Best Bikes For Long Rides

The Mahindra Mojo had undergone extensive research and testing before the motorcycle was launched. The Mojo is offered with a 21-litre fuel tank that suits its touring purpose, along with upside down front forks, disc brakes at both ends, and a host of accessories to spec up the Mojo. The Mojo is Mahindra’s flagship offering and is powered by a 295cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that makes 26.4bhp and 30Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

The Bajaj Dominar is one of the latest motorcycles to have been launched and is the Pune-based manufacturer’s flagship. The Dominar’s engine is based on the same platform as the Duke 390, but is tuned for touring instead of out right performance. The Bajaj Dominar is powered by a 373cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that develops 34.5bhp and 35Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Bajaj Dominar 400 weighs 182kg and Bajaj claims a top speed of 148km/h.

The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is the ‘bullet’ in its ultimate touring setup. The Thunderbird 500 features forward slung foot pegs, wider, taller handlebar for a relaxed riding posture, and other top-of-the-line bits like LED tail lamps, projector headlights, and disc brakes at both ends. The Thunderbird 500 shares its engine with the Classic 500 range, which is a fuel injected, 499cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine that makes 27bhp and 41Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

The Benelli TNT 300 is one of the best bikes sold in India and is by far the best sounding one. Benelli has worked out some witchcraft to make a twin-cylinder motorcycle sound like a four-cylinder superbike, and the attention to detail is second to none. The Benelli TNT 300 is powered by a 300cc, liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine that makes 37bhp and 27Nm of torque with the help of a 6-speed gearbox. Benelli claims a mileage of 25km/l and the TNT 300 weighs 196kg.

The Royal Enfield Classic 500 features similar design language to the Classic 350 but what separates the 500 is a bigger engine displacement and a fuel injection system. The Classic 500 has been in the market for a while now and a new motorcycle commands a waiting period of nearly six months. Powering the Royal Enfield Classic 500 is a 499cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine that makes 27bhp and 41Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

The Benelli TNT 600 GT was launched along with the 600i in India and is a focused touring motorcycle with an upright seating position, tall windshield, and optional panniers that can store away luggage. The Benelli TNT 600 GT draws power from a 600cc, liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine that produces 82.7bhp and 54.6Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Also, the Benelli TNT 600 GT features a 27-litre fuel tank.

The Kawasaki Versys 650 is the Japanese manufacturer’s entry-level touring motorcycle, which features similar design language as its bigger sibling, the Versys 1000. The Kawasaki Versys 650 is based on the same platform as the Ninja 650 and shares the engine too. Powering the Kawasaki Versys 650 is a 649cc, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine that makes 67bhp and 64Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Other features include long travel front suspension, tall touring visor, and a 21-litre fuel tank.

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 is the basic offering from the iconic American brand and is also one of the best-selling motorcycles for Harley in India. The Street 750 was designed keeping in mind the traffic conditions in India. The harley-Davidson Street 750 comes with a 749cc, liquid-cooled V-Twin engine that produces 47bhp and 59Nm of torque with the help of a 6-speed gearbox. The Street 750 weighs 222kg, and makes a great touring motorcycle.

The Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 is one of the updated Avenger models that was launched in India. The Cruise is built for those who want a classic tourer, with a tall windshield and low-slung seat. The motorcycle features new body colours, a redesigned exhaust and handlebar, wider seats, and a semi-digital instrument cluster. Powering the Cruise 220 is the tried and tested engine from the Pulsar 200F. The engine is a 220cc, single-cylinder air and oil-cooled DTS-i engine that produces 19bhp and 17.5Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired to a 5-speed gearbox and returns a mileage of 53km/l.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is the company’s first take on an adventure model, with long travel suspension, and other essentials that would allow the bike to be ridden on and off the road. The Royal Enfield Himalayan is built on an all-new platform and gets a new engine as well. The Royal Enfield Himalayan is powered by a new 411cc, single-cylinder oil and air-cooled engine that makes 24.5bhp and 32Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The Himalayan also features disc brakes at both ends, along with a 21-inch front wheel, and a 17-inch rear tyre.