10 Sport Touring Motorcycles for Dynamic Long-Distance Riding (Honest Buying Guide)

The definition of sport touring motorcycles seems to be on the nose, these are two wheelers that combine sport bike performance with the long distance capabilities and superior comfort of tourers.

You can expect these competent machines to cover truly long journeys without taking a heavy toll on your body, and at the same time they won’t feel like heavy tanks on the road. In today’s video we will show you some of the newcomers in this class, as well as the best models currently on sale.

Other interesting content previously featured on #AutomotiveTerritory:

All entries from this #ATmotorcycles release:

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT is one of the most powerful sport tourers, as it brought in motion by a 175 hp 1.3L V-Twin engine. The bike has been thoroughly revised in 2019, getting several new tech features and add performance upgrades.

MV Agusta Turismo Veloce 800 Lusso SCS is the ultimate sport-touring bike offered by the Italian company MV Augusta. It is powered by 110 hp 800 cc 3-cylinder engine, hitting the top speed of 143 mph, and has a new Smart Clutch System.

Yamaha Tracer 900 GT replaces Yamaha FJ-09 in the brand’s sport touring lineup and comes with a number of new features, such as updated chassis, new suspension, more aggressive and practical styling, and a TFT instrument panel.

CTX1300 is a successor to the ST1300 model that is powered by its modified engine. Standard package includes LED front lights, adjustable suspension, ABS, Audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and LCD info screen.

Yamaha Niken is the first three-wheeled production motorcycle that has been long awaited by the biker market. The model has leaning multi-wheel chassis and advanced control system, and is priced at $15,999.

The BMW K 1600 is regarded as one of the best tourers on today’s market, but its agility on the road and powerful engine grant it the title of the ultimate sport-tourer as well.

The flat-twin boxer engine has been responsible for the reliable and powerful propulsion on board of the RT for more than 35 years. The 2019 model year of BMW R 1250 RT, though, is highlighted by the arrival of the all-new 1254 cc 4-valve mill.

FJR1300 is the biggest sport tourer in Yamaha’s line-up. It is offered in 2 modifications, FJR1300A and FJR1300ES, and features a 1298cc liquid-cooled 4-cylinder engine, a 6-speed transmission, and advanced brakes with ABS. In addition, FJR1300ES exclusively features electronically adjustable suspension.

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and 1000XT are sport-touring motorcycle models that ride equally well in cross-country conditions and on the road and have a comfy, upright riding position.

Leave everything you know about sport touring behind, the Supercharged Ninja H2 SX simply smashes any preexisting standards and establishes a whole new class of motorcycles called hypersport-tourers.

[UhYeahWhateverDude]

You can only get away with riding a Niken if you are a Stormtrooper. Fact.

[johnc]

I have a 2013 FJR1300. One overlooked advantage of all FJRs is that they are designed to run on regular, 87 octane (US) gas. With a 6.5 gallon gas tank, the cost differential is not that important, but I have been Out West where, for extended distances, only 85 octane gas is available.

[wrencher]

K1600GTL is the perfect continent crossing cruiser that will also eat up the mountain passes. Don’t underestimate that 6 cylinder engine and it’s sublime handling. It is big though (like me) and for many yamahas FJR (I’ve had a couple of them as well) will be and is awesome.

[enlightenedidiot]

I love my VFRs but that Ninja 1000 is awesome. Period...

[martinjohnson]

Kawasaki Versys 1000 should definitely be on this list IMO

[burnerjack]

I have a BMW K1600GTL. Amazes me every time I ride.
Almost 800 lbs. but once you get rolling, it seems to lose about 300 lbs.
Feels like a GT, but corners like a SS. Accels, well, with 160 Hp, Let's just say "it makes me smile. A lot.

[zunaidkajee]

I traded in my k1600bagger for the new goldwing. No comparison in the sport touring category imo. If you buy the bagger make sure you ride in in zero wind conditions, or else hold on for dear life.

[bastrix]

Nice combination there, thanks for the video. Kawasaki Z1000SX would make more sense than the H2, based on the riding position I guess would fit better under sport tourer definition dont you think?

[michaelgill]

Yamaha FJR 1300 is THE Only ST bike you ever need EVER

I own several bikes, including the H2 SX (for fast days) and love it but wouldn’t want to put more than 300-400 miles on it in a day despite being classified as a sport touring bike. Riding position is better than the typical sport bike and the cruise control comes in handy but doing more than 300-400 miles in a day is still going to leave you with an aching back and butt (seat is rather hard). Still, there are few bikes out there that deliver the HP and relative comfort that the H2 SX does along with the sudden rush of supercharging.

[PAULY-P]

I dont usually like sport touring bikes until i owned 2 Busas. But ive had my eye on the new H2 SX SE. What a beautiful drone/future looking bike. I love the shimmering emerald green. It pops in the sun nicely 👍. I wonder if the H2 Sx Se will take road bumps and windy days as good as the Busa....

[bampie]

There's only one hyper sport tourer in the Kawazaki range that puts all the bikes in this video completely behind it is the ZZR1400 it invented the class and is still the best sport tourer out there

[snakeman]

Sport tourers are my favourite all round bikes, I am a little on the tall side to ride your standard sport bike, but love the sport look, so for me, it would have to be the H2 sx, I am looking at getting this awsome bike next year,

[automotiveterritory]

Sport touring motorcycles can both satisfy the needs of riders, who enjoy the sporty performance and those, who occasionally do long distance rider. So here are the most exciting models that are currently available in this segment. Which one is you favorite?

[travelinben]

Based on what was shown here, and I agree with other posters that there are several other bikes that should have been included in this comparison, For value and all around capability I would choose the Tracer 900 GT.

[mikkelchristensen]

Wtf bmw k1600gtl and k1600b are not sportstouring motorcycles.

But bmw k1600gt is. 😀
And the topspeed is 265 km/h (165 mph) and 0-100 km/h = 3.1 sec (0-60 mph =3.0 sec)

[markJones-yzke]

I own a BMW rt1200&a Kawasaki z1000sx.the RT gives lower back pain&has hard seat!the sx is more comfortable, but knees hurt due to their position after a while and chain drive is not acceptable on a so called tourer!my old Honda deuville is more comfortable than any of them to be honest!

[llerradish]

You missed quite a few bikes. Kawasaki 1400, Honda vfr1200, Suzyki Hayabusa, BMW s1000xr Honda vfr1200x, Yamaha tenere, ninja 1000. And there is probably more.

[chadayotte]

03 vmax and 19 fjr I can't wait for winter to be over

[michaelksiezopolski]

How about sport-toures and adventure bikes between 300-800cc?