touring bikes

[kodiak61]

can anybody help!, my wife and i are fixin to retire and buy a touring bike who makes the most comfortable bike for the passenger.and the most dependable bike.any help would be appreciated.
thanks billy& diana

[geoffsimpson]

I'm not a touring guy, but with the experiences I've had and the people I know, I'm going to put money for passenger comfort on the Goldwing or Victory Vision. You have a lot of unanswered questions here though. Riding experience, budget, stowage and towing to be just a few...

[inspiron]

I've got to agree with Geoff ... there is a huge bandwidth in the touring market, depending upon what kind of riding you're planning on doing, and how much riding experience you have.

There are some nice touring bikes (for day trips, etc.) from Harley, BMW, Honda, Moto Guzzi, etc.

For a bit more sporty tour, there are the sport-touring bikes from Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph, etc.

For long-distance touring (many hours in the saddle, day in and day out), you'll probably end up looking to the Honda Goldwing or similar BMW offerings. But be prepared - a fully-loaded touring bike will cost you as much as an economy car!

[robertc729]

A Goldwing is around $23,000.00, at least the version I saw the other day was.

[Cruising Bob]

Me and the wife started out with a cruiser and it wasn't long before we moved up to a Goldwing. Nothing comes even close. Best investment we ever made for just being together and memories, but the comfort at the end of a 4 or 5 hundred mile day is a no brainer, go Goldwing with the comfort package.

[inspiron]

Well, the BMW K1200 LT lists at $21,500 ... and that isn't a bad bike either!

[Uncle B]

http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/touring_sport_touring/model.asp?ModelName=Gold+Wing+Audio%2FComfort%2FNa vi&ModelYear=2008&ModelId=GL18HPN8

[GAgirlTRIXIE]

I have a Victory Vision Tour Premium, my hubby has a '06 Goldwing Premium Sound/Comfort. We just got back from a 900 miles round trip yesterday (Savannah, GA to Central VA and back). My 11 year old son (5'4", 140 lbs) preferred riding on my Vision to on the Wing with his Dad. He said his bike was less comfortable.... When he'd start to fall asleep, I'd make him switch to Dad's bike for a little while, to wake him up.

[VaRyder]

I found the Victory Vision to be well worth its money and it is one awesome ride. Take a test ride and decide for yourself. Take your checkbook.

[ctrees]

Well, here's my 2 cents...... I didn't like how the GoldWing made me feel clostrophobic when I looked at 'em...they appear to have been addressing that with later models. My advice to you is look at the Gold standard which is the GoldWing then at Harley, then at BMW then at the new Yamaha touring bikes and any other you can try out...only you can pick the one that fits you...I can tell you that the GoldWing will give you the least amount of issues and has as much after market support as the Harley...no I don't have either, I opted for the Roadstar cruiser

[Rickster]

, Fill out your profile, and tell us a little about your riding experience, and what your expecting from the bike & we will be able to give you some better answers.

Motorcycle touring sounds real romantic, but if you don't have much riding experience there's a whole lot you need to know before you head out cross-country.

[SoCalCruisin]

I don't see it in the 2009 line up, but the Yamaha Royal Star Venture is so often over looked. It is by far the least expensive, and it comes with a 5-year warranty standard. I find it extremely comfortable for myself and any passenger I've had.

The Venture motor has always been based on the one from the V-Max which has just been completely upgraded. Rumor has it the Venture will be re-introduced in a year or two based on those upgrades. I'm sure the cost will be upgraded accordingly.

[TriumphIsMyBaby]

oooooooooo the Venture looks nice and classy. Not so plasticky looking like many touring models.