower track record for the US market, but you still get a liter inline-four engine with an assist and slipper clutch and a two-way quickshifter. You also get some great chassis components like Showa SFF-BP forks, a race-spec Öhlins TTX36 rear shock and Brembo brakes with a radial master cylinder up front!

Harley-Davidson Nightster special

Price: $12,499

The Nightster is a great value buy, but if you can throw in the extra $2,500, the Nightster Special is a much better all-around bike. It has a pillion seat and footrests, tire pressure monitor and a round 4-inch TFT display as standard. The wheel design is also different and the paint options look extremely good. The display gives you access to Bluetooth and navigation, making visiting new places infinitely easier. Of course, you also get the powerful Revolution Max 975T engine with six-speed gearbox.

Yamaha Tracer 9GT+

Price: $12,599

The Tracer 9 GT always ends up on these kinds of lists because it is a really nice motorcycle. It is also a touring car and that means it is comfortable. The footpegs may be a little too aggressive for all-day riding, but that just means there’s an astonishing amount of fun to be had in the corners. You get a six-axis IMU, so there’s cornering ABS and traction control to help. You’ll need it too, because the CP3 crossplane motor, assisted by the two-way quickshifter, is always ready to go. The 7-inch TFT display has Bluetooth and navigation as standard.

Ducati Multistrada V2

Price: $16,595

The Multistrada V2 is a Tracer 9 with Italian flavor. It has an identical engine displacement, but uses the traditional Ducati engine format. However, it has kept up with the times and has valve springs and variable valve timing on the intake valves. This means much lower ownership costs and longer periods before maintenance; all important things in a touring car. You also get the full premium experience, with a six-axis IMU, a full electronics suite and a TFT display.

BMW S 1000 XR

Price: $17,995

If the Tracer 9 and Multistrada V2 are not enough for you, you can purchase the S 1000 XR. It has the engine of the S 1000 RR, but without the variable valve timing. Still, you get more power than you’ll ever need, and a two-way quickshifter is an optional extra. You do get switchable ABS, cornering headlights and keyless ignition for that very attractive base price. You can always spec it out with BMW’s great accessories list too.

BMW R1300GS

Price: $20,275

The standard choice in the full-size adventure bike segment is so popular because it’s so good at so many things. The horizontally opposed two-cylinder engine of the R 1300 GS now has variable valve timing on the intake valves, improving torque spread and power. You can equip it with an automated manual transmission or a two-way quickshifter if you don’t want to use the clutch or gears. And you get everything that makes the big GS an icon, including the unique electronic suspension, shaft drive and a full electronics package that makes it great off-road.

Indian challenger PowerPlus

Price: $27,999

The Challenger PowerPlus may seem a bit overpriced at first, but you have to remember that this is Indian we are talking about. It offers many more features than the competition. Firstly, the PowerPlus is a fully liquid-cooled engine, giving you consistent performance. You also get an inverted front fork, electronically adjustable Fox rear suspension and Brembo brakes. Greater control is provided by the six-axis IMU, cornering ABS and traction control. Features such as tire pressure monitoring, keyless ignition, a large TFT display, Bluetooth and satellite navigation are also standard.

Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST

Price: $44,999

The CVO Road Glide ST is ostensibly a touring car, but it is infused with the knowledge Harley-Davidson gained from racing in the King Of The Baggers series. It gets a version of the Milwaukee Eight 121 engine that focuses on power for best performance, Showa suspension with inverted front forks, Brembo brakes and a six-axis IMU and Harley’s full electronics and safety suites. There may be bigger, badder, race-bred Harleys out there, but the CVO Road Glide ST is the only one that comes across as a bargain.

Sources: Harley Davidson USA, BMW USA