A big trip doesn't always mean a big bike - or a big budget. Sure, everything is better when it is bigger, but if saving money is your priority, then you need a motorcycle that can go the distance without breaking the bank. So it's okay if you don't have all the bells and whistles. As long as you have comfort, performance, and reliability, everything else will flow.
There is nothing better than being able to put more people on the open road on two wheels, so we've drawn up a list of touring motorcycles that balance cost and capability. Some are lightweight adventure-touring motorcycles, others are laid-back tourers, and yet others are sport tourers that reward a higher pace with a grin on your face. Here then are ten affordable motorcycles that are built for cross-country rides.
To ensure accuracy, the information compiled in this article was sourced from the respective manufacturers, as well as other authoritative sources. We've ordered them from lowest to highest price to give the list some order.
Related
10 Perfect Used Motorcycles For Budget Touring In 2025
These budget-friendly touring bikes are all ready to be your travel partner
Posts 9
10 KTM 390 Adventure X
Price: $5,899
The current 390 Adventure is a stark departure from the one it replaced, and it feels like a more complete adventure bike this time around. KTM has also divided it very clearly into the off-road-happy 390 Adventure R and the tarmac-biased 390 Adventure X. The latter gets a 19/17-inch alloy wheel setup, and the WP suspension has the same travel as the 390 Adventure R, but the only adjustment on offer is rear preload. You also miss out on adjustable levers, a third ride mode, lean-sensitive traction control, and a TFT color display. This allows it to have a really great price for the performance it offers.
Engine Type
Single cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
399 cc
Max Power
44 HP @ 8,500 RPM
Max Torque
28.7 LB-FT @ 6,700 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch
Final Drive
Chain drive
9 Moto Morini Calibro 700 Bagger
Price: $6,799
The Calibro 700 Bagger is one of the great price-to-performance bikes available today. It offers a liquid-cooled 270-degree parallel twin engine and belt drive for under $7,000, a combination that is unique for the segment. It also has an intelligent combination of features: ABS is present, as is hard luggage and a fairing. All-LED lighting and a six speed gearbox are also present. If you're on a budget but want a traditional tourer with all the useful features and none of the embellishments, the Calibro 700 Bagger is for you.
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
693 cc
Max Power
69 HP @ 8,500 RPM
Max Torque
50.1 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, slipper clutch
Final Drive
Gates carbon belt drive
8 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
Price: $7,499
The Super Meteor 650 is the very definition of 'retro' and 'stripped back'. You get an air-cooled parallel twin engine which is cost-effective to manufacture, but with a 270-degree firing order that offers great torque. Add fuel injection for those cold starts, a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch, and ABS. If you'd like to tour on one, opt for one of the two Celestial paint jobs. They're $500 extra, but they're well worth it as they add a windscreen, a touring seat with extra padding, and a pillion backrest. Finally, add the soft luggage for $670, and you'll be ready for that long ride!
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, air cooling, SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Displacement
648 cc
Max Power
47 HP @ 7,250 RPM
Max Torque
38.6 LB-FT @ 5,650 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, slipper clutch
Final Drive
Chain drive
Related
10 Most Luxurious American Cruisers For Long Distance Touring
Want to go riding for days on a cruiser? These 10 options will help you do that luxuriously
Posts
7 Honda Transalp
Price: $9,999
The Transalp is like a monocoque SUV. It looks the part, and it can even do some off-road work really well, but it is happiest on tarmac. You have 21/18-inch spoke rims, an LED headlamp, self-canceling indicators, and a 5-inch TFT display. Its highlight is the ease of riding via the 755cc parallel-twin engine we also see on the CB750 Hornet. The six-speed gearbox has an assist and slipper clutch for further ease.
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
755 cc
Max Power
90.5 HP @ 9,500 RPM
Max Torque
55.3 LB-FT @ 7,250 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch, standard quickshifter
Final Drive
Chain drive
6 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
Price: $10,099
If you're just starting your touring or adventure bike journey but have enough riding experience to not want to mess around with small tourers like the KTM 390 Adventure, the Versys 650 LT will do you nicely. It is one of the most easygoing, enjoyable, and forgiving motorcycles available today. It also helps that it is dead reliable, what with being on sale for a very long time. Of late, it has got updates that include three-level traction control, an adjustable windshield, and a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity (that means music control and navigation instructions). The factory-fitted luggage also has quick release mounts, which is nice.
Engine Type
180 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
649 cc
Max Power
67 HP @ 8,500 RPM
Max Torque
44 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds
Final Drive
Chain drive
5 Honda Rebel 1100T DCT
Price: $11,499
The Rebel 1100T is the touring version of the Rebel 1100 cruiser. Just like the Calibro 700 Bagger, it adds a fairing and luggage to an already competent product to make it highway-capable for long hours. A manual Rebel 1100T retails at 10,799, but it is definitely worth the extra $700 to get the six-speed dual clutch automatic of the Rebel 1100T DCT. For 2025, it gets updates like a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and Honda RoadSync, a better seat, and a better rider triangle.
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
1,083 cc
Max Power
87 HP @ 7,250 RPM
Max Torque
72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM
Transmission
6 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox
Final Drive
Chain drive
Related
10 Most Versatile Touring Motorcycles You Can Buy In 2025
These touring motorcycles are excellent at touring, but are also quite good at a lot of other things outside their core brief
Posts 5
4 Honda NT1100 DCT
Price: $11,899
If you like the idea of the Rebel 1100's engine and automatic gearbox but fancy your touring at a much higher rate of progress, Honda has a solution for you: the NT1100 DCT. This sport tourer has the Africa Twin's 100 horsepower state of tune, 17-inch wheel rims shod with grippy rubber, and an upright, comfy seating position that will offer all-day comfort for two. Honda has managed to keep the price down by including safety tech but leaving out a six-axis IMU.
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, Unicam SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
1,083 cc
Max Power
100 HP @ 7,500 RPM
Max Torque
82 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM
Transmission
6 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox
Final Drive
Chain drive
3 Yamaha Tracer 9
Price: $12,599
If the NT1100 DCT isn't a quick enough sport tourer for you, then have a look at the Yamaha Tracer 9. Equipped with the CP3 crossplane inline three engine, it makes more power and torque and just is an engine that is as eager as anything we've experienced. The premium over the Honda can also be explained by the fact that it has a six-axis IMU, so you get lean-sensitive traction control and ABS. Sadly, Yamaha has decided to sell only the base version of the Tracer for 2025, which has a manual gearbox and no quickshifter.
Engine Type
CP3 crossplane inline cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
890 cc
Max Power
117 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Max Torque
68.5 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch
Final Drive
Chain drive
2 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Price: $14,299
The Yamaha was quicker than the Honda and cost a couple thousand bucks more. Well, this Suzuki is a couple thousand dearer than the Yam, and is a LOT quicker. Try 150 horsepower from a de-tuned liter bike engine. Suzuki put one of these into an old liter bike chassis, gave it ergonomics that won't need a visit to the chiropractor after every ride, a seat that is comfortable for two, and electronics that are in line with the bikes of today. If you want to tour at a high rate of speed but on a budget, there is nothing better than the GSX-S1000GT+.
Engine Type
Inline four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
999 cc
Max Power
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM
Max Torque
78 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, two-way quickshifter
Final Drive
Chain drive
Related
10 Touring Motorcycles Under $20,000 Worth Considering
The most affordable touring bike in this list is also the cheapest bagger you can buy today.
Posts
1 Husqvarna Norden 901
Price: $14,899
If you want your tourer-on-a-budget to also be quite capable off tarmac, may we suggest the Husqvarna Norden 901? It has Scandinavian styling on the Austrian bones of the KTM 890 Adventure R, which definitely makes it stand out. It has a really light trellis frame, fully adjustable long-travel suspension from WP, and a parallel twin engine that churns out 105 horsepower. A six-axis IMU offers access to some of the best electronics available to adventure bikes, because the Norden 901 also offers some dedicated offroad modes for the various parameters.
Engine Type
270 degree parallel twin, liquid cooling, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement
889 cc
Max Power
105 HP @ 8,000 RPM
Max Torque
73.7 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM
Transmission
6 speeds, assist and slipper clutch, standard quickshifter
Final Drive
Chain drive