7 Best Sport Touring Motorcycles You Can Buy for Around $10,000

I’ve spent a lot of years chasing the perfect balance between a bike that carves canyon roads and one that can swallow 400 miles before dinner. That bike is the sport tourer, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets in motorcycling.

The good news is that you don’t need a $20,000 budget to get one. With about ten grand, new or used, you can have a legitimately great machine. I’ve picked the seven bikes I’d actually spend my own money on.

Prices shift with model year, dealer fees, and market conditions, so treat every number below as a ballpark. I’ll flag where a bike sits slightly above or below the line.

How I Picked These Bikes

I judged each bike on the things that matter after hour three of a ride: ergonomics, wind protection, range, luggage options, and engine character. Spec-sheet horsepower matters far less than how a bike feels at 75 mph with a headwind.

I also weighed reliability and running costs. A touring bike that spends its life in a shop isn’t much use to anybody.

My Budget Rules

I counted a bike if it’s available new for roughly $10,000, or if a clean used example fits under that figure. I marked used picks clearly. I also kept one slightly-over-budget bike on the list because dealer deals can make it work.

1. Triumph Tiger Sport 660 — Best Overall for the Money

If someone asked me for one bike to buy at this price, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 would be my answer. It starts around $9,600, which leaves a little room for accessories.

The 660cc triple makes about 80 horsepower and a flexible 47 lb-ft of torque. That sounds modest, but the three-cylinder soundtrack and smooth pull make it feel far more exciting than the numbers suggest.

Why I Love It

The upright ergonomics are all-day friendly, and the adjustable windscreen does a respectable job of calming the air at highway speed. Traction control and ride-by-wire are standard, and the weight stays manageable at around 450 pounds wet.

The tank holds roughly 4.5 gallons, and I’ve seen real-world range well beyond 200 miles. Triumph also sells a deep accessory catalog, including panniers, heated grips, and a centerstand.

What Could Be Better

The suspension is basic, and two-up riders will want to dial in preload. Still, for solo weekend rides, it’s hard to beat. If that sounds like your style, my guide to the best motorcycle for solo touring goes deeper.

2. Yamaha Tracer 7 — Best Value Long-Distance Sipper

The Yamaha Tracer 7 is the bike I recommend to people who want to ride a lot and spend very little. Depending on year and trim, it sits right around or just under ten grand.

It’s built around Yamaha’s 689cc CP2 parallel twin, which makes about 73 horsepower. The engine is famous for its torquey, linear power and excellent fuel economy.

Real-World Touring Manners

Yamaha gave the Tracer 7 a fairing, a manually adjustable windscreen, and a comfortable upright seating position. It weighs around 430 pounds, so it’s easy to flick through traffic or turn around on a tight road.

I’ve had it humming along at 80 mph and still returning mileage in the mid-to-high 50s. That kind of efficiency makes a huge difference on long trips.

Where It Falls Short

Passing power at highway speed is adequate rather than thrilling. The stock seat can also get tiresome after four hours. An aftermarket seat and a set of soft bags fix most complaints.

If your budget is tighter than ten grand, this is also a strong candidate for the best cheap motorcycle for touring.

3. Kawasaki Versys 650 LT — Best Bags-Included Package

The Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is the “grab your keys and go” option. The LT trim comes with color-matched saddlebags from the factory, which saves you hundreds of dollars right away.

It usually lands right around the ten-thousand-dollar line, give or take a few hundred depending on the model year.

What Makes It Work

The 649cc parallel twin makes roughly 65 horsepower with a friendly, forgiving delivery. It isn’t fast, but it pulls cleanly from low revs and doesn’t fight you in traffic.

The tall windscreen, plush upright ergonomics, and long-travel suspension make it feel like a mini adventure bike on pavement. The fuel tank is roughly five gallons, so range is excellent.

My Take

It’s more relaxed than sporty. If your rides are 70 percent highway and 30 percent twisties, I think it’s a fantastic fit. If you want a hard-edged canyon carver, look further down this list.

It also pairs nicely with the kind of gravel-adjacent routes I describe in my breakdown of the best motorcycle for adventure touring.

4. Honda NT1100 — Best Stretch Pick if You Can Flex the Budget

The Honda NT1100 sits a little above ten grand, typically around $11,000 for the manual version. I include it because dealer promotions and the occasional leftover-model deal can bring it into range.

Honda borrowed the 1,084cc parallel twin from the Africa Twin, and it produces roughly 100 horsepower with an impressive wall of torque.

Why It Earns a Spot

Cruise control, heated grips, and a large fairing with a manually adjustable screen all come standard. Add the roughly 5.4-gallon tank and you have a serious mile-muncher.

Honda also offers its excellent dual-clutch transmission as an option. I love it for commuting and long highway slogs, though it pushes the price further beyond ten grand.

The Trade-Off

At around 530 pounds, it’s heavier than the others here. It’s very stable at speed, but low-speed parking-lot maneuvers take more care. For riders who plan on crossing continents, though, it makes a convincing case.

If your dream trip involves crossing the Atlantic and renting a bike, take a look at my picks for the best motorcycle for european touring too.

5. Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX (Used) — Best Used Performance Tourer

Here’s where buying used gets exciting. A clean, lightly used Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX from the 2020 to 2022 era often hovers right around ten thousand dollars.

Its 1,043cc inline-four makes about 140 horsepower, and it’s one of the smoothest, most refined engines in the class.

Why I’d Buy One

You get cruise control, a TFT dash on newer models, an IMU-based traction control system, and multiple power modes. The adjustable windscreen is surprisingly effective, and the seat is comfortable for long days.

This is a genuine sport bike in a touring suit. It carves canyons with real authority, then settles into a quiet 75 mph cruise.

Used-Buying Advice

Check the service history, look for matching tires, and make sure the chain and sprockets aren’t worn out. A well-maintained Kawasaki four-cylinder will run for ages. I’d budget a few hundred dollars for fresh fluids and brake service right away.

6. Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (Used) — Best Comfort-Focused Powerhouse

The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT costs a bit more than ten grand new, but a lightly used one slides comfortably into the budget. It’s my favorite “sleeper” in this list.

Underneath is a 999cc inline-four derived from Suzuki’s K5 GSX-R engine, putting out around 150 horsepower. It’s silky, strong, and unbelievably easy to ride.

Touring Credentials

The fairing is large, the seat is plush, and the wind protection is among the best here. You get a TFT display, cruise control, a quickshifter, and a full electronics suite with traction control.

Its tank holds around 5.3 gallons, which means fuel stops are rare. It feels planted and calm, even when you start riding it quickly.

The Catch

Fuel economy is just okay, and it’s not as nimble as a smaller bike. Still, I think it’s one of the best used values in the segment. Add a set of side cases and it’s ready for a big adventure like those in my guide to the best motorcycle for touring alaska.

7. BMW F 900 XR (Used) — Best Used Premium Feel

The BMW F 900 XR arrived in 2020 and quickly became one of my favorite mid-size sport tourers. Clean used examples now trickle into the ten-thousand-dollar range.

It uses an 895cc parallel twin making about 105 horsepower, with strong midrange pull and a sporty personality.

What Sets It Apart

BMW’s build quality, brakes, and suspension feel a notch above its price point. Many used models come with optional packages like cruise control, heated grips, riding modes, and dynamic traction control.

The ergonomics are upright but athletic, and the bike feels light in corners. I found the windscreen a little short for taller riders, so a larger aftermarket screen is a smart upgrade.

Ownership Considerations

Maintenance costs run higher than the Japanese bikes on this list, so I’d look for a bike with a documented service history, or one still under a certified pre-owned warranty. It’s the “treat yourself” pick.

How to Choose the Right One for You

Every bike here is good. The right one comes down to how you ride. Here’s the quick way I’d narrow it down.

If You Want the Easiest, Cheapest Ownership

Choose the Yamaha Tracer 7 or Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. Both are efficient, reliable, and affordable to maintain.

If You Want the Most Fun

Go for the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 if you want new, or the Ninja 1000SX if you’re happy buying used. Both reward you on twisty roads.

If You Want Maximum Comfort

I’d pick the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT or the Honda NT1100. They’re the most relaxed at highway speeds.

Budget Tips Before You Sign Anything

Account for Accessories

Luggage, a taller screen, and heated grips can easily add $500 to $1,500. I always set aside that money before I commit to a bike.

Don’t Skip the Inspection

If you’re buying used, a pre-purchase inspection is cheap insurance. Check tires, chain, brake pads, fork seals, and any recall work.

Test Ride, Always

Seat comfort and windscreen buffeting are intensely personal. I’ve loved bikes on paper that gave me a sore neck after an hour. Spend at least thirty minutes on any bike before you buy.

My Final Thoughts

You really can build an incredible touring life around a ten-thousand-dollar budget. If I had to choose just one new bike, I’d take the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 without hesitation.

If I were shopping used, I’d happily put a Ninja 1000SX or GSX-S1000GT in my garage. Pick the one that fits your riding, fill the tank, and go see something new.

Frequently Asked Questions