TOURERS

The humble touring motorcycle is pretty much just that. A motorbike designed for long distance travel. Touring bikes commonly have large displacement fairings, large-capacity fuel tanks and larger windshields coupled with an upright seating position and less need for top-end horsepower. THey've picked up a range of nicknames throughout their time such as Bagger, full bagger, full dresser, full dress tourer or just dresser which aren't always used favourably! The terms date back to the original Harley Davidson tourers or oldschool cruisers that featured saddlebags, panniers or luggage as most bikers taking long-range trips will invariably need a change of clothes, supplies etc.

We can futher sub-categorise the tourer into three distinct categories:

FULL-DRESS TOURERS

Again, referring to the luggage and storage capability, these usually feature integrated box storage, paniers, large fairings and a range of comfort options such as FM Radios, CD Players, heated seats, GPS, air bags etc. Designed for comfort over speed and acceleration, where practicality often trumps style. However, saying this there are many iconic tourers that are still highly respected such as the Honda Gold Wing, the BMW R1200RT and the Harley Davidson Electra Glide.

ADVENTURE TOURERS

The concept of an adventure tourer is pretty much the same as a dual-sport motorbike. Bikes that are designed for mult-purpose that can be used off-road with heavy torque output but with the long range features you'd expect for a tourer such as larger fuel tanks, large displacement, hard luggage storage areas and unique elements such as protective skid plates to protect engine areas when used off road. Typical examples include the BMW R1200GS, the KTM 900 Adventure or the Suzuki V-Strom 1000.

SPORTS TOURERS

Another hybrid of the tourer, is the sports tourer. This time it's a long-distance bike that offers a trade-off between comfort and the performance of a sports bike. Long distance riding at higher speeds is what these bikes offer, however many riders struggle to find the perfect sport tourer simply because the balance between speed and comfort is hard to find. Most manufacturers will generally only make one sport touring model (apart from Honda who went for 2, oh and BMW who have at least 4!). Most ship without hard luggage, only offered as an option with many riders opting for aftermarket extras and custom additions.