The Best Motorcycles for Weekend Warriors

For weekend warriors, Friday evening comes with a Clark Kent-esque transformation from mundane four-wheel commuter to insta-biker. And when they unleash their inner free spirits and speed demons, they sometimes do it on big, beefy touring bikes built for comfort over long distances. Some make their two-wheeled metamorphosis on action bikes built for the trails, others on street bikes, and others while straddling versatile multi-use bikes. This list offers something for everyone and every budget. All manufacturer suggested retail price quotes are for 2021 or most-current models.

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Starting MSRP: $6,699
The aggressive stylings of the Honda CB500F don’t misrepresent what’s inside. The redesigned engine is its most powerful yet and it delivers more low-end horsepower than ever before. It’s a comfortable bike that can gobble up miles thanks to features such as a low-height step seat. There’s also plenty of room for a passenger.

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Starting MSRP: $8,599
Yamaha describes the Bolt as a union of “old‑school soul and modern form.” It’s a fitting description of this absolutely beautiful machine. Its stripped-down, minimalist look screams out urban performance bobber, and its 942cc engine delivers on that promise. It’s highly customizable and delivers cool features such as steel fenders and a digital meter — all with a comfy upright ride.

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Starting MSRP: $8,904
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is great for weekend warriors and newbies alike not only because of the price, but because it’s a versatile bike with impressive features. It’s a powerful, stylish, fun, and all-around awesome multipurpose motorcycle. Its 645cc, 90-degree V-twin engine delivers real power at high RPMs and impressive torque in the low/mid-RPM range. It’s hard to imagine any bike offers a better package under $9,000.

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Starting MSRP: $8,699
The class-shifting Honda NC750X was designed to be a do-it-all bike, and there are few scenarios it wasn’t built to handle. Part of the reason for its impressive versatility is the Honda Selectable Torque Control feature, which lets riders adjust slip-control technology based on whether they’re riding on dirt, gravel, or wet or dry pavement.

Starting MSRP: $8,999
Any list designed for weekend warrior motorcyclists must include a three-wheel option. There are plenty to choose from, but few are more sleek, modern, and affordable than the Can-Am Ryker. Safe, powerful, and easy to ride, its power is transferred through an automatic transmission — no shifting required — and its vehicle stability system keeps all three tires on the road with outstanding traction and control.

Starting MSRP: $9,490
If you’re looking for high technology and a laundry list of modern ride-assist features, this is not the bike for you. A throwback that stands out as one of the most authentic and most affordable retro bikes on the road, the Moto Guzzi V7 holds closer to the original classic than any others in the long list of V7s in the line. Yes, it’s fully analog, but it’s also fully awesome.

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Starting MSRP: $12,000
The 800 XR is the entry-level bike in the Tiger 800 line, and tough to beat in terms of versatility. While it’s more road-oriented than the off-road XC line, the XR can absolutely keep up on the trails. It’s not the cheapest bike on the market, but the British bike has a cultlike following for a reason: You’d be hard-pressed to find a more impressive spec sheet for the price.

Starting MSRP: $13,495
Elegant, classic stylings define the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster, which comes with a cruiser rider position that’s all its own. It’s comfortable, it handles well, and its twin and single seats are fully adaptable. Its 1200cc Bonneville HT engine with Bobber tune has won the acclaim of critics thanks to its performance, sound, and massively upgraded torque.

Starting MSRP: $14,499
For the weekend warrior with an adventurous spirit, the Honda Africa Twin is a light but powerful and capable machine. The off-road-ready bike is packed with tech and Apple CarPlay compatible. Its 1,084cc engine is bigger and more powerful than previous versions and its throttle-by-wire system makes it one of the most versatile bikes in its class. For distance adventure touring, a little less than $3,000 more will get you onto the top-of-the-line Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES DCT.

Starting MSRP: $17,530
Classic West Coast style and vaulting-from-a-standstill torque are the trademarks of the all-American cruiser known as the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S. It boasts boatloads of raw power in the form of a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine with the handling and agility of a sportbike — all with a purely upright ride.

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Starting MSRP: $17,995
Anyone shopping for a bike could spend hours trying to find a bad review on the BMW R 1250 GS without much success. One of the most successful adventure bikes on Earth, new models deliver 136 horsepower and 105 foot-pounds of torque. It’s capable on the road and off, the ShiftCam control system has received all kinds of accolades for its flawless power distribution, and it’s still famously comfortable.

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Starting MSRP: $18,199
The Yamaha FJR1300 is one of the best sport-touring bikes on the market. It’s not cheap, but it certainly gives you your money’s worth. Its 1298cc four-cylinder engine delivers torque and horsepower a-plenty across the RPM spectrum. The bike is brimming with adjustable comfort features that rider and passenger can personalize, and it has a sweet menu of rider-aid technology.

Starting MSRP: $18,399
There are several options in the Versys 1000 LT line, but they’re all light, comfortable, and powerful considering their engine size. Riders cruise in an upright position and fly forward thanks to a 1,043 cc inline four-cylinder engine. Built for versatility, it adjusts automatically to ride well in the low or mid-to-high RPM ranges.

Starting MSRP: $19,599
One of the greatest do-everything bikes on the road, the KTM 1290 Super Duke is a sports bike, urban commuting bike, and touring bike all in one. It’s known for quality components, long breaks between service intervals, good comfort features such as electronically adjustable suspension and adjustable handlebars, and an impressive tank range.

Starting MSRP: $19,995
Even the cheapest Multistrada comes with the suite of safety features found on the priciest model on the line. For a few thousand more, however, you can bump up from an entry-level bike to the Ducati Multistrada V4. The brand’s motto is “expand your comfort zone,” and the V4 lives up to that concept with standard features designed for easy riding over long distances, including cruise control, riding mode, and vehicle hold control.

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Starting MSRP: $22,499
The new-and-improved Indian Chieftain has been redesigned with a more powerful engine, and a recent upgrade also solved long-standing issues with temperature regulation. Its strong, cast-aluminum frame makes for stable cornering even at high speeds, and it’s been hailed for responsive handling.

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Starting MSRP: $25,300
The Honda Gold Wing Tour has come a long way from its inception as a mid-1970s pioneer at the start of the modern touring movement. Its six-cylinder, 1833cc engine is powerful, smooth, and more than a dozen pounds lighter than on the last model. It’s packed with impressive tech features and was built for cruising in comfort over long distances.

Starting MSRP: $26,999
The powerful transcontinental tourer that is the Yamaha Star Venture packs an eight-valve V-twin 1,854cc engine that delivers high torque and casual passing power. It’s also brimming with impressive driver-aid features such as selectable riding modes, traction control, and the Yamaha Sure-Park system. Its advanced suspension and chassis are built for comfort over distance and its tech package includes an upgraded infotainment system, music, and navigation.

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Starting MSRP: $27,500
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX exists at the intersection of performance and luxury. Its powerful 998cc four-cylinder supercharged engine offers exciting acceleration, but the bike’s wind protection and comfort features make it a prime choice for luxury distance touring. There’s room for two, and it’s packed with a dizzying array of electronics and tech.

Starting MSRP: $27,745
Two passengers can chase the horizon for endless miles on the amazing machine that is the BMW K 1600 Grand America. Its powerful but smooth six-cylinder in-line engine is the stuff of legend, and even the base model comes fully equipped. It represents luxury touring at its finest and has been lauded for its nearly vibration-free ride at highway speeds.

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Starting MSRP: $28,729
The legendary line of Harley touring bikes contains more than a dozen models — including the perennially bestselling bike in the country, the Street Glide — starting at around $19,000 and climbing into the mid-$40,000s. In the middle is the Road Glide Limited, a fully loaded behemoth that offers an upright ride, floorboards, saddlebags, infotainment, and a passenger seat backrest. Best of all is the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine that backs up all that comfort with plenty of power.

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Starting MSRP: $30,499
The Indian Roadmaster isn’t cheap, but it is a testament to the get-what-you-pay-for philosophy. Powerful, balanced, and beautiful, the touring bike’s Thunderstroke 116 engine generates 126 foot-pounds of torque for a purring ride no matter the speed and impressive power in the low RPM range. Its cast-aluminum frame is light and strong, the bike is well-balanced, and its two-up premium seats are plush, cozy and fitted with independent heat controls.

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