Bigger Really is Better!

BY: ANTHONY CAPOBIANCO   COURTESY: TOPSPEED.COM

If you examine the kinds of motorcycles you see out on the roads, you will notice that a significant percentage of them are touring bikes. According to a 2021 report by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 23% of all registered motorcycles in the U.S. fall under the touring class. While cruisers still remain the most popular style of motorcycle, the percentage of touring bikes has been consistently growing year after year while the number of cruisers has been dropping. But why is this becoming a pattern for the last twenty years? It's because as times change, so do preferences in riding styles and necessities for what riders look for in a motorcycle. Some riders want more comfort for themselves and their passengers. Others want more power. Some want to travel great distances and live out the all-American fantasy of taking a big road trip state-by-state. These days, there are even riders that want a motorcycle fully loaded with all the latest high-tech gadgets that would rival that of a new car. There are multitudes for why touring motorcycles are becoming increasingly more and more popular, so let's take a closer look at why these bikes are the hottest items on dealership lots.

 10  Touring Motorcycles Are More Comfortable

The most obvious reason for why touring bikes are in such high demand is because of the amount of comfort they provide. First, touring bikes have a larger frame, which means that they are able to distribute weight a lot greater than a sport bike or a cruiser, which both have smaller frames by comparison. In addition to its frame, touring motorcycles are often equipped with larger, cushier saddles. These come in very handy for those big cross-country road trips that require the rider to be on the bike non-stop for hours. They would be more likely to experience rider fatigue on a sport bike or cruiser in a shorter amount of time because many of them do not offer as comfortable seats or riding enhancements to protect them from the wind. Most touring bikes also come with floorboards, which provide much greater foot comfort than foot pegs. Because if you are going to be riding your motorcycle on the highway all day, being comfortable will most definitely make the experience a lot more enjoyable.

 9  Touring Motorcycles Provide Greater Wind Protection

As mentioned earlier, wind protection is a big deal for touring motorcycles. Because if you are going to be on the highway for hours without a fairing or windshield of any kind, your body is going to be taking a beating. Not to mention that they also protect the rider against dirty, debris, rain, bugs, flying rocks from other drivers, and a lot more. There are also a decent selection of fairings to choose from. Motorcycles like the Harley-Davidson Road Glide feature a Shark Nose fairing that is fixed to the frame of the bike, meaning that it is always facing forward no matter which way you turn. There is also the bat Wing fairing on the Street Glide that is positioned much closer to the rider, and turns with the direction of the handlebars. Then, for riders that prefer to keep things simple, Road Kings have detachable windshields that come in a wide range of sizes.

 8  Long-Term Ownership

Certain motorcycles come with a particular shelf life with owners before they are ultimately traded in, sold, or left collecting dust in the garage. Some entry-level bikes like the Honda Shadow or the Yamaha V Star are usually ridden between one and five years before their owner moves on to something bigger. The same can be said for sport bike riders. Some will ride a Kawasaki Ninja for a few years before getting something else or giving up motorcycling entirely. But with touring bikes, they are here for the long haul. Even your casual weekend warrior will hold onto their motorcycle for years and years before trading/selling it for something newer. Because touring bikes are made to last traveling great distances, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see a 15+ year-old bike still up and kicking around town. Because as long as you take care of it, it will take care of you.

 7  Changes In Riding Style

Personal preferences change over time. Our fashion style as teenagers is much different in our 20s and 30s. The same can be said for our choices in food, music we listen to, and people we date. The motorcycles we ride are no exception either. For most riders, we got our starts riding dirt bikes, sport bikes, or cruisers that were very user-friendly and maneuverable. Once we got enough confidence riding those bikes, some of us found ourselves wanting more than just riding around town. The highway has always been a hotbed for touring motorcycles, and many riders have envisioned themselves traveling great distances. Others may have transitioned out of the sport bike and cruiser world for something a little more comfortable. Or maybe they want to ride with a passenger more often. Preferences undoubtedly change over time, and thankfully touring bikes are here to fulfill them.

 6  There's More Room For Two

We've already established that touring bikes are the best-suited when it comes to riding great distances over long periods of time. For many of us, part of embarking on a great country-wide adventure is taking someone with us along for the ride. This is where we can owe it to the greater size of touring bikes that make it possible for two people to sit comfortably for hours without getting tired. Then there are some models like the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited or the Indian Roadmaster that are specifically designed with two people in mind. They go above-and-beyond when it comes to their comfort levels that many passengers will attest to falling asleep in the back mid-ride. Because if there's one thing you don't want on a road trip, it's an uncomfortable passenger that will undoubtedly be mad at you!

 5  Tech Features

In the year 2023, the technology being included in new vehicles is so advanced that it continues to evolve faster and faster every day. Because nearly everyone possesses a smartphone, there are more riders now that want their motorcycles to be as tech-savvy as their cars. That can include top-of-the-line touchscreen infotainment system, powerful stereo systems, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, turn-by-turn navigation, safety riding features, remote start, in-depth data on travel routes, areas of interest, detailed instrument clusters, and so much more. As expected, many newer touring models come with these features as standard equipment, and that can be a real deal breaker for some potential customers. Of course, these same customers can expect to pay up if they really want the closest thing to a futuristic space ship on two wheels.

 4  Long-Distance Riding

Like many touring bike owners, the idea of taking a vacation or spending part of your retirement by traveling the country on a motorcycle sounds like an awesome adventure. Unplugging from the busy and chaotic world that we live in and replacing that with the open road and clear skies can be quite the cathartic experience. Whether you want to go to the annual Sturgis rally, see the Grand Canyon, or just spend the weekend out riding for a few hours, it can really improve your overall outlook. Not to mention the memories you will create from riding solo, with a partner, or with a group. Because like the famous African proverb says, "if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." In other words, riding on your own is already fun. But riding with others only improves the experience.

 3  Personal Customization

For a lot of riders, touring motorcycles are not always about going on big road trips and seeing the sights. For some, it's more about self-expression and showing an extension of your personality through your bike. Many touring bikes are viewed as blank canvases that go on to be transformed into a visually-stunning art piece. While some like the above image can be a bit extreme for the average rider, touring bikes are still some of the most customizable models on the market today. Because there is a plethora of extra parts and modifications from manufacturers and third-party vendors that can make your vision a reality. Some riders want their touring bikes to be extra flashy with lots of vivid colors and chrome. Others just want them to be more comfortable by adding taller ape hanger handlebars and cushier seats. Then there are some that crave more horsepower and torque, and they want their bike to blow past every Kawasaki and Ducati they see. If you can dream it, there are parts out there that can make it happen.

 2  More Storage

Saddlebags are the main reason why touring bikes are often nicknamed "baggers." They come with at least two hard bags on both sides that provide ample amounts of storage for anything a rider will need on short, medium, and long rides. Often times they are used for storing clothing, snacks, beverages, maps, paperwork, and emergency equipment. But there will be times you'll never really know when you'll be needing them. On a motorcycle, saddlebags are something you'd rather have and not need, than need and not have. Many sport bike and cruiser owners find this out the hard way because a significant majority of their bikes don't come with any kind of storage at all. Meanwhile, the two-person full dresser motorcycles come with a third travel pack that doubles as a backrest. Again, the more storage space the better.

 1  Touring Bikes Offer More Performance

A common critique touring bike owners will hear from sport bike riders is that they are "too big" and "too slow." Most people that ride a touring bikes either don't care, or are more than happy to rub those claims in their faces knowing that many of today's touring bikes have some of the most powerful engines on the market. For many owners, speed and performance are a big priority. That is why Harley-Davidson went so far as to produce models like the Road Glide ST and the Street Glide ST by putting greater emphasis on these bikes' need for speed and throttle control by equipping them with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine that is capable of generating 106 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. Then for the truly ambitious, there is also the Milwaukee-Eight 135 Stage IV expansion kit. Definitely the engine to show everyone else who really rules the highway.

Sources: IIHS, Cycle World, Harley-Davidson,  TOPSPEED.COM, and Indian Motorcycles