Out of the hundreds of motorcycles we have at our disposal these days, there are not actually that many that you can say are genuinely smooth. In general, motorcycles offer a more visceral experience, and some level of vibration through the pegs and bars is to be expected. Singles, triples, and even twins – albeit to a slightly lesser extent – cannot be perfectly balanced, and there is always some level of vibration to deal with at highway speed. While the rotary engine also promised buttery-smooth performance, it died a long, miserable death after several manufacturers failed to find a way to make it reliable enough for public consumption.So if you want a smooth-running motorcycle, a multi-cylinder bike is most often the answer. Six-cylinder engines offer near-perfect balance, but are expensive to build, and only a couple of manufacturers still offer them. The inline-four is a long-time favorite of the motorcycle industry, largely thanks to the fact that it is relatively affordable to manufacture, smooth, and offers immense performance potential. As such, most of the bikes on this list make use of an inline-four, and while there are a couple of sixes, there is one that is smoother than they all. Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX MSRP: $13,999 Kawasaki Both this and the Versys 1100 make use of the same smooth-running inline-four. While the more dedicated touring bike might offer more features, the Ninja 1100 SX just offers so much more value. Although it is a ninja by name, it is very much a sport tourer, with all the usual electronic bells and whistles.KawasakiBut just like several other bikes competing in this class, luggage remains optional. If that is a deal-breaker for you, the next bike on the list is what you should eye instead. Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ MSRP: $14,399 Suzuki Cycles The GSX-S1000GT+ does get luggage as standard fitment. It also gets a host of nice-to-have tech, but misses out on the IMU you get with the Kawasaki. The GSX-S1000GT+ makes use of the old K5 GSX-R1000 engine, which has been reworked for street use. With 150 horsepower on tap, it offers incredible bang for the buck.SuzukiIt is also worth considering the underrated GSX-S1000GX+ crossover if you are after more features. That is quite a bit pricey, though, since it is a much newer creation by Suzuki. The heart of the matter remains the same. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R MSRP: $17,599 Kawasaki We would love to include the Concours 14 here, but sadly, it went off sale first. The self-proclaimed “quarter-mile king” is just as reliable and just as smooth on the highway. It will, however, require a more aggressive riding posture, but it certainly isn’t as aggressive as the latest Ninja liter bike.KawasakiThe price is also quite tempting, considering you actually get more performance than the ZX-10R in terms of usability. With no 2026 model announced, it appears as though this will be the final year of production for the venerable speed queen. BMW S 1000 XR MSRP: $18,825 BMW Motorrad In recent times, the sports bike-on-stilts formula has become pretty popular, and the S 1000 XR was one of the first bikes in this class. It offers impressive value compared to its direct rivals, with electronic suspension and a host of other comfort features as standard. While its 170-horsepower inline-four certainly makes this relatively light sport tourer a little heavier on the “sport” side, it is equally at home on the highway. BMWThe price is quite sweet, right in the ballpark of rivals like the GSX-S1000GX+, while still offering more performance. BMW also offers an endless assortment of accessories to sweeten the pot. Suzuki Hayabusa MSRP: $19,499 Suzuki Cycles Over the years, the Hayabusa has matured into a very different kind of sports bike compared to the first-generation machine that stole all the headlines way back in 1999. Today, this speed queen is far more relaxed.SuzukiSuzuki has leaned into the sport touring potential of the bike, adding a host of modern electronics to the platform that make it both safer and more comfortable than ever. Small touches like a roomy riding triangle, a low seat height, luggage hooks, and impeccable wind protection make its case even sweeter. Zero DSR MSRP: $19,995 Zero Motorcycles Electric motorcycles have not quite caught on as quickly as we thought they might. While several smaller companies got seduced by the performance potential of bigger bikes, it is actually at the other end of the spectrum – urban commuting – where the technology holds the most potential. Bikes like the DSR are few and far between, and it is easy to see why.Zero MotorcyclesWhile there is no denying how smooth an EV is at highway speed, only being able to cover around 100 miles is not practical for what is supposed to be a touring bike. In reality, it isn’t really a touring bike at all; it is just a really comfortable, really fun commuter. Unfortunately, it is fantastically expensive for a commuter. BMW K 1600 GT MSRP: $26,885 BMW BMW is the only motorcycle manufacturer offering an inline-six engine. It goes into several bikes, and the GT serves more as a placeholder for any one of these impressive machines. If you want a smooth-running tourer, you can’t really go wrong with any of them, all offering a different level of luxury depending on your budget.BMWThe only downside is precisely why BMW is the only manufacturer that persevered with this engine configuration. That is the fact that the bikes are all pretty wide. Filter at your own risk here! Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE MSRP: $29,999 Kawasaki A supercharged touring bike might seem counterintuitive to some, but it is actually where Kawasaki’s unique supercharged engine shines brightest. This is not an engine that likes to move slowly; it needs as much air flowing through it as possible and is most certainly most at home on the highway.KawasakiAll the usual touring features are also present, but it certainly is not as luxurious as either of the six-cylinder bikes on this list. This will certainly fly past anything on the road, while still keeping you super duper comfortable. That's not something its rivals can say! Honda Gold Wing Tour Automatic DCT MSRP: $30,500 Honda You can pick whichever trim you like. We just went for the trim that best represents highway touring. Even though this is a $30k motorcycle, it is still one of the most popular touring bikes in the industry, and this fact says more about the bike than we ever could.HondaIt is an incredibly comfortable machine, and its flat-six is pure butter. The one bone of contention might be its DCT transmission. While automatic motorcycles are becoming more popular, it makes the Gold Wing feel even less like a motorcycle. A Forgotten Legend: 2024 Yamaha FJR1300ES MSRP: $18,299 Yamaha Technically, the FJR1300ES has already gone out of production, and was also briefly removed from the US website. Yamaha must have stumbled upon a secret stash in a dealership somewhere because, as quietly as it went away, it then returned, but still only as a 2024 model.YamahaOver the years that this 140-horsepower monster has been in production, it has won over legions of fans thanks to how comfortable it is, both on the highway and back roads. The ES in its name brings fancy tidbits like electronic suspension, which remain rare at this price point even today.Source: Various Manufacturers
