At present, adventure bikes dominate both sales charts and marketing budgets. It is perfectly understandable that these bikes have such a broad appeal. But, for those of us uninterested in that kind of “adventure”, traveling on a motorcycle is significantly more comfortable on a dedicated touring bike.Every rider will have a certain set of features in mind for their “ultimate” touring bike, but the first basis that simply needs to be covered is reliability. Nothing is more frustrating than getting stranded far from home because of an avoidable mechanical failure. Add wind protection, a comfy seat, and maybe cruise control, and what you will get is one of these affordable touring bikes. BMW R 1250 RS MSRP: $15,995 BMWOver the years, the boxer-twin has had its fair share of issues here and there. It is, however, fair to say that the 1250 version has had every possible kink worked out. The R 1250 RS is a premium bike, but this is a 2024 model and there will be no replacement. So, we feel that as much as this sport-touring bike sits right on the edge of what can be defined as “affordable”, you will soon be able to find a good deal on one with dealers looking to get rid of old stock. Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello MSRP: $15,490 Moto GuzziThis is not your average Italian motorcycle. It might look like one – it really is gorgeous – but that transverse V-twin is tuned for torque delivery as opposed to overall horsepower and has proven to be pretty reliable so far. It also doesn’t interfere with your knees like you might think. Wind protection is far from perfect, but the electronically adjustable windshield will take most of the wind off of your chest in its highest setting. Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ MSRP: $14,299 Suzuki CyclesOne look at the sub-$15k market will reveal a plethora of Suzuki motorcycles. It is a part of the market they seem to have exclusive rights to, and that is largely down to a few aging, but still very good, inline-4 engines. The old K5 GSX-R1000 engine finds a home in several bikes, but it is here in the feature-rich touring model that we feel it offers the most value. For us, this is the most balanced touring bike on the market right now. Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX MSRP: $13,699 KawasakiThe marketing department might say that it has a new engine, but simply increasing the displacement does not make it new. It is an engine that has been with us for well over a decade and, like most Kawasakis, it is very reliable. The Ninja name is also slightly deceptive, because it is far more “Versys” than “Ninja” in terms of touring comfort, features, and performance. It has lost a few horses this year, but that has allowed for a few more pound-feet of torque at the low end. Yamaha Tracer 9 MSRP: $12,599 Yamaha MotorsportsAs much as we would just love to include Triumph’s highly rated 800, it is still hard to say how reliable it will be. The CP3 that you will find in the Tracer has been around for well over a decade now and has been refined into one of the most reliable platforms industry-wide. Yamaha made no effort whatsoever to cover up that black square where the radar should go, reminding everyone that this is indeed the more affordable option. BMW F 900 XR MSRP: $11,995 BMWIf adventure bikes are the SUVs of the motorcycle world, then tall sports bikes like this are the crossovers, and if anyone knows how to make a crossover, it has to be BMW. This year, the 900 platform also got a small bump in power, up from 99 horses to 105. At this base price, the bike offers unbelievable value for money. Honda NT1100 MSRP: $11,899 HondaAlthough this might be new to the US, it is not a new bike, and has been selling well throughout Europe for some time now. It offers a laundry list of touring features, including Honda's famous DCT transmission, for an unbelievable price. Few new motorcycles offer comparable value at the moment, and we are sure Honda has a winner on its hands here. Kawasaki Versys 650 LT ABS MSRP: $10,099 KawasakiFor those who don’t expressly need more than 100 horsepower, the middleweight Versys offers great value. The only criticism anyone is ever able to level at it is that it is a little boring. Which isn’t a bad thing at all when, in this context, it actually translates into unerring reliability, impressive comfort, and respectable performance. Triumph Tiger Sport 660 MSRP: $9,695 TriumphA recent update resolved pretty much any perceived issues with the 660. One of those issues was a lack of cruise control. The Tiger Sport 660 actually costs less than the Versys, yet offers an altogether more interesting triple. This reworked version of the old Daytona 675 engine has certainly lost some of its hard performance-oriented edge, but it has become decidedly more reliable and won’t let you down. Honda NC750X MSRP: $9,499 HondaIf you were to ask us what the most practical motorcycle on the market is, the NC750X would be it. DCTs are most certainly not for everyone, but there is absolutely no denying how effective it is on a touring bike. After covering hundreds of miles over a weekend, it can then neatly double up as a commuter. Like the Versys, it is often also criticized for being a little boring, but when boring is this good, who cares?