Top 5 Motorcycles for Long Rides Across the Country
A road trip is one of the best ways to spend the weekend; it is even better when, instead of a car, you ride a motorcycle. The open road, the wind, that sense of freedom; all of these are priceless. It is not surprising to find more and more people getting a bike and taking a long ride across the country whenever they can. It is addictive.
Of course, you need a suitable motorcycle for the long rides. You can’t just pick up an R1 or a sports bike, because this type of motorcycle isn’t the most comfortable to ride. For a road trip, you need one of the top five picks covered in this article.
BMW R 1200 RS
BMW don’t just make fine cars. Their motorcycles are just as good; very refined and comfortable to ride. The BWM R 1200 RS is a good mix of a sports bike and a comfortable motorcycle; a grand tourer, if you must.
The R 1200 RS isn’t just powerful with its 1,170cc engine, but also smooth. The engine is a DOCH twin-cylinder boxer unit, so you don’t get as much vibration from it as you would from a more conventional setup. The ride itself is further improved thanks to the use of active suspension and a balanced riding position.
Suzuki V-Storm 1000 ABS
You can guess from the name that the V-Storm has a 1,000cc engine. 1,037cc to be exact. The engine is configured to be a V-twin with 90-degree angle, which allows it to produce a whopping 99 horsepower from such a small volume.
Mounted down low, the light engine also helps with keeping the weight distribution perfect for longer rides. The V-Storm lets you sit upright thanks to its higher handle. It is a versatile motorcycle to ride since it can also handle rougher terrains without a problem.
Ducati Multistrada
There are reasons why the Multistrada from Ducati is known as the Swiss-army knife of motorcycles. If you visit the site of top dealers such as Freedom Powersports regularly, you’ll notice how quickly pre-owned Multistradas sell as soon as they are available. It’s a mile-muncher that you can count on, especially for long rides across the country.
The Multistrada uses a 1,198cc 90-degree V-Twin engine, yet the engine produces a staggering 160 horsepower. Even better, the motorcycle is relatively compact compared to its competitors, making it agile and easy to ride, even with so much power under the saddle. Don’t get me started on the suspension setup on this bike; Ducati really worked their magic with the Multistrada.
Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager
This last bike on our list is one suitable for those who want to take a road trip with a partner. Meet the Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager, a big bike with a powerful 1,700cc engine. It has a retro look to it too, which is why the Voyager is very popular in its class. You can pick one up, with ABS and all the other options, for less than $20,000. For the maximum comfort of both the rider and the passenger, this is the motorcycle to go for.