10 motorcycles that offer both long-distance comfort and cornering fun

Sport-touring motorcycles have long been the standard choice for riders looking for a motorcycle that can ride and travel. In the past, these were almost always compromised motorcycles, because comfort and performance are usually mutually exclusive. You’d either get a very sporty bike that felt like the luggage was simply added as an afterthought by the marketing department, or something sluggish that never quite grasped the whole ‘sports’ concept.

These days, riders can really have their cake and eat it too. There are some truly spectacular bikes on the market that offer a host of comfort features, yet are still exhilarating on a canyon road – or track, for that matter. The only catch is the price.

To give you the most current and accurate information, the data used to compile this article comes from authoritative sources such as Kawasaki USA, MV Agustaand BMW Motorrad. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

MSRP: $37,995

Ducati sells this purely for the purists among us. This particular V4 comes straight from the Panigale superbike. As a result, it demands a $5,000 premium on the equally good Pikes Peak. Only the Ducatisti will find a way to justify spending that kind of money on a bike that is only incrementally better than the Pikes Peak on the track. As a touring bike, the Pikes Peak has its number.

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Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak

MSRP: $32,995

The Granturismo V4 already delivers more power than you will ever need on the street. In terms of touring characteristics, it literally has everything a modern motorcycle can have. It even has the same semi-active Öhlins suspension as the RS model. Still, this is a lot of money, and realistically, even though it’s two bikes in one, you can still get two great bikes for the same price.

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BMW M 1000 XR

MSRP: $25,475

While the difference in actual performance between this and the two more expensive Ducatis may not be as great in the real world as it is on paper, it is still the most powerful of the three, and cheaper. It will certainly be cheaper if you’re willing to resist the temptation to tick one of BMW’s infamous options boxes. One wrong move, and suddenly the price could soar out the window.

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MV Agusta Turismo Veloce Lusso SCS

MSRP: $20,598

Looks are always a subjective subject, but the Turismo Veloce is objectively a stunning motorcycle. We think it’s one of the nicest bikes on the market today, but it’s also incredibly expensive for a middleweight. Of all the bikes on this list, it actually has the best chassis and is relatively light – the stated weight includes the saddlebags – but with “only” 110 hp it is completely outgunned.

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KTM 1290 SuperDuke GT

MSRP: $20,499

As if it’s just to underline how hopeless the MV really is: you can get this runaway Austrian for almost the same price. KTM calls it the ‘long-distance beast’ thanks to the fact that it runs on the same platform as the 1290 Super Duke, which has long been called the beast. That’s appropriate considering the beast takes on an Italian beauty. The raw character of that wild naked bike is somewhat tempered by all the extra comfort features, including an advanced semi-active suspension.

Specifications

BMW S 1000 XR

MSRP: $17,995

In an attempt to put things into perspective, this is half the price of the aforementioned Multistrada V4 RS. It’s certainly not half the motorcycle. The only place where one of the more expensive bikes will feel superior is the track. The S 1000 XR still has an extensive electronics package and numerous modern comfort features. In short, this middle-of-the-road option is anything but average.

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Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX SE

MSRP: $15,799

This is by some margin the most comfortable Ninja Money you can buy. On the outside it proudly wears the Ninja name, but on the inside you’ll find a reworked version of the old Z1000 engine. Thanks to the fact that it’s optimized for mid-range performance, it’s a lot punchier than any other Kawasaki inline-four. The SE version gets an improved rear suspension, which will make a difference on the twisty parts.

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Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

MSRP: $15,490

The V100 Mandello continues to fly under the radar, even though it is perhaps one of the most elegant sports tourers money can buy. Its signature transverse V-twin may be part of the reason it flies under the radar, but its unconventional layout is more suited to a touring bike. It’s one of the reasons why it has a low-maintenance shaft drive – just like BMW’s boxer twins – and it ensures more efficient cooling of the heads. With 115 hp it is no slouch either.

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Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

Suzuki has effectively reinvented an outdated platform by adding a host of comfort features, including advanced electronics, wind protection and hard cases. Underneath it all lies the beating heart of an old superbike. With a little encouragement, the old superbike will still make the occasional cameo appearance, scaring the crap out of you when that appearance is unexpected. Fortunately, traction control is standard.

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KTM 890 SMT

MSRP: $13,949

This has a pretty serious supermoto vibe, largely because that’s what the name stands for: supermoto touring. As you might imagine, this is a seriously fun motorcycle that’s far more interested in making you laugh than doing boring things like being reliable. KTM claims to have resolved the camshaft issues on the LC8c engines, but only time will tell if these bikes will offer any semblance of long-term reliability.

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