What is a Touring motorcycle?
May 06 '07 (Updated Jan 17 '09)
The Bottom Line A touring motorcycle is one that will confidently and comfortably allow you to enjoy traveling your chosen road!
Conventional Wisdom
Conventional wisdom says that a touring motorcycle must weigh at least 600 pounds, make 90 bhp from at least 750 cc (or 45 cubic inches), have a fairing and windshield that provides total protection for your entire body, sport permanently mounted hard saddle bags, have a travel trunk that will hold two full face helmets, and carry both a rider and passenger in Cadillac-like comfort. It should also have heated handgrips and seat, a Bose (or similar quality) AM/FM/CD sound system (six CD changer is the goal), integrated GPS/iPod/cell phone/ weather radio intercom system, driving lights, and backrests for both rider and passenger. And to really do it right, the owner should be looking for niceties like passenger arm rests, radar detector, drink holders, auxiliary fuel tank, and a trailer. But I believe a touring motorcycle is one that can be used to comfortably tour both local and distant area paved roads. I will always leave the definitions of local and distant to the individual – it will be different in all cases!
How Do You Define Touring?
Not to be confused with sport touring, where the rider ends up looking through the butterflies, I define touring as when the rider actually looks at the butterflies! It is a mindset where the highway is not something to cover quickly, but is the path to experiencing every aspect of the environment. Dragging footpegs through switchback curves, as you would expect on a Sport Motorcycle is something done unintentionally while touring. So come up with your own definition, you will have to decide both how far and how quickly you want to check out those butterflies. Then you will be able to define what a touring motorcycle should be. In other words, I am not planning on changing your definition.
Does Size Matter Here Either?
While in the middle of my first Atlantic to Pacific ride I met a young man from somewhere east of the Mississippi River. He was riding a 350cc Yamaha with an old army duffle bag strapped to the seat. “California or bust!” had been painted on that duffle bag. Eyeing my 500 cc bike, complete with a full fairing and saddle bags, he said, “One day I will earn the right to tour on a big bike like yours.” I did not know what to say, he appeared to be enjoying the trip as much as I was, and did not look that much worse for wear. To this day I believe he was touring on his touring motorcycle. Later that same summer I met a couple from Canada in a bike shop in Washington, DC. They were sharing photos they had taken the week before in Key West, Florida. Did I mention that this smiling couple was riding a 125 cc Vespa scooter? Most every time I head out on the interstate highways I think of those folks, and hope I will have half as much enjoyment on my 650 pound 1150cc BMWRT! So once you figure out how fast you have to travel, you will know exactly how big of a motorcycle you need.
It Does Not Have To Be A Minivan, Unless That Is What You Need
Closet space is just as important to touring riders as it is to home buyers. Some can live with their old army footlocker, and others have to have a custom stainless steel kitchen sink. If you plan to stop every night either at home, the homes of friends and relatives, or at hotels, you could add a tankbag or tailpack to any acceptable size bike. That American Express Card in your wallet will cover any other needs you may have. But if to plan to spend nights in campgrounds (where you might have to bring your own kitchen and sink), or where you do not know the quality of your lodging, then those saddlebags (either soft or hard sided) will be need to complete your touring bike. Once you have made that decision, it might be a good idea to revisit the bike size again. It might need to change.
Serious Comfort
Serious comfort is a necessity for some. For those who can fight the wind blast at freeway speeds and sit on a thinly padded cushion, then whatever came with your motorcycle should be fine. But some feel, like I do, that you do not have to practice being miserable. If you do not know what to look for, then there are a few recommendations. Most all motorcycles can be fitted with aftermarket windshields and fairings. In some cases where your body does not fit that envisioned by the bike’s designers, exchanging a factory windshield for a custom formed and cut windshield could be necessary. Seats present the same problems. Since you could be sitting on it for hours at a time, it is a good idea to be sure that it fits! Again, the bike’s designers built that motorcycle with an “average” person in mind. If you are not exactly 5 foot, 10 inches tall and weigh 165 pounds, you could be uncomfortable. I look for seats that provide support to my tailbone, while cushioning the lightly padded contact area of my 142 pound body. See, I will bet my seat and windshield do not fit yours! So be sure you can be comfortable.
The Elements
Touring on a motorcycle will likely put you in positions where you have to deal with the elements – all of them. With that in mind, seriously think again about the adequacy of any windshield or fairing on your chosen mount. It can become a comfort thing. There are not many sights that can rival either the Donner Pass at sunset or the Blue Ridge Parkway at dawn. Just be sure that your bike’s built-in protection and the available storage space allow for these conditions. What does storage space have to do with it? No matter what gear I leave the house wearing, I always carry a rain suit. Yes, fog is a regular at dawn, and it can rain even in California. Those saddlebags can hold a lot of sweaters and electric vests for your comfort. If you or your passenger are cold or wet then you are no longer touring, you are surviving!
One Last Word On Maintenance
A touring motorcycle has to be able to carry you along your chosen roads with confidence. If you are worried about strange sounds coming from the engine room, then you are not touring, you are scared. A touring motorcycle has to be one that you have confidence in will take you “there” and bring you home. Remember, Surprises are more fun in your own driveway!
So What Is A Touring Motorcycle?
A touring motorcycle is one that will confidently and comfortably allow you to enjoy traveling your chosen road!
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