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Deciding on a two-up touring bike? Two heads are better than one.
Deciding on a two-up touring bike? Two heads are better than one. (Harley-Davidson/)

For many, motorcycling is an individualistic pursuit. Lone wolves don’t need a pack. But it’s hard to turn down a mate. When you find that person and decide to hit the open road together, what’s the best possible new motorcycle you could choose?

Editor’s note: looking for more two-up motorcycle options? Read the Best Motorcycles For Two-Up RidingBest Motorcycles for Long-Distance Two-Up Riding 2022 and Best Motorcycles for Two-Up Riding 2021 written articles.

It could fairly be said that Honda and BMW Motorrad invented the two-up touring category in the late ‘70s, sidecars notwithstanding. But passengers (“pillion rider,” if you’re English) have been part of motorcycling since 1937, when Velocette made a seat designed for two. It was nicknamed “The Loch Ness Monster” due to its unsightliness. It was likely a lot better than sitting sidesaddle on the luggage rack, which was common at the time.

King-and-queen seats were a popular upgrade in the ‘70s, and while they’re the butt of jokes today (pun intended), they made countless miles possible on bikes never meant for serious two-up touring. Today there are thousands of seating upgrades available, but we’re blessed with a wide array of touring motorcycles that are near perfect, right out of the crate.

We just weighed in on the best bikes for touring like Barbie and Ken, but this list is geared toward anatomically correct couples. The metrics for success in this category are comfort, miles, and fun. More of all three equals a great choice for two-up riding. Rocket science, this ain’t. Hop on, let’s go.

Six cylinders, seven speeds, and reverse, too. You get a lot to like with the Honda Gold Wing.
Six cylinders, seven speeds, and reverse, too. You get a lot to like with the Honda Gold Wing. (Honda/)

Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT

Companies are, legally speaking, individuals. As such, they have distinct personalities. Honda’s personality is a work ethos. You may like things about past Gold Wing models, but every 10 years or so, Big Red largely starts over and recreates the wheel. And it usually does an amazing job. Honda didn’t invent long distance two-up touring. But it has been perfecting it since 1975.

Heated seats for rider and passenger are available, though not “cooled” seats. Seat cooling is just passive air ventilation or heat-wicking foam material. Not like there’s actual A/C, so whatever. Apparently in 2021 (find out more in the 2021 Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT MC Commute Review article and video), the engineers changed the angle of the passenger backrest on Tour models from 17 degrees to 24.5 degrees and increased the height and cushion. There’s even an optional auto-on interior light for the trunk. Highly fancy.

The Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT, in Candy Argent Red.
The Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT, in Candy Argent Red. (Honda/)

The seven-speed automatic DCT might be of interest to passengers. Push-button shifting is virtually seamless and reduces the risk of passengers spilling their latte. DCT transmissions feature “Walking mode,” letting you creep forward or backward at a walking pace without a need to dismount. It all adds up to a classic counterpoint to the American touring game. Fun fact: Gold Wings were actually made in Marysville, Ohio, from 1980 to 2010, but now they’re made in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.

Also, they call passengers “co-pilots,” which seems nice. All about that power behind the throne.

The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited, in Bright Billiard Blue/Billiard Gray with Black Finish.
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited, in Bright Billiard Blue/Billiard Gray with Black Finish. (Harley-Davidson/)

Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited

On paper and in pixels, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited has roughly the same brochure-worthy features of its

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By: Anders T. Carlson
Title: Best Motorcycles to Ride for Passengers
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/reviews/best-motorcycles-to-ride-for-passengers/
Published Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:30:07 +0000

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2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP First Look Preview

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9 hours ago

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September 22, 2023

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Honda is leaving well enough alone with regard to its top-tier superbike this year, keeping its CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP in the new motorcycle lineup unchanged in 2024. The track weapon is now available starting at $28,900 in a Pearl White color scheme.

Editor’s note: We test rode this vehicle during the 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP First Ride Review and 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP MC Commute Review articles and videos.

The 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP starts at $28,900.
The 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP starts at $28,900. (Honda/)

The SP is designed for on-track performance, first coming to the States in its current trim as a 2021 model. That major update resulted in a sportbike with a compact 999cc inline-four with numerous elements derived from MotoGP machines. The frame was revised to accommodate the new engine size and improve handling characteristics. Those changes coupled with improved tech and Öhlins semi-active electronic suspension resulted in a much-improved motorcycle during our first outing on track back in late 2020.

Other highlights of note include a much better-performing ride-by-wire system and quickshifter, taller rev range, and an improved braking package. The update brought the bike much more in line with literbike offerings from other manufacturers and left our testers feeling that this was a “superbike like we’ve never seen from Big Red.”

Related: The Best Superbikes of 2023

No major changes this year, but rumor has it big things may be on the way in 2024.
No major changes this year, but rumor has it big things may be on the way in 2024. (Honda/)

As a homologation platform, though, the bike also needs to perform in competition and in the years since its release the results haven’t been great in World Superbike. We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for the 2024 edition, which if the rumors that have been circling prove to be true, will mark another notable update to the platform. Possibly with a better aerodynamics package to help the platform reach the top step. Only time will tell.

2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Technical Specifications and Price

Price:$28,900Engine:999cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled inline-four; 4 valves/cyl.Bore x Stroke:81.0 x 48.5mmCompression Ratio:13.4:1Fuel Delivery:EFI w/ 52mm throttle bodies; ride-by-wireClutch:Wet, multiplate w/ quickshifterTransmission/Final Drive:6-speed/chainFrame:Twin-spar aluminumFront Suspension:43mm Öhlins NPX electronically controlled fork, fully adjustable; 4.9 in. travelRear Suspension:Pro-Link single Öhlins electronically controlled shock, fully adjustable; 5.6 in. travelFront Brake:Brembo Stylema 4-piston calipers, 330mm discsRear Brake:1-piston caliper, 220mm discWheels, Front/Rear:Aluminum; 17 x 3.5 in. / 17 x 6.0 in.Tires, Front/Rear:120/70-17 / 200/55-17Rake/Trail:24.0°/4.0 in.Wheelbase:57.4 in.Seat Height:32.7 in.Fuel Capacity:4.3 gal.Claimed Curb Weight:445 lb.Warranty:12-month unlimited-mileage, limited, transferableAvailable:September 2023Contact:powersports.honda.com

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By: Byron Wilson
Title: 2024 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP First Look Preview
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/news/honda-cbr1000rr-r-fireblade-sp-first-look-preview/
Published Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 10:00:00 +0000

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Family Wagon: A four-up Moto Guzzi V7 sidecar rig from Madrid

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11 hours ago

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September 22, 2023

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Moto Guzzi V7 sidecar rig by UFO Garage
The Moto Guzzi V7 platform is well-known to us here at Bike EXIF. Since its re-release in 2008, the practical modern classic has graced the garages of multiple Bike EXIF writers, including our founder, Chris Hunter. But despite its popularity, we don’t see that many truly wild Moto Guzzi V7 customs.

That’s because the Moto Guzzi V7 looks good enough when it leaves the Mandello del Lario factory that most owners only make minor adjustments over time. But when Efraon Triana at UFO Garage in Madrid, Spain, was tasked with building a family-friendly Moto Guzzi V7 sidecar rig, he knew that he and his team would have to go all out.

Moto Guzzi V7 sidecar rig by UFO Garage

The customer, Mike, already owned one UFO Garage bike and wanted another to enjoy the Swiss countryside with. But there was a catch—Mike has two daughters and a wife who all want to be part of the fun. So not only did UFO Garage have to add a sidecar to the Guzzi, but they had to build it with two seats.

Efraon and his crew started by building the sidecar’s tubular steel frame by hand, adding an 18” wheel to match the V7. The wheel uses an aluminum rim on a CNC-machined hub—and if you peek through the spokes, you’ll spot the sidecar’s suspension system.

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By: Ben Pilatti
Title: Family Wagon: A four-up Moto Guzzi V7 sidecar rig from Madrid
Sourced From: www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-v7-sidecar
Published Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:59:29 +0000

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2023 KTM 890 Adventure and Adventure R

Published

18 hours ago

on

September 22, 2023

By

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2023 KTM 890 Adventure R
2023 KTM 890 Adventure R (KTM/)

Ups

Low-slung fuel tank gives a low center of gravity that makes it easier for riders of every skill level to find their limit off-roadTop-end rider aids are simple to use and incredibly effectiveCompact LC8c engine is tractable, laugh-out-loud fun, and refined enough for touring comfort

Downs

At start-up the engine sounds like a toolbox falling down a flight of stairsAvailable in any color you want as long as it’s orangeBrakes aren’t as high-spec as what can be found on some of the competition

Verdict

The benchmarks of the middleweight adventure category, the 890 Adventure and Adventure R shatter preconceptions of adventure-touring performance. Anything but top-heavy or cumbersome, these middleweights impress with killer rider aids, a responsive chassis, and a rowdy engine.

2023 KTM 890 Adventure
2023 KTM 890 Adventure (KTM/)

Overview

Adventure bikes, by nature, are the most compromised motorcycles on the market. They’re the proverbial jacks of all trades, but masters of none. There’s no perfect intersection of touring comfort, sport-riding exhilaration, around-town usability, and off-road capability that satisfies riders who want their machine to excel in every area. However, if those required traits were displayed on a Venn diagram, KTM’s 890 Adventure and Adventure R would increase the overlap between each circle.

When KTM unveiled the LC8c-powered 790 Adventure and Adventure R in 2019, we said: “It set a new standard in the adventure segment for dirt-worthiness,” and that “it nearly makes open-class machines irrelevant.” In other words, it was a game-changer.

Since that time, the middleweight class has become arguably the hottest segment in motorcycling as OEMs have attempted to wrest the middleweight crown from the rally-worn hands of the madmen from Mattighofen. Never one to rest on its laurels, KTM upped the ante in 2021, introducing the 890 Adventure and Adventure R, with a revised, larger-displacement 889cc engine with a higher compression ratio, larger intake and exhaust valves, an updated camshaft, and lighter pistons. In 2023, KTM revised the platform yet again.

One of the qualities that sets the 890 Adventure R apart is its low center of gravity. With most of its fuel sitting in front of the rider’s shins rather than on top of the machine, the 890 feels like a smaller, more nimble machine than its competition, inspiring riders to reevaluate what they thought they were capable of tackling on an ADV bike—both on and off-road. Coupled with a supereffective parallel-twin engine, impressive rider aids, great ergos, and unbelievable suspension—particularly on the R model—the 890 puts all other ADV bikes on their heels in the dirt. Even the base-model 890 Adventure, which uses less expensive, less off-road-biased suspension, is still an effective tool off-road while being more manageable for shorter riders and more aerodynamically efficient on the street.

It’s not like the 790/890 Adventure lineup were the first middleweight adventure bikes in the world, but they certainly opened a lot of people’s eyes and made good on the promise that yes, adventure motorcycles can go off-road, and yes, you should definitely get them as dirty as possible. The 890 Adventure series is what happens when you give a dirt bike manufacturer the keys to daddy’s adventure-tourer.

The 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R in the hands of someone with more skill than most of us. The aspirational R model has 10.4 inches of ground clearance, so you know it’s serious.
The 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R in the hands of someone with more skill than most of us. The aspirational R model has 10.4 inches of ground clearance, so you know it’s serious. (KTM/)

Updates for 2023

For 2023, the 890 Adventure series was further refined with a host of changes. Redesigned rally-inspired bodywork is intended to improve aerodynamics and ergonomics, as well as to provide more support for large navigation units. Both the base model and R receive their own windshields and both have aluminum covers that extend past the skid plate to add greater protection to the engine and tank.

Both the base model and R receive a 9.3 MP ABS unit

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By: Cycle World Staff
Title: 2023 KTM 890 Adventure and Adventure R
Sourced From: www.motorcyclistonline.com/ktm/890-adventure-r/
Published Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2023 10:30:00 +0000

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