Today, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to touring bikes. There is a touring bike for virtually every “purse and purpose” these days, but the primary limitation will always be budget, or “purse” if you will. Most long-distance tourers are pretty expensive. The thing is, if you are planning a cross-country trip on a motorcycle, a bigger highway-oriented touring bike might not even be the best option. There are several great middleweight options on the market that are more affordable, offer equally extensive feature lists, and are all more adept at handling back roads. Some level of sacrifice on the part of your significant other is to be expected, but not so much that it will ever cause any friction. A Highly Competitive Space Triumph The middleweight touring segment is currently growing, and we now have a host of great value-oriented options at our disposal. One of the newest additions is the Triumph Tiger 800 Tour. It is one of the few motorcycles in this space with a brand-new engine, and in this fully kitted touring spec, it offers decent value. In terms of overall value, it is impossible not to consider Honda’s new NT1100. Unlike the Triumph, the bike might be new, but the powertrain is not. It boasts the same proven Unicam engine that you will find on the Africa Twin and Rebel. While more affordable than the Triumph, luggage remains optional. The Yamaha Tracer 9 Is The Best Motorcycle For Couples Riding Across The States MSRP: $12,599 Yamaha Some riders will certainly prefer sticking to highways, and in that case, a bigger touring bike will be more comfortable, especially for two people. But that loses the essence of motorcycle travel. Motorcycle travel is about seeing parts of the country you otherwise would not see in a car – which is always going to be more comfortable than any motorcycle – and a middleweight sport tourer like the Tracer 9 fits the bill perfectly. It offers luggage as standard fitment, costs well under $15k, and is more than capable of long highway stints when called upon. While on the twisty, rutted backroads, the Yamaha will come into its own. The Tracer 9 Is A “Master Of Torque” At Heart Power: 117 Horsepower Yamaha This triple started life in the MT-09, and was intentionally designed to deliver exceptional midrange performance. It is a high-performance engine for the real world, where speed limits exist. Almost all of its 69 pound-feet of torque is available from 3,000 RPM all the way up to its 10,500 RPM redline. Over the years, this triple has proven to be one of the very best powertrains in its class. Several different kinds of bikes make use of it, all offering exceptional value. Offers An Impressive Reliability Record, But There Is A Catch Yamaha This powertrain has been in production for well over a decade now and has proven to be exceptionally reliable. As it stands, there are no major issues, but mechanical reliability is the norm these days, and doesn’t necessarily make the bike stand out. What makes it “different” is actually a bit of a double-edged sword.Yamaha turned to the triple configuration for this displacement because of how it is able to deliver the low-down grunt of a twin and the top-end performance of an inline-four. Unfortunately – for the touring bike in particular – the problem with a triple is that it is impossible to balance. So, some high-frequency vibrations can be felt through the bars at highway speed. Some won’t even notice it, and others won’t be able to stop noticing it. Needless to say, a test ride is highly recommended. The Tracer 9 Offers Impressive Value Yamaha Apart from those not-so-good vibrations, the Tracer is exceptionally comfortable for both rider and passenger. It has good wind protection, standard luggage, and well-padded seats. In terms of electronic features, it certainly doesn’t leave you wanting, either. It comes equipped with ride modes, cruise control, cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction, and a big TFT dash with smartphone connectivity. Everything a modern rider might want is there, all for a price that is highly competitive. A Genuinely Underrated Touring Bike Yamaha At just 483 pounds, it is relatively light for a touring bike. This, coupled with its sporty twin-spar aluminum chassis, means mountain passes become that much more fun. While it certainly is not a sportbike – that would be the R9 – it certainly handles well, and thanks to its fully adjustable suspension, it is easy to get it set up for your weight and riding style.This is a particularly important feature for those traveling in tandem. It is easy to make minor suspension adjustments once you realize things are not quite right after you set off on your journey. No matter how good you think your estimate might be, the only time you will know for certain is once the rubber literally meets the road.Big-bore tourers are great for highway trips, and adventure bikes continue to capture the imagination all over the world, but the humble middleweight touring bike is arguably one of the most pragmatic motorcycles. It can go pretty much anywhere where there is tarmac, and adds an element of fun to any journey.The Tracer 9, in particular, is also light and nimble enough to double up as a commuter bike during the week, adding yet another string to its bow. No motorcycle is perfect, though. In the case of the Tracer 9, if those vibrations at highway speed bother you, then all these good points are pretty much rendered moot. Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications