Touring Motorbikes: 6 Important Features to Consider

If you are ready to embark on some thrilling adventures, a touring motorbike will be a memorable investment. Touring bikes are great modes of transportation, especially for solo travelers. But before you get one, you need to make sure that the motorbike has all the right features for an incredible ride. 

1. Windshields

With a windshield on your bike, you can go long distances without getting exhausted. A windshield will help keep away bugs and protect you from rain and dust. You can focus on your ride and continue your speed without something flying into your face or helmet. Windshields also help prevent back pain and strain by blocking off strong gusts of wind. Use large Harley Davidson motorcycle windshields so you can skip the fatigue and enjoy the ride. 

2. Fuel Capacity

Unless you plan on carrying fuel containers, your motorbike’s fuel capacity is critical to consider. Depending on where you’re traveling, you might not find gas stations close enough together, and you don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road without gas. Choosing a touring motorcycle with a large fuel tank is critical so you won’t make any unnecessary stops and delay your road trip. 

Explore options with at least 25 liter fuel tanks so you can get a better fuel range. This will give you peace of mind on your trip and offer the flexibility to scout different routes. You can plan your journey according to what feels good at that moment, rather than worrying about your proximity to the next gas station.

3. Seating Position

The comfort of your ride greatly depends on your motorbike’s seat and your riding position. Long trips on a stiff seat can cause soreness and early exhaustion. The seat height of your motorbike affects how comfortable you will feel during your bike journey. Most touring bikes have wider seats to make sitting easy for long distances. Make sure that the seat height is accessible according to your height and weight. Tweaking the suspension settings can lower the seat height of your bike, but it also impacts the bike’s performance. 

For more comfort, you can add a seat pad on top of your bike’s original seat. Gel cushion pads offer painless support and help you relax your muscles. 

4. Engine

Touring motorbikes need strong engines to carry luggage—and sometimes an extra passenger—over long distances. Most touring motorbikes come with 500-2000 cc engines. Inline-twin engines are good for off-road terrain and can accelerate faster than single cylinder bikes. These engines are usually quieter and you feel less vibrations while driving when compared to v-twin engines. These engines are popular in touring motorbikes due to their effective power-to-weight ratio and the good balance as a result. They also provide more legroom in comparison to bikes with other types of engines.

5. Cruise Control

With a cruise control system on your bike, you get the chance to relax and stretch your muscles, especially on a stable terrain. Touring motorbikes with cruise control let you reserve your energy and admire your surroundings. 

In cold and rainy weather, the cruise control on a bike lets you maintain your speed without feeling sore. You can also be fuel efficient and prevent gas wastage from otherwise constant speed changes. By making your commute easy and comfortable, you can reach your trip milestones faster. If you’re exploring a US state, you can even get a USA travel map pinboard to encourage future travel plans. 

6. Saddlebags 

Saddlebags are necessary so you can carry all of your essentials safely. Carrying luggage on your back can strain it and tire you out quickly. Make sure that your bike’s saddlebag is durable and water resistant to keep your belongings safe regardless of the weather and the terrain. If you want to buy a saddlebag for your motorbike, keep the measurements in mind. Saddlebags should be big enough so you can store your gear, but also sized appropriately so you can place them at least 2 inches away from your bike’s exhaust. You can also match the color and material of your saddlebags to match how your motorbike looks.

Whether you’re looking for your first touring bike or looking for a newer model, these tips will help you choose the right model for your road trip needs.