Touring motorcycles mean different things in different parts of the world. Here in the U.S., a touring motorcycle is something engineered to sit at 80 miles an hour all day long. It is supposed to cocoon you from the wind blast at that speed, and it has to have the torque that will make overtaking and going up inclines with your pillion and luggage effortless. But things get tricky when you bring other aspects, like daily riding, into the mix.After all, the typical American touring motorcycle is a lot of motorcycle with massive fairings and is really impractical for anything but the open road. They are too heavy to go off-road, and they are definitely too big and wide to ride on the commute. What do you do then? Well, you pick something from across the border, and we have a prime example that nails the real-world riding balance. There Are Touring Motorcycles That You Can Daily YamahaThe European and Japanese idea of a touring motorcycle is far more well-rounded. If you are looking for something more than just touring on the highway, of course, that is a function of the fact that Europe has much shorter distances and much narrower roads than we have here. However, these motorcycles can be genuine targets for single-bike garages because they are nimble and small enough to deal with the commute in rush hour, and they have the power and legs, not to mention the comfort, to do an all-day ride should you choose to do so. The kind of options there are also very interesting simply because of how varied they are.HondaConsider the Honda NT1100 DCT. It is a full-size touring bike with a mid-size price, available as standard with Honda's famous dual-clutch automatic gearbox. So riding around in traffic is really easy. It also has all the safety features you would want from a touring motorcycle. The only negative that we can possibly think of is that the looks can be a little polarizing to some, and the 100-horsepower output might not be enough if you have a pillion and luggage and are going to spend multiple days on the open road.A KTM 1390 Super Adventure S riding in the dirt at a racetrackThe KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo is a touring-oriented ADV example. It is available for order and has an automated manual transmission with park mode. Being a KTM, it has a very high specific output and a high overall horsepower figure as well, so it has performance and speed. But we do know that big KTMs can be a little finicky when it comes to reliability, so this wouldn't be our first choice if we had to ride it daily. That brings us to the motorcycle we'd recommend: BMW's current-flagship sports bike-type tourer. The BMW R 1300 RT Automatic Is Well-Suited For Real-World Riding BMWIf you are looking at something for the real world, BMW touring bikes would definitely be high on our list. Their ability to cope with different weather conditions and situations is matched by the convenience they offer through features in the R 1300 RT, which is a touring motorcycle that has logic and luxury in equal measure. The most important feature is the optional automated manual transmission. So not only is this a sport tourer that can attack corners and cruise all day at highway speeds, but it is also relatively easy to ride around in traffic thanks to the combination of the nimble handling and the automatic gearbox. This is what makes it the ultimate touring bike for real-world riding. The Base Price Climbs Up Quickly BMWThe pricing for the R 1300 RT can be a little confusing, but bear with us as we walk you through it. The base price is $22,645, while the Automated Shift Assistant is a $935 option. But in typical BMW fashion, you cannot select certain options as standalone additions. When you add the Automated Shift Assistant, you are compelled to add a few other options as well. We have picked out the cheapest combination possible when you add the auto ‘box. That includes the top case prep package for $750 and the Alpine White package for $6,000. This brings the R 1300 RT automatic's price to a minimum of $30,000. The Boxer Engine Promises Power And Torque In Heaps BMW MotorradBMW has used component sharing very effectively when it comes to the driveline of the R 1300 RT. It shares its driveline with the R 1300 GS, so you get a 1,300 cc boxer-twin engine placed longitudinally in the chassis with a DOHC head, liquid cooling, and variable valve timing on the intake valves. It runs a compression ratio of 13.3:1 and generates 145 horsepower at 7,750 RPM and 110 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 RPM. It is both an extremely practical yet fun driveline. The Automatic Choice Of Transmission For Real-World Riding BMWThe base R 1300 RT has a six-speed manual gearbox with a hydraulic clutch that also has a slipper function, and it drives the rear wheel via a cardan shaft drive. A two-way quickshifter is an optional extra. However, you could, as mentioned above, specify the Automated Shift Assistant. This is an automated manual that shifts gears by itself if you leave it to its own devices. You can also switch off the automatic shifting and shift gears manually as you would with the regular manual gearbox. The New Frame Cuts Weight And Helps Improve The Handling BMW MotorradThe R 1300 RT underwent a major change in its chassis design compared to the R 1250 RT. Its frame resembles a twin-spar design and uses the engine as a stressed member, with the rear subframe bolted on. The suspension chosen is BMW’s EVO Telelever and EVO Paralever suspension, which means a double-wishbone front and a single-sided swingarm with a link-type single shock at the rear. It offers 5.9 inches of travel at the front and 6.3 inches at the rear.The brakes consist of dual 310 mm discs at the front with radial four-piston fixed calipers, and a 285 mm rear disc with a two-piston floating caliper. As with all premium touring bikes, these are linked. These brakes are mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with radial tubeless tires. Large Enough For Two-Up Touring The R 1300 RT's engine size and pricing offer a clue as to how large it is. It has a length of nearly 88 inches, a width of over 38 inches, and a 59-inch wheelbase. The standard seat is 32.5 inches off the ground, but there are optional seats that offer varying seat heights from 30.7 inches to 33.8 inches. 6.3 gallons is the tank capacity, and if you fill it up, the bike weighs 620 pounds curb. This is not a small or light motorcycle, but BMW has designed it well to hide its weight on the move, which is why it can be used in the real world. A Features List As Good As Any Other BMWThe R 1300 RT quietly sets the benchmark when it comes to the list of features. It starts with the impressively big 10.25-inch TFT screen that has Bluetooth and navigation as standard. There is also keyless ignition, tire pressure monitoring, heated grips, electronic suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a charging port. The electronics are understandably top-notch and among the leaders in the segment. Of course, it has a by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU, and with the automatic gearbox thrown into the mix, the electronics suite offers ride modes, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and cornering engine brake control, along with adaptive cruise control thanks to the forward-facing radar.BMWNeed more? Then, the options list offers an upgrade for the audio system, front collision warning, adaptive headlamp, lane change warning, and Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA). The latter means the suspension has electronic control and will change automatically to suit the situation. Alternatively, BMW also offers manual control of it, and you can choose whether you want a plush ride or a sporty one.Source: BMW USA