Long distance touring is one of the best getaways for the youth of India. The sense of freedom is a kind of addiction that makes the tourers do it again and again. Even though there are very few choices in the Indian motorcycle market for affordable long distance touring machines, we have carefully chosen 5 of the best motorcycles that will give you the best performance during the longest of your journeys without burning a hole in your pocket.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Royal Enfield is a well-established name in the long-distance touring market. The Himalayan was launched only last year, and since then, there is an infinite number of the bike on the road. The Himalayan is India’s first affordable adventure motorcycle. The high ground clearance of 220mm makes it an SUV on two-wheels.
The Himalayan also comes with additional touring friendly features like saddle bag hooks on the rear, engine and sump guard, tank protector and relaxed seating posture. The Himalayan is powered by 411cc, single-cylinder, the oil-cooled engine that produces a maximum of 24.5 bhp and 32 Nm of torque.
Bajaj Dominar 400
The latest motorcycle from Bajaj has become the flagship of the company. The Dominar is quickly gaining popularity in the market for all the right reasons. The sports cruiser, Dominar 400 is one of its kinds motorcycles from Bajaj. The bike’s relaxed and upright seating posture with high and wide handlebar position gives the rider a comfortable seating position for hours of the ride.
The Dominar also features a low-slung seat, which can be used by riders to place their feet firmly on the ground during difficult terrains. Dominar 400 also comes with a very potent engine. The single cylinder 373.3cc engine is derived from the KTM 390 Duke. The engine has been re-tuned to produce 34.5 bhp and 35 Nm of torque at a very low end, making it easy to ride.
Mahindra Mojo
The little-known motorcycle from Mahindra is deemed as one of the best touring machines in the budget segment. The Mojo gets a very different riding position, which is neither relaxed nor aggressive, it sure does take the time to get used to Mojo’s seating, but once you do that, the brilliant smoothness and capabilities of the motorcycle will blow you.
Mojo comes with twin-pod headlamp set-up that helps the rider to see better at night. The 295cc, single cylinder engine is very smooth and churns out a maximum of 27 bhp along with 30 Nm of torque. The motorcycle is mated with 6-speed gearbox, which keeps it calm on the long highway rides. The best part of the Mojo has to be the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres. The soft compound rubber keeps the motorcycle stable during high-speed corners and makes it a fun motorcycle to ride.
Honda CBR 250R
Honda CBR 250R is a tried, and tested bike can go for miles without stopping. Even though the bike is named as CBR, Honda has designed the motorcycle as smaller VFR, Honda’s flagship touring machine. CBR 250R’s fairing along with big windscreen helps the rider from the wind blasts. The bike itself is extremely comfortable to ride without any vibrations. The full seat also helps the rider to go for a long distance without stopping.
Yamaha FZ25
The Yamaha FZ25 is the latest Yamaha motorcycle in India. It is also Yamaha’s first offering in the 250cc category in the country. The FZ25 looks aggressive and gets many parts inspired from the smaller sibling FZ version 2.0. The motorcycle gets all-LED headlamps and a very comfortable riding position. The bike is powered by a 249cc oil-cooled plus air-cooled engine that churns out a maximum of 20.4 bhp. The power may look like to be on the lower side for a 250cc motorcycle but no other bike in the segment can beat Yamaha because of its smoothness and reliability.
