Tourer Bikes In India

What is a Tourer Bike?

A touring bike or a tourer bike is an informal category of motorcycles that are designed to be ridden for long distances at a stretch. These bikes are capable of sustaining triple-digit speeds for hours on end without any major strain on the engine or the rider. Of late, many motorcycle manufacturers have been introducing a slew of tourer bikes in India. Continue reading to find out more about this category of motorcycles including its various advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros and Cons of Adventure Tourer Bikes 

As with any other motorcycle, a tourer bike also has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Getting to know what they are can help you determine whether they’re right for you or not. So, let’s take a look at the different pros and cons of this category of motorcycles. 

Pros of Adventure Tourer Bikes 

1. They are perfect for long-distance riding

As you’ve already seen before, a touring bike is designed for riding long distances. Everything from seat comfort to the riding triangle is set in a way that enables you to travel as many miles as you can without too much stress or fatigue. 

2. They have good ground clearance 

Almost all of the best adventure tourer bikes in India have impressive ground clearances ranging from 180mm to about 220mm. This allows the vehicles to easily clear even the most challenging speed breakers and even navigate tough terrain with ease, which is a major requirement for touring. 

3. They have powerful engines

Except for a few, most of the tourer bikes in India come with extremely powerful engines that are above 350cc. One of the many benefits of having such high-capacity engines is that the bike remains relaxed and doesn’t overheat even when you’re riding at triple-digit speeds. 

Cons of Adventure Tourer Bikes 

1. They can be very heavy 

One of the major demerits of adventure tourer bikes is their weight. A large number of the best touring bikes in India weigh near about 200 kilograms or sometimes even more than that. This makes it challenging to drive at low speeds and in traffic. Also, manoeuvring through tight spaces also becomes a bit tough.

2. They’re not very fuel efficient

The combination of a high-capacity engine and a heavy chassis leads ensures that touring bikes deliver less than impressive mileage figures. Depending on the motorcycle you opt for, the fuel efficiency may range anywhere from 18 to 30 kilometres per litre of fuel. 

Top 10 Best Touring Bikes in India

Now that you’ve seen what tourer motorcycles are and their various benefits and drawbacks, let’s take a look at 10 of the best tourer bikes in India that you can get right now. 

1. BMW G 310 GS

One of the many adventure tourer bikes in India is the G 310 GS from BMW. Featuring big-bike styling, this particular motorcycle is a dual-purpose vehicle that’s very well capable of going off-road and cruising on highways. Here’s a quick look at the technical specifications of this motorbike. 

2. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 

The flagship motorcycle from the stable of Royal Enfield is the Interceptor 650. The super-refined parallel-twin engine makes it one of the best tourer bikes in India for budget-conscious individuals. The bike features a long and plush seat that ensures that you don’t feel fatigued even after long riding sessions.  

3. Suzuki V-Strom SX

The best adventure tourer bike in India for those on a tight budget, the Suzuki V-Strom SX with its high ground clearance is more tuned for off-roading. However, the bike is also more than capable of being ridden on the highways for long distances. One of the advantages of the bike is its lightweight, which makes it extremely easy to handle.

4. Honda CB500X 

If you’re interested in both going off the road and cruising on well-paved highways, then the Honda CB500X may just be what you need. This motorcycle gets a large 17.5-litre fuel tank, allowing you to travel farther than other motorcycles on a single tank of fuel. The bike gets adjustable suspension on both the front and the rear, which can be tuned for different terrains.

5. Kawasaki Versys 650

If power is what you need, then the Kawasaki Versys 650 is right up the list of the best touring bikes in India. Thanks to tubeless tyres, you won’t have to worry about tyre punctures derailing your journey. The dual-disc brakes on the front with ABS provide adequate stopping power and ensure that the bike doesn’t skid even when braking hard. 

6. Yezdi Adventure

Rivalling the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Yezdi Adventure is an adventure tourer that’s designed to go almost anywhere. Featuring plenty of mounting points on both the front and the rear, this motorcycle allows you to carry a lot of stuff with you on your trip. 

7. KTM 390 Adventure

Featuring the same engine as the KTM Duke 390, the 390 Adventure is an off-road-focused motorcycle. That said, the bike is more than capable of being ridden for long periods on the highway. Thanks to around 200 mm of ground clearance, you shouldn’t find it difficult to drive through different terrain, potholes, and speed bumps. 

8. CFMoto 650MT 

Among this list of tourer bikes in India, the CFMoto 650MT generates the most power from its parallel-twin engine. The powerful nature of this engine makes it the perfect contender for long-distance cruising. The long windscreen at the front of the bike effectively deflects wind when travelling at high speeds ensuring stability throughout.  

9. Benelli TRK 502

The Benelli TRK 502 is another one of the off-road focused tourer bikes in India. The bike gets several noteworthy features like dual front disc brakes with ABS, luggage mounting points, upside-down forks, a high windscreen, and an analogue-digital instrumentation console. The split seats on the bike are very comfortable for both the rider and the pillion. 

10. Royal Enfield Himalayan 

One of the most popular low-cost adventure tourer bikes in India, the Himalayan from Royal Enfield is a capable off-roader as well as a mile-muncher. The 411 cc engine of the bike generates a lot of torque on the lower end of the engine RPM, making it very easy to ride. Also, thanks to the slim and light chassis, the motorcycle is easy to ride amidst heavy traffic. 

Conclusion

And so, there you have it - 10 of the best tourer bikes in India. Now, irrespective of the bike that you choose to purchase, always make sure to get a comprehensive motor insurance plan for it. It will not only help you avoid unnecessary issues with the traffic authorities but also ensure that you stay financially protected in the event of an accident involving your bike.