BMW R 1250 RT
Image Credit: BMW Motorcycle
Touring motorcycles are a symbol of freedom and adventure. With their powerful engines and robust features, they’re designed for long-distance travel. However, for shorter riders, the towering seats and bulky designs of many touring bikes can feel intimidating. Fortunately, there are several models available that offer lower seat heights without compromising on performance or comfort. Here’s a list of ten powerful touring bikes that cater to shorter riders while delivering exceptional riding experiences.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Seat Height: 26.1 inches
The Harley-Davidson Street Glide stands out as a popular choice among touring motorcycles. With its low seat height, it’s ideal for shorter riders seeking comfort and ease. The ‘Batwing’ fairing, mounted on the front fork, enhances city usability, while its spacious design ensures ultimate comfort. Powered by one of the largest displacement V-twin engines, this model provides seamless performance. Equipped with advanced electronics, the Street Glide is perfect for both casual city rides and long journeys. Its blend of tradition and modernity makes it a top contender in the touring segment.
Indian Challenger Elite
Seat Height: 26.5 inches
Indian Motorcycle’s Challenger Elite offers an elite experience for shorter riders. Its liquid-cooled PowerPlus engine produces a robust 122 horsepower, ensuring smooth and powerful rides. The bike is equipped with ride modes, cornering ABS, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. With premium features like electronically adjustable rear suspension and radially mounted Brembo front brakes, it guarantees superior handling and safety. The exclusive design and advanced technology make it a favorite for touring enthusiasts.
Indian Chieftain
Seat Height: 26.5 inches
The Indian Chieftain rivals Harley-Davidson’s Street Glide with its sleek design and powerful Thunderstroke 111 engine. It features ride modes, ABS, and a high-quality audio system, making it a well-rounded choice for shorter riders. The intuitive instrument cluster combines a modern color display with traditional analog dials for a seamless navigation experience. For those seeking extra power, variants like the Chieftain Dark Horse come with the Thunderstroke 116 engine.
Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Seat Height: 26.7 inches
The CVO Road Glide ST combines Harley’s signature style with unmatched performance. Its chassis-mounted fairing is designed to counter wind resistance effectively, making it a highway-focused powerhouse. The Milwaukee Eight 121 High Output engine delivers 127 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. As Harley’s fastest tourer, this model’s premium features and performance focus make it a standout for long-distance riders.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
Seat Height: 27.5 inches
For those seeking premium touring features without the cost of a CVO model, the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is an excellent choice. It’s powered by the Milwaukee Eight 114 Twin-Cooled engine, generating 93 horsepower. The bike boasts cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, and LED lighting. Its Showa suspension ensures a comfortable ride, while its low seat height makes it accessible for shorter riders.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
Image Credit: Harley-Davidson
Honda Gold Wing Tour
Seat Height: 29.3 inches
In the touring field, Honda’s Gold Wing Tour is a renowned name. Having a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a flat-six engine, it presents unparalleled smoothness. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, hill-hold assist, and dual combined brakes are other characteristics. Long-distance drivers especially like it since its double-wishbone front suspension improves steadiness. The ergonomic design guarantees a good fit for shorter people even with its somewhat greater seat height.
BMW K 1600 GTL
Seat Height: 29.5 inches
The height of luxury touring is embodied in BMW’s K 1600 GTL Its 160 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine guarantees great rides. Adaptive headlights, traction control, electronic suspension, and hill-hold assist are among the standard features. Apart from other necessary purposes, the big 10.25-inch color display offers navigation. The K 1600 GTL presents an unmatched touring experience with its modern technologies and elegant styling.
BMW R 1250 RT
Seat Height: 29.9 inches and adjustable
The BMW R 1250 RT strikes a balance between performance and accessibility. It features a liquid-cooled boxer engine with variable valve timing, ensuring efficient power delivery. The cockpit’s 10.25-inch display includes navigation and wireless phone charging. With options like heated seats, auxiliary lights, and adjustable windshields, it’s tailored to meet diverse rider preferences. The customizable seat height ensures comfort for shorter riders.
Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.
Seat Height: 27.8 inches
A powerful cruiser with touring capability is Suzuki’s Boulevard M109R B.O.S. Shorter riders like it especially because of its low seat height and ergonomic design. Driven by a 1783cc V-twin engine, it delivers thrilling performance. Any road will let you stand out with its elegant design and strong aesthetics.
Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT
Seat Height: 26.8 inches
Combining design with utility, the flexible touring bike Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic LT is For shorter riders, its modest seat height and reasonable curb weight create the perfect fit. Its 903cc engine gives constant and smooth power. Long trips would be ideal for it with its saddlebags and windscreen.
Conclusion
Touring motorcycles go beyond just taller riders now. Thanks to developments in design and technology, manufacturers today provide a large selection of bikes to suit shorter people without compromising comfort or power. There’s a bike for everyone whether your taste is for the vintage Harley-Davidson models or the contemporary BMW and Honda technologies. Choosing a touring motorbike is about striking the ideal mix between accessibility, comfort, and performance.