Sport-touring is becoming more and more common today. In theory, these bikes tend to feature sports bike-sourced engines but swap all the aggressive bits for a more easy-going package. So you sit up in comfort while having heaps of performance right at the twist of your wrist. This makes sense as well, since not everyone enjoys back-breaking ergos, but everyone enjoys raspy performance.
As a result, there's no shortage of sports bike-like tourers today, with all your favorite bikemakers dipping their toes in the segment. That means if you want something with touring comfort and sports bike speed, there are several options. Only of these will get you over 200 horsepower, though.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as BMW Motorcycles.
The BMW M 1000 XR Nails The Balance Between Touring Comfort And Sportbike Speed
Price: $25,475
We're talking about the BMW M 1000 XR. Why? Because of the 'M' badge it bears. That gets you a superbike-sourced engine with over 200 ponies (from the S 1000 RR), carbon fiber bodywork, track-spec underpinnings, and a whole lot of electronic wizardry. BMW also tops it off with touring-specific features like cruise control, hill hold, heated grips, and TPMS. You also get three smashing color options for 2026. That MSRP is quite lip-smacking as well. The base price is $25,475, which equates to an unrivaled horsepower-to-price ratio.
The next best alternative we feel is the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE. It's based on the Ninja H2 sports bike, so you get a whistling supercharged liter-class engine here. It's a bit detuned to produce just under 200 horsepower, although you do get a class-leading 101 pound-feet of torque for extra tractability. Also, unlike the crossover from BMW, this is a sports tourer through and through, with full fairings, clip-on handlebars, and a low seat height (compared to the crossover). We didn't pick this for two reasons: the MSRP is almost $5,000 more than the XR, and it weighs close to 600 pounds wet.
After the two inline-fours, we'd recommend the Ducati Multistrada V4 RS. It has more in common with the XR, considering this is a crossover-type sport tourer, armed with a naturally aspirated superbike-derived engine. Speaking of which, you get the Panigale V4-sourced 1,103cc, Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine that puts out 180 horsepower and 87 pound-feet. That's the least in the trio, but the Stradale engine is properly fast in person, so don't judge a book by its cover. You can, however, judge the Multi by its MSRP. At $39,995, this is simply crazy expensive.
The M 1000 XR Features A ShiftCam-Equipped Inline-Four Engine
Peak Power: 201 HP
As you've seen above, the XR boasts the highest output among touring bikes with sporty intentions. Credit for that goes to the 999cc inline-four engine. It comes straight from the S 1000 RR, with a bit of retune that drops the output from 210 horsepower to 201 horsepower. Yet, this is a proper sports bike engine where the peak power comes in at nearly 13,000 RPM while the redline is set at 14,600 RPM.
There's still ample oomph all over the rev range, though, all thanks to ShiftCam technology (BMW's terminology for variable valve timing). The bikemaker also claims the XR has shorter fourth, fifth, and sixth gears for better tractability. This also means a top speed of 170 miles per hour -- about 20 down on the RR. Acceleration is still rampant, as BMW suggests a zero to 62 mph time of under 3.5 seconds and a zero to 124 mph sprint of just 7.5 seconds.
BMW M 1000 XR Engine Specifications
Capacity
999cc
Power
201 HP @ 12,750 RPM
Torque
83.3 LB-FT @ 11,000 RPM
Transmission
Six-speed
Compression ratio
13.3:1
Max RPM
14,600 RPM
Top speed
170 MPH
0-124 MPH
7.5 seconds
Forged Wheels And Electronic Suspension Come Standard On The M 1000 XR
It's Lighter Than The S 1000 XR, Too
Like the engine, the M 1000 XR focuses on being as sporty as possible in the underpinnings department. How? By employing a cast aluminum bridge-type chassis, suspended on 45 mm upside-down forks and a monoshock. Both have 5.4 inches of travel and electronic adjustment to make your life easier wherever you ride this, including the track. Forged aluminum 17-inch wheels that house 320 mm double discs and a 265 mm single disc (fore and aft) come standard here as well.
While these are fancy enough for most people, BMW lets you swap them out for carbon fiber hoops as an option. All that helps the package weigh 492 pounds-eight less than the S 1000 XR. It might not seem light, but again, both the Multistrada V4 RS and H2 SX weigh considerably more fully fueled. As for dimensions, the saddle is accessible at 33.4 inches, the tank capacity is over 5 gallons, and the wheelbase is tight at 60.9 inches (by tourer standards).
BMW M 1000 XR Underpinnings And Dimensions
Frame
Aluminum bridge-type
Front suspension
45 mm USD forks
Rear suspension
Monoshock
Wheel size (F/R)
17/17-inch
Tire size (F/R)
120/200-section
Front brakes
2x 320 mm disc
Rear brakes
265 mm disc
Cutting-Edge Electronics Make The M 1000 XR Easy To Live With
Without Compromising On Comfort Features
Last but not least, BMW has loaded the M 1000 XR to the teeth. And it's a package with the best of both worlds. For you sporty riding fans out there, the S 1000 RR-derived rider aid package is present. It comprises:
* Five ride modes (Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race, Race Pro)
* Dynamic traction control
* Slide control
* Wheelie control
* Dynamic brake control
* Launch control
* Bi-directional quickshifter
* Pit lane limiter
When you're in touring mode, then you can leave all of these be and focus on enjoying the touring-friendly features. Heated grips, cruise control, keyless ignition, TPMS, USB port, adjustable levers, and auto hill hold. A sizable TFT lets you access all the features in an easy to understand manner.