When talking about the best motorcycles in the market, many people consider the power and speed the primary determinants. While those are important, different types of motorcycles require additional features to be considered best. Horsepower, chassis build quality, suspension, top speed, and zero-to-sixty times are excellent features of a bike, but what about comfort, luxury, and such features that make long-distance rides enjoyable?
While many people want to enjoy a motorcycle ride alone, sometimes it is good to have that feeling with a partner, a friend, or anyone close enough to share it with. Not all motorcycles are built for two-up riding, and even those that are, only a few consider the importance of comfort. As such, the following are the best passenger-appropriate motorcycles available.
9 Honda Gold Wing
The Gold Wing is one of the coolest Honda motorcycles ever made, and for ages, this cruiser has set the bar for passenger accommodations. The bike comes with a potent, buttery smooth engine and ample carrying capacity for the pilot and passenger.
As years go by, Honda keeps upgrading the Gold Wing to make it better and better, and when they updated it in 2018, fascinating features were added. The flagship tourer now had a double-wishbone suspension, enhanced aerodynamics, and came with exciting connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Honda Gold Wing is a rolling fortress, a safe pick for taking a loved one on a road tour.
8 BMW R1250 RT
For those interested in sports and adventure touring bikes, the BMW R1250 RT is the best option. And it is pretty unique. Unlike the silent torque beasts most luxury cruisers have, the R1250 RT comes with a 1254 cc boxer twin engine that has, over the years, been refined to the smooth beast of a machine it is today.
The bike's rear suspension is adjustable on the fly to give the passenger a comfortable ride instead of being shaken to bits. The suspension also makes the pillion seat a little plush compared to the pilot's seat that is tightly attached to the gas tank. The BMW R1250 RT makes mountain road rides quite fun for riders and passengers.
7 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
For the American V-twin diehards, the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is the best choice. This bike has everything suitable for a two-up riding adventure. It features a tall windshield and lower leg fairings to provide the pilot and passenger a luxurious cocoon to ride on. The Boom! Infotainment system is designed to keep the occupants entertained no matter how long the journey is.
To ensure the passenger's comfort, the Ultra Limited comes with a top case pillion with a backrest and the large six-gallon fuel tank is there to ensure the journey is not cut short due to fuel shortage.
6 Suzuki V-Strom 650
Going off the beaten trail for adventure is a superb idea, but going across trails searching for the best camping site far from civilization sounds brilliant. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is the best motorcycle to cross from trail to trail — what makes this bike even more exciting is that it comfortably accommodates two people.
Suzuki didn't build this bike as a dedicated off-roader, despite it being a workhorse. However, it gets the job done more comfortably than the models built for that purpose. Its seats are designed with luxury in mind — they are built to soak up bumps and shocks for both the pilot and the passenger.
5 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic
The classic retro-style theme has been finding its way back into the market for a long time now. With the Vulcan 900 Classic, Kawasaki decided to jump both feet into the deep of this segment. The bike comes with several classic features, including the riding positions of the rider and the passenger.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic riding position requires the pilot and the passenger to be well known to each other; for a more comfortable ride, the passenger needs to hug the pilot right from the back with their hands tightly around them. The Vulcan 900 Classic features a low rider seat and cruiser-style forward controls to leave enough space over the rear for a comfortable pillion seat.
4 Yamaha Tracer 700 GT
Even before the GT models are mentioned, the standard Tracer 700 is already a touring-worthy motorcycle. It comes with an excellent engine that pumps out 72 horsepower and 49 lb-ft of torque. The GT models complement the standard version by making it perfect for two-up riding. The Tracer 700 GT is highlighted by two 20-liter panniers and a tall, wide windscreen.
The comfortable seating of the new Tracer 700 GT makes it a touring-ready motorcycle and a pillion-friendly bike. It is powered by Yamaha's renowned CP2 parallel-twin engine, making it even more approachable and fun to ride, two qualities that make two-up riding an enjoyable experience.
3 Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
When Triumph developed the new Tiger 900 platform, it divided it into on-road and off-road riding segments. The 900 GT prioritizes the platform's touring capabilities, and the Pro trim makes it even better. Triumph offers premium upgrades to make it more passenger-welcoming. Such advancements include an electronically adjustable rear shock, heated seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Triumph's range of mid-size touring bikes may be divided into off-road and on-road capabilities, but that is a dichotomy that makes the Tiger 900 GT Pro a better passenger-appropriate motorcycle.
2 BMW F750 GS
The F750 GS is positioned right between the Honda Gold Wing and BMW R1250 RT, that is, between the luxury and sport-tourer segments. This BMW comes with a soft and comfortable sporty seating position for the rider and a pillion seat with BMW's classic comfort. The passenger also has quick access to footpegs for a more comfortable ride. The rear seat also has a nice cushion and easily accessible grips if the passenger wants to stretch back and relax during a long ride.
As expected from any BMW, the F750 GS comes with a massive list of electronic aids and passenger comfort items. In addition, the F750 GS is equipped with several safety features, including an all-weather Dynamic stability control system, except snow. And these are just some of the bike's components.
1 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is the bike for the old school diehards. Riders who can't get enough of the nostalgic feeling of riding the good old classic motorcycles. The Interceptor 650 is outfitted with a long, comfortable bench seat for riders and passengers. The bike also has a rear fender loop and low-mounted footpegs for the passenger.
Powered by an air/oil-cooled 648cc parallel twin with 47 horsepower and 38.6 lb-ft of torque, the Interceptor 650 is the ideal bike for a first-time two-up riding experience.