Sport tourers represent the pinnacle of engineering and design. They blend in the performance of a sport bike with the long-range capabilities of touring motorcycles. Away from the misconception that tourers prioritize comfort over speed, they are sportier, faster, comfy, and lighter. Speed is vital even for long-distance riders. From design to utility features, you get an all-rounded sport-touring package.

The bikes are a powerhouse as they pack the right punch for all-day or night touring. And they perfectly strike a balance between all the features, making them stand out among riders. Since they’re born of sport and touring models, sport-touring motorcycles are an ideal investment for manufacturers and riders alike. From Yamaha to KTM, here are some of the fastest touring bikes in the world.

RELATED: Top 10 Fastest Touring Motorcycles in 2022

10 Yamaha Tracer 900 GT – 144 MPH

Yamaha Tracer 900GT in black
Yamaha
Side and front view of a black Yamaha Tracer 900 GT

First on the list is a Japanese grand tourer. Based on the naked MT-09 nomenclature, the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT won’t disappoint on the road. It has a 847cc triple that produces 113.5 horsepower and 87.5 pound-feet of torque. It’s a proven tourer that offers reliability, comfort, and performance.

Yamaha prioritizes rider comfort and performance as the Tracer has great fairings for wind protection, an ideal riding position, and a well-balanced chassis for optimal performance. And given that the Tracer 900 GT is lightweight, you’ll have a best of both worlds, performance-based tourer at a base price of $12,999. It offers great value for money.

9 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ – 150 MPH

Suzuki GSX
Suzuki
An epic side shot of the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT in action.
 

Many expected the GSX-1000GT+ would have a top speed of 183 MPH or thereabouts like its predecessor, the Suzuki GSX-S1000F. But it seems the engineers had different plans. The 999cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC inline-four engine makes the GT+ effortlessly fast with a top speed of 150 MPH. Having won the 2022 Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year, this lightweight sport tourer deserves a standing ovation for surpassing riders’ expectations. The GT+ has full fairings for superb aerodynamics and wind protection for the rider to enjoy a comfortable, yet thrilling touring experience.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Touring Bike

8 BMW K 1600 GT – 162 MPH

BMW K1600GT riding shot
BMW
BMW K1600GT riding from right to left

The BMW K 1600 GT has high-end touring details, such as adaptive LED headlights, a large TFT display with smartphone connectivity, and perfect aerodynamics for long-distance touring. The adjustable seat height is handy for long-range tourers, as you can ride all day without straining your back or shoulders. This luxurious bike sports prime touring features without sacrificing performance. The in-line six-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower and 132.7 pound-feet of torque.

7 Kawasaki Concours 14 – 165 MPH

Kawasaki Concours 14 in black
Kawasaki
Studio shot of an all-black Kawasaki Concours 14.

With a rich history of delivering highly reliable bikes with blistering performance, Kawasaki is a household name to riders worldwide. The mighty Concours 14 clocks 0-60 in just 2.9 seconds, thanks to its 16-valve, inline-four-cylinder engine that produces an impressive 158 horsepower and 100 pound-feet of torque.

The Concours borrows heavily from the Kawasaki ZX-14R, albeit with raised handlebars, panniers, and a more upright riding position for a more comfortable long-distance ride. With a flawless chassis tuned for touring and great aerodynamics, the Concours 14 will surpass all expectations. It’s a fast, powerful and reliable touring machine.

6 Ducati Multistrada 1260 S – 165 MPH

Ducati Multistrada 1260S with panniers
Ducati
Side view of a white Ducati Multistrada 1260S with panniers

The Multistrada, which translates to many roads, is an icon in sport touring. One of the fastest tourers from Ducati, the bike has calmer chassis dynamics, long-range capabilities, and top-notch handling. Even though the Multistrada appears bulky, it has perfect aerodynamics and an upright riding position for all-day comfort. The semi-active suspension constantly adjusts in the background and goes almost undetected, giving you a smooth ride.

Undoubtedly, the GT is for riders who love touring without sacrificing performance. And it offers more than meets the eye. From tire pressure monitoring systems, excellent chassis and suspension, saddlebags, heated grips, and plush seats, the Multistrada is one of the best tourers to gift yourself.

RELATED: Fastest Cruiser Motorcycles Under 1000cc

5 BMW S 1000 XR – 170 MPH

BMW S1000XR riding shot
BMW
BMW S1000XR pair cornering

Based on the infamous RR high-performance engine, the XR is a work of art that blends power, comfort, and performance for an exemplary touring experience. It features a more relaxed riding position, outstanding ergonomics, and perfect fairings that bring out the sporty aggressiveness of the XR. You’ll be sure to turn heads thrashing the potent inline-four-cylinder engine.

4 Yamaha FJR1300ES – 172 MPH

blue Yamaha fjr1300es
Yamaha
Side view of a rider touring on the 2023 Yamaha FJR1300ES.

Perhaps one of the oldest tourers on the list, the FJR1300ES has been around for over two decades. Powered by a 1298 cc inline-four, DOHC engine, this sport touring king has much to offer.

With adjustable ergonomics, wind protection, heated grips, and plush seats, the FJR1300ES is a darling to many tourers. The Yamaha FJR1300ES is famous for reliability and world-class performance, as its engine produces 142 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque.

RELATED: 10 Fastest Production Motorcycles Currently On Sale

3 Honda VFR1200X – 175 MPH

Honda VR1200X studio shot
Honda
Side view of a red Honda VFR1200X

Powered by and incredible V4 engine, the VFR1200X is an excellent choice for long-distance riders. Given that Honda is a household name in the touring world, you can only expect the best from them.

And while its V4 engine produces 127 horsepower, this machine sports great aerodynamics, making touring effortless. It has an excellent riding position, and the chassis dynamics are perfectly crafted to enjoy the beauty of touring. Sadly, Honda discontinued the VFR1200X among other models in 2021 as Euro5 came into effect.

2 Suzuki GSX-S1000F – 183 MPH

Suzuki GSX1000F studio shot
Suzuki
Front and side view of the Suzuki GSX-S1000F

This masterpiece from Suzuki dominated the sport touring world from 2015 to 2021 until it was replaced with the aforementioned GSX-S1000GT in 2022. This Japanese sport touring legend has superb ergonomics and excellent chassis dynamics for long-distance travel. Although it has a sportier riding position, it's not extreme to cause fatigue or backaches while riding.

So why did Suzuki replace this powerhouse with the GSX-S1000GT? According to Suzuki Cycles, the 2022 GT upgrade aims to offer riders more control, power, and agility while maintaining international emission standards.

1 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT – 187 MPH

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
KTM
Action shot of a KTM 1290 Super Duke GT. 

Powered by a V-twin, LC8 engine, the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT can clock 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds. With a governed top speed of 187 mph, the Super Duke GT only understands one language, speed. The bike features excellent wind protection, perfect ergonomics complemented by a sporty riding position, and a well-positioned seven-inch TFT dashboard for easy navigation.

KTM ensures your ride on the world’s fastest tourer is also reliable. The titanium inlet valves and other high-end components provide world-class reliability as the bike allows service intervals of 15,000 km (9320 miles). With electronically-adjustable suspension and a larger fuel tank for long-range capabilities, you’ll be in for a treat on the Super Duke GT.