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Which motorcycles have the most comfortable ride?

Honda Goldwing GL1800 airbag radical Goldwings incentive smaller

A combination of stiffly sprung modern motorcycles and old war wounds have many mature-aged riders searching for motorcycles with the most comfortable ride.

I’ve ridden a lot of different bikes over the years and what stands out is how soft old bikes were and how stiff modern bikes are.

This trend is to improve handling and cope with larger and heavier riders. However, it presents problems for riders who suffer from old motorcycle injuries or arthritis.

You could buy an old bike with sagging springs for a softer ride, but they handle poorly. The soft springs also mean you hit the bump stops which pounds your body every time you clout a reasonably sized bump or pothole. And isn’t that a too-frequent occurrence!

If you want a bike that handles yet still has a plush ride, there are some modern motorcycles that offer both.

And that could include electric motorcycles which have different weight distribution.

But first let’s rule out bikes that are uncomfortable.

Uncomfortable bikes

 comfortable
Ducati boss Claudio Domenicali with a Panigale V4 R

That means just about every over-sprung, under-damped Ducati and most sports bikes, except those special editions with uprated suspension from experts such as Ohlins, Sachs, Kayaba, etc.

It also means ruling out “slammed” cruisers such as many of Harley’s line-up, especially anything with the word “Lo/Low” in the model name.

In fact, many cruisers that are considered comfortable have short rear springs that won’t save your spine if you hit a big bump.

Here is the guide for razor dirt bike. You can check it out.
And here is a guide to some cool motorcycle helmets and if you wear bike headphones the music may take your mind off the discomfort.

Making a bike more comfortable

If you can’t find a comfy bike, get one with decent-length springs and fit better suspension with decent damping.

You can also buy aftermarket comfort seats or get the seat reupholstered.

Ducati GT1000 carbon wheels farkle project tall used comfortable
Ergo Seats added more padding to my hard Ducati GT1000 seat

Some people swear by seat cushions such as Airhawks and sheepskins. However, I find they slip and move around which tends to divorce you from what the bike is doing.

That’s fine if comfort is your only consideration, but I like to be able to feel the bike so I can control it.

It’s not just the rear suspension that causes problems. Harsh forks can have a jackhammer effect on your hands.

You can overcome this with thicker aftermarket grips or “Grip Puppies” which are thick coverings for the existing grips.

Soft Grip for chronic pain comfortable
Soft Grip

Comfortable bikes

So which bikes are comfortable straight off the showroom floor?

You can’t tell from just pushing down on the forks or jumping on the bike in the shop. You need to go for a long test ride over bumpy stretches of road.

Look for bikes that have suspension adjustment and then get it professionally set up for your weight.

There are also many models that come with electronic suspension that you can adjust on the fly from “sport” mode to “touring” or “comfort”.

Electronic suspension comfortable
Electronic suspension

Obviously, touring bikes often come with plusher suspension, more adjustment and well-padded seats.

Adventure motorbikes also have a good ride on bad roads with their extended suspension, although that makes them very tall in the saddle.

Top 10 comfy bikes

Comfort can be a very subjective thing, but here is our list of the top 10 most comfortable bikes.

1 BMW R 1250 GS: The telelever front suspension sets this apart from other adventure models. It also has wide-ranging electronic suspension adjustment.

BMW R 1250 GS Ballina Motorcycles comfortable
BMW R 1250 GS

2 Honda Gold Wing: This has long been known as a lounge chair for the open road. Not only does it soak up the bumps, but cossets the rider in a bubble of luxury.

2018 GL1800 Goldwing Tour - Grand America comfortable
Honda GL1800 Goldwing

3 BMW K 1600 GTL: Like the Gold Wing, this bike has all the luxuries.

BMW K 1600 GTL Motorrad comfortable
BMW K 1600 GTL

4 Indian Chief: The entire range of Chief models ride on plush suspension and high-profile tyres.

Indian Chiefs comfortable
Indian Chief Classic, Vintage and Chieftain

5 KTM 1290 Super Adventure: Four damping settings make this suitable for the roughest terrain.

KTM 1290 Super Adventure comfortable
KTM 1290 Super Adventure

6 Triumph Tiger 800XCx: Seat and suspenders are plush enough to cope with the toughest off-road terrain.

Triumph Tiger 800 XCx comfortable
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx

7 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and 1000: Always a great adventure favourite it now rides even better with more padding in the seat.

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 comfortable
Suzuki V-Strom 1000

8 Yamaha FJR1300A: Rider and pillion will enjoy the ride and thermal comforts, although it’s best for tall riders. Cops love ’em! Seat could be better.

Riding the Yamaha FJR1300Aat launch comfortable
Yamaha FJR1300A

9 Kawasaki GTR1400: There are good reasons why many Iron Butt riders choose this highway mile-muncher. Ergos and ride are great for long distances at high speeds.

Malcolm Milne has more than 300,000km on the odo on his 2007 Kawasaki 1400GTR
Malcolm Milne has more than 300,000km on the odo on his 2007 Kawasaki GTR1400

10 Moto Guzzi California: The Italians are not known for comfy riding positions, but this is a rare exception. Big-dish saddle, wide and bent bars, floorboards and a plush ride with plenty of cornering clearance!

Moto Guzzi California comfortable
Moto Guzzi California

What’s the most comfortable motorcycle in your view? Leave your comments below.

  1. At the risk of being looked down upon for riding a scooter, a big Burgman 650 has a luxurious ride while still being able to handle the twisties.

  2. PS. I love your choice of photo to headline a story on luxurious rides. The airbag might be soft to lean against but it does limit your forward visibility a bit.

  3. This is a great topic and one which most motorcycle reviews give scant regard to.
    I have been searching for this sort of information for some time and it is very difficult to find.
    Thanks Motorbikewriter !!

  4. I started riding 40+ years ago and found that the salesperson on each of my bike purchases failed to ask the question regarding ‘rider comfort’.
    Stating the obvious, we’re all different sizes, yet one bike model is supposed to ‘suit’ the entire height/weight spectrum of riders.
    At 6ft my ideal riding position set up would be quite different compared to someone who’s 5ft nothing.
    It’s not difficult to alter suspension or seating but surely as an after sales service it would be commonsense to actually ask their buyer if they’re actually comfortable: handlebar size is width and position, risers required?, foot control positions, clutch and brake leaver positioning?… just basic stuff for both comfort and safety.

  5. Comfort is one of the must important factors of ownership. Even if I’m not going on multi day trips I want a bike that is plushly suspended. But that doesn’t mean I want one of the leviathans that dominate this article.
    I actually want a lightweight, clickable bike that will whip down bumpy lanes and not shake all the fillings out of my teeth and smash my spine.
    I have owned a long line of ktm’s because they mostly get this right and now have a 1290gt. Which is great for the bigger roads and journeys. But what about really horrible tarmac lanes with masses of bumps on them? These are the roads with no one else on them so you can have lots of fun and nobody gets upset!
    Which is the bike for these roads is my question. I’m ready to buy it!

  6. If you put the Triumph Tiger on that list you should also have put the BMW F800GS.
    I tried both before settling on the BMW and have spent 9 hours straight in the saddle with no problems, I’m 68.
    Some of the older bikes I’ve had were reasonably comfortable in the bush, like the Yamaha TT350, but it really needed a more comfortable seat. It’s suspension was variable from nice and soft to full enduro once you worked out the settings.

  7. My Triumph Tiger 800 xrt is the most comfortable bike I’ve ridden- albeit a little tall…. ride comfort compared to my Bonneville T100 is vastly superior due to longer suspension travel and smooth as silk triple cylinder engine….

  8. Well I have ridden many bikes over the years and I must say that we have come a long way since the old days. But now I have progressed to a 3 wheeler can am f3 spyder and it is the most comfortable machine I have ever rode. Long k’s in the saddle no problem.

  9. This is a wide ranging subject, wide or scrawny butts, solo or two up comfort, vertically challenged or knees under your chin, skinny or heavyweight, strong or weak, throws up more options than this article can cover.
    A few years ago I built a café racer for myself forgetting that the Ace Café and my Triton were many moons ago. Could get astride the thing but couldn’t get off it, only 50 years too late. Today I prefer the comfort of one of the best touring bikes ever made, the XVZ13TF Venture. You sit in it not on it, cushion upholstered seats, air adjustable suspension back and front, electronic cruise control, V4 shaft drive, and keep you dry in any weather fairings. Wife says pillion seating and position is second to none. They can be a handful in the carpark if you are a bit short in the legs. Someone mentioned the “Iron Butt” touring group…that’s 1000 miles per day sometimes for a couple of weeks. I read that one popular machines with this group is the first generation Yamaha XVZ 13 Venture Royale first sold in 1986.
    JMB

      1. Yes, they’ve been there for a while, a couple of generation II Ventures as well. Without going into details, there is a problem with the year models stated but you get the picture. It is not uncommon for these Yamaha V4 powered bikes to cover between 200 and 300 thousand miles without overhauls. It’s a pity that the V4 liquid cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder shaft drive package ( restricted to just under 100 HP) was not popular in Australia. The Gen I Vmax engine is basically a 1983 1200cc Venture engine….Yamaha Aust imported the first Vmax ten years after it was available everywhere else on the planet and then discontinued imports after three or so years. Got me beat.
        To stay on topic….the Vmax is definitely not the most comfortable bike !!
        JMB

  10. My Triumph Trophy SE is good for riding for days. But of course, it no longer comes off the showroom floor.

    1. I loved my Trophy SE, but I wish I had bought a Goldwing instead. Zero aftermarket and dealer support for a Unicorn bike from Triumph was not fun.

  11. I believe the most important component of the comfort facilities of a motorcycle is the seat. I have owned a lot of bikes over the years and the seat has always been the key to enjoying the ride. You can tolerate harder suspension if the seat is comfortable. A comfortable seat will have a good shape to cup your backside, enough padding to spread the load a little and reduce the occurrence of pressure points , and finally is mounted so as not to through your torso forward that can cause crunching of the crouch. Having said that, it is not necessarily the big plush seats the get the nod hear, I have had to replace a gold wing seat because it was too high in the center, even though it was about 100mm thick. Just to prove a point, if you can recall the old metal tractor seats made of steel, but in the exact shape of your backside and you could sit in them for hours over terrible rough country.

    1. Agreed. I remember those iron tractor seats, and they really weren’t that bad. I had a 2007 Honda Rebel with a thin stock seat, yet it was practically perfect for me for 20K miles of commuting over all kinds of bumpy roads. My current 2014 Harley Sportster with an upgraded seat is twice as thick, but not quite the right shape and therefore not as comfortable.

  12. This is a tough one, comfortable for what?? Sticking to or under the speed limit and taking in the scenery, or giving it a spanking and and having a joust with your mates. You could pick two very different bikes that would be miles apart depending on the circumstances. Each would be out of its comfort zone in the wrong role. I am going on 68, started riding at 14 and have only owned road bikes, 19 of them over the years. I stick to the “black stuff”. As a young guy there was only “naked’s”, that’s all they made. My first bike with a fairing was a new FJ 1100 Yamaha in 1984. It was a revelation at the time. Smooth, comfortable and fast.
    Fast forward to 2015, I purchased a new BMW R1200R (the latest series) and I would have to say it is the best bike I have ever owned. For our roads and conditions it is brilliant. Comfortable, quick and fast. Remarkably light on its feet and with all the electronic trickery to make riding fun. Take heated grips for example, this is my first bike with them, I always thought they were for “softcocks”. Well I qualify on all counts now, ditto cruise control, ABS, traction control, etc, etc.

    1. Totally agree about the heated grips- will never go without them again!!

  13. My 2013 Triumph Trophy is the most comfortable bike I’ve owned mainly due to the excellent weather protection along with an electronically controlled suspension (damping and preload). It also has good power and great handling – much better than the Gold Wing that I tested 2 years ago.

  14. Yamaha XJR I’ve got a 1996 1200….
    Plush comfy bike. Kind of in the middle of everything performance and handling wise… but I can sit in the saddle all day on my old girl

  15. In the real world of motorcycle riding for most people – daily commute – weekend fang/cruise. I bought a Honda 500FA (naked) as an interim bike while waiting for my Triumph Street Twin. For comfort and all round value – $7,000 R/A the Honda wins hands down IMHO. Excellent ergonomics, comfortable seat, softish front but still retaining a good balance for cornering. Add in approximately $220 registration; $220 insurance; $220 yearly servicing; 0 – 60mph in 4.8 seconds; running on standard 91 octane; averaging 4:3 litres/100kms makes a compelling case for a good all rounder. At double the price can you get double the comfort and versatility? Sorry I had to trade that one, but the wife: “You’re not having 3 bikes!” Err…

  16. Although I’ve been riding for decades, I’ve only had the one bike I’ve taken on several interstate trips and which I still own, a 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan VN800 Classic. Seat is awful for long rides, but vastly improved with a properly fitted lambswool seat cover. For me, comfort whilst riding can also be a matter of proper planning for breaks as much as expecting the bike alone to provide a ‘comfortable’ ride. I have to admit, though, that due to owing a trike tour business, it’s a Boom trike I ride now and have the Kwakka under canvas in the garage. Of course, the Boom trumps the Kwakka on comfort! Can’t beat being able to rest the back on long trips and having lots of spots to change leg position.

  17. Seats are becoming unsuitable for taller riders due to manufacturers fixation of narrowing the front to allow shorter riders to reach the ground flat footed.
    Well, in time I hope they work out that it is a better option to offer a lower seat height by other means, as ‘one solution for all’ is them losing sales, in one direction at least.

  18. I started riding motorcycles when I was around 16years old 56 years ago and back then comfort didn’t really matter ,just as well as there were no comfortable motorcycles ,how every now at the age of 72 my 6 feet frame does appreciate a bit of comfort and is quite spoiled by modern motorcycle technology.
    Over the 56 years that I have been involved with two wheeled transport I have owned many motorcycles from BSA Bantams to Honda gold wings and have come to the conclusion that all motorcycles have to compromise in one way or another ,for example if one is sitting on an arm chair at the lights then chances are you are going to get burned off when the lights change, and do you know what that still pisses me off, oh yes the body maybe in its 73 year but thanks to motorcycling the computer is still 16 .
    My current motorcycle is a 2009 BMW k1200 with cruise/heated seats and grips / reverse gear / and even an electric centre stand,all the ingredients for an old fart to dwell on!

    1. I would sooo love a reverse gear!! When you are tippy toeing around on an adventure tourer backing up is so difficult if you are of average height

  19. I think I have had over 50 bikes all for a respective purpose. There is definitely a compromise no matter what you choose. I have had bikes from BMW, Ducati, KTM, all of the Japanese makers and a few quirky ones in between. I remember when I owned a 2002 BMW LT thinking I looked like an old man but I did not care because I was comfortable. Got rid of it and others for a move. When I decided to get another bike a friend of mine who owned a Harley dealer said try the Road Glide Special before you fully decide, so I did. I test drove the 2017 RGS with the Milwaukee 8. I am no Harley fan boy, in fact the ones I had in the past did nothing for me. This 2017 RGS is without a doubt the most comfortable (With Russell Seat), fun to ride motorcycle I have owned. I can absolutely fly through corners if I want to. This is the first bike where I feel like it could be the only bike I own. I never see the RGS in the discussions of long distance tourer but I can tell you from experience that it kicks the crap out of the new BMW large touring bikes in every way aside from gadgetry. Although the Harley has a pretty great system it is nowhere near as tech filled as the BMW. The soul of this bike and the flat out torque is addicting but it is so smooth and comfortable I am amazed ever time I ride it. Do yourself a favor and take one out for a day to get used to it. I still have a KTM 1290 ADV-R, Vmax, Husky and KTM Super Duke GT….I rarely ride any of them anymore unless for offload.

    1. Excelent unbiased review , I’m 57 and traded my Harley Davidson’s Road king for a 2006 loaded K1200lt, I haven’t done any big mile trips due to work schedule etc.but I miss the roading at times . Sounds like I may need to give the new HD Road glide special a try. Dan in Colorado

      1. You would not regret it! We just finished a long ride with a pack of 20. The two of us on the Road Glides always received the same comments. “I can’t believe how you guys can take corners” I might add in pure comfort. I am 53 so I prefer comfort but the RGS is also a blast to ride and can be ridden very hard. If you do pull the trigger on one get the Russell Daylong with a back rest,…..amazing!!

  20. …you should include the Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS Travel Pack . I upgraded from a TIger 800XC , which was really comfy, and surprisingly caponord is even more comfy! electronic suspension works great!

  21. In 2005 in South Africa, BMW launched their R1200 RT. I bought it new and covered 120,000 Km, mostly open road travelling with my wife as pillion. Nothing, in our opinion, beats this bike for comfort, weather protection and fuel economy. It has all the electronics one could possibly require.

  22. Pretty clear the writer of this column never rode a Yamaha transcontinental.. the gold wing is a good ride for those with short legs on a cool day. Just no leg room on most bikes. I test rode an Indian. Took it about a mile. Turned around took it back. We had a victory vision before the Yamaha.

    1. I had a 97 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe I rode for over a decade that was the most comfortable bike I’ve rode so far. I have a Harley Road King now I love it but I could use about three more inches of leg room on it. I haven’t tried a Goldwing or Indian yet I’d also like to test ride a Yamaha Transcontinental.

  23. I have been riding motorcycles since I was 8 years old and now I am 57 years old. I started out on old road trail bike which were stripped of all the road gear just to learn on before moving onto road bikes when I turned 17 years old. Since then I have owned mostly Japanese bikes Yamahas, Suzukis and Hondas with a couple of BMWs and a Aprilia. Of the most comfortable motorcycles I have owned I would have to say my 1995 20th Anniversary Honda GL1500 Goldwing which I still own today which has now 291,080 kms on it and still going strong mostly because it fits my 6 feet 6 inch tall body better than the new 2019 Honda Goldwing which is made for more shorter riders. As for my Aprilia Mana 850 GT which I also own today it’s not the most comfortable bike to ride long distance on but it is a great fun bike to ride around the city on mostly due to the 7 speed automatic gearbox makes it a lot quicker off the line than any normal motorcycle on the market and it makes lane filtering a lot easier than my Goldwing

  24. I’ve had many road bikes but my 2002
    Kawasaki nomad 1500 was one comfy ride and now I’m on a Honda ctx 1300 and it’s all day comfortable.

  25. I have been riding for more years than I care to admit, ridden the big Yamahas, Suzukis, loved my GS850, but my Honda Goldwing GL1500 is the most comfortable ride I’ve ever had. Have put some serious miles in the saddle, and love this bike more with each trip.

  26. Had a GTR1400 that I loved but eventually traded for BMW R1200RS. As for comfort, the Beemer beats the GTR hands down.
    Much better seat, ” nicer” vibrations, CRUISE CONTROL!!
    A bit less wind protection, but that can be sorted with aftermarket screen.
    Did SS1000 with no problem on the RS but same distance on the GTR1400 almost broke me.

  27. Obviously not geared toward big VTwin Harley’s. I have a 2016 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited CVO with Legends suspension front and rear, I’d put it up against any bike in any weather, hands down the best ride around! Heated grips, heated seat, awesome stage 2 sound system, cruise control and nice highway pegs to kick back on the open road leaning back on a nice back rest. Really surprised at some of the bikes listed in here, keep it upright, be safe!

    1. Agreed, I have either owned the exact bike listed above or something very similar. All of the BMW’s have made it through my garage. For pure comfort, nothing has ever come close to my Road Glide Special. I made it even more comfortable by adding a Russell Daylong seat. I can ride for 1,000 miles and not even squirm in the seat. Just to be clear, I am no Harley Fan boy. I own the two Harleys that appeal to me, MT10, KTM SDGT, VMAX and a Husky so I am a fan of motorcycles. I have owned over 50 and like I said, nothing comes close to the RGS for comfort.

  28. Reason no harleys made list is because of cheap air shocks on touring motorcycles , their shocks will not hold air. I have to put air in my shocks every week if I don’t my spine will shatter and when my wife rides with me the bike will bottom out to the frame. Now I brought this problem to my salesperson two weeks after I bought motorcycle but he said he could switch the shocks out but new shocks would do same thing. I know why they went to coil over shocks two years latter, I still think they should have replaced shocks for free. And they want to know why people are not buying Harley Davidsons.

    1. I agree Gary, but Harley-Davidson’s real problem is that the rear axle doesn’t have enough travel, so they have to increase spring rate to compensate. The best riding Harley was a 1977 Low Rider…….AFTER I had the rear shock lower mount moved back 1″. That gave a much softer ride. Everyone at the time loved the suspension on my Low Rider. Indian Chief and Roadmaster models all have 4.7″ of rear wheel (axle) travel. Harleys………2-2.5″ of travel That extra 2 + inches of travel is why the Indians are so comfortable to ride. Note: Scouts are the exception. They are fast but not comfortable…………

      1. My 2017 Harley road glide is the most uncomfortable thing ever. Road 300 miles and could not sit on it again for over a week.

  29. The comfort of a motorcycle does not depend on if you have been riding longer than you can remember, or since you were 3 years old, or if you have had 2000 bikes in your life. If a bike is uncomfortable you will know about it in about an hour of getting on the bloody thing and the rest of the days ride just becomes a nightmare.
    I think the question is what makes for a comfortable motorcycle ride, instead of trying to impress with how long you have been riding, or how many bikes you have ridden, why not just tell us what features contribute to making a comfortable ride for f**k sake.

  30. Cry baby Harley owners think of nothing else….just like their idiot President

    1. Thank took alot of thought and intelligence to come up with that reply, let me guess you’re seven years old???

  31. The problem is dealers do not let you ride the bikes you want. I was inquiring about an Africa Twin and the dealer could not verify my question. I ended up with an Aprilia Caponord Rally with electronic suspension. I do not need nor want a bike thinking for me. I know what I like. I can only adjust it so far and then I compensate by changing air pressure in the tires. My buddy purchased the AT and the suspension is superbly cushy. These two bikes are the best two I have ridden in a long time. The only two, besides my 1980 GS 750 which is extremely cushy.

  32. I like my Victory Cross’s Country….great rider position, good shocks, and good engineering on the forks. The combo is hard to beat, especially on longer rides! But will have to test drive some of the other bikes mentioned here and see if there is any real competition.

  33. I have not ridden many bikes but nobody ever mentions Honda ST1300. I cannot find a single thing I would change on this comfortable ride. I always look forward to getting away on it for as long as I can.

      1. Owned a 2010 st1300, high engine wine drove me crazy, 5 spd, no abs, great power, braking, handling, need key to open luggage, pain. Heli bars made it super comfy, v motor engine wine drove me to sell it.

  34. You are totally wrong concerning the gold wing. It is very uncomfortable on long rides. I have lbeen a Goldwing fan for several decades and bought a new 2019 Touring DCT airbag and found it terrible for long distances along with a terrible gps system. Look online and you can see the seat uncomfortable riding reviews… do you homework prior to putting out your info.

    1. Hi Mike,
      Comfort is a very subjective thing.
      I’ve ridden many kilometres on a Goldwing and find it absolutely armchair comfortable.
      Cheers,
      Mark

      1. Hi, my wife and I have a 2017 Gold wing, and we have put on 35,600 km in three summers up in Canada. My driver’s seat is so comfortable, I just feel like part of the bike, and my wife’s back seat is even more comfortable than mine. I am 63 years old, and have ridden eight different types of bikes that I’ve owned. The Honda goldwing is the top of the line.

  35. I owned several motorbikes, I currently own 3, a Suzuki DR200S, a Suzuki GSXR1000R and a Road Glide Special.
    Just got rid of two BMWs, a K1600B and a GS1250 Adventure.
    I like to try and change often, but CONFORT?
    I say, BMW wins by far. The only issue is maintenance cost and bad delaeship attitude, otherwise I would never get rid of them.

  36. I haven’t ridden all the others, but I own the basic Indian Chief Dark Horse with a windshield and throw over saddlebags on it. Just rode 1300 miles in 2 1/2 days. I was very comfortable. All the Chiefs come standard with cruise control. I would not hesitate to do a cross country ride on it.
    I have no regrets buying it.

  37. I honestly have to say my 08 Street Bob is a good comfortable riding bike. Rear shocks are adjustable, I have forward controls also. I will say changing to the Dunlop American Elite tire made the bike handle and ride even better. By the way I’ve been riding since 1967. So I do have experience with other types and brands of bikes.

  38. At 64, ( with the mandatory “BAD back” … plus a few other “niggly problems” here n there” ) and with 47 motorbikes behind me – I’m pretty damn happy with the Indian Vintage Chief I currently own ….
    It has a big screen ( no wind pressure – and if it rains the screen deflects most of the rain as well ) …. lovely “smooth” suspension ….. highway footpegs ….. a good upright riding position … and A RIDER’S BACKREST !!!!!
    ( I WILL admit, that my wife’s Heritage Classic Softail Harley has a s-l-I-g-h-t-l-y more comfortable seat …. but, I am now fitting the optional Indian heated “Touring Seat” …. and I am pretty certain that this will lessen my need to have an arse-transplant surgeon on standby – after a 1000+Km ride )

    The Injun handles VERY well for a big, heavy bike … and I can hold my own with the big Triumph triples, Guzzi’s and other sport bikes when we ride down to Phillip Island – ( heads up – The Omeo Highway ( between Tallangatta and Omeo ) is a HOOT – if you like winding roads and fabulous scenery ) ……. the boys call me “World’s Fastest Indian” when we all do the Omeo Highway

    I often tow a trailer as well when we do our big bike trips – and I don’t even notice it being there …

    VERY happy with the Indian !!!

  39. There is no perfect one size fits all motorcycle. I’ve had a few over the years from full on sport bikes to a loaded Ultra classic. I’ve always had to add or modify each to fit my needs. Even now I have a Concours 14 and a Honda Valkyrie 1500 (2nd one I’ve owned). As time gets closer for me and my bride to be able to put some miles and smiles on our faces for longer periods of time. Our short list is on opposite ends of the spectrum with a BMW R1250RT and a DCT Wing. The deciding factor will come down to weight and vibration. I don’t like the weight and she can’t handle vibration. The great thing is we have several great choices and plenty of time to make up our mind…

    JJ

  40. My Yamaha XVS650 V-STAR with forward control extensions & half ape hangers. Perfect sitting position “NOW” for my 6’4″ body. Not too heavy to “throw” around. Should see me through ’til the end.

  41. I’ve been riding 2 wheels since Watergate. I’ve owned many cruisers most of which the term comfortable was not how I would describe them. The last time I bought a new bike I considered comfort first. The bike that made me say wow when I sat on it was the Honda Stateline – a 1300 variation of the Fury with a short, fat front tire and wide, low, back bars that felt so right.
    The Stateline turned out to have an almost unbearable stiff ride that probably damaged my spine when I hit some large bumps on it. I upgraded it with OEM boards, shield, seat and adjusted the rear suspension to be as soft as it will go.
    The Stateline is very comfy from a rider position view. It corners like a dirt bike and handles better than any other cruiser i’ve ridden but is miserably stiff and bumpy. The Stateline is the most comfy bike i’ve ever owned.
    I’d say the older Suzuki Intruder models were the most comfortable cruisers i’ve ever ridden. I never owned one but those were the bikes I nearly fell asleep riding.

  42. Be comfortable on bike depends a lot “on your body structure/size, and especially with the ages, all the body problems you are carrying on it”
    Personally speaking, I found (for a long trip ride) the new Ducati Multistrada models very comfortably, starting form the 2020 Multistrada 950 S models.
    But like I said before, it all depends on our body structure. What it’s feel good for me, maybe it’s not for someone else and the other way round.
    Most important thing is….You have to feel comfortable, no matter what bike it is!
    PS: sorry for my terrible English,

  43. Comfort may be highly subjective. In my close to 50 years on bikes, there are some that stand out for comfort. The tightly spring Kawasaki KZ1000 C2 police had a shocked saddle and none of the road chop came up through it. Riding on concrete roads with expansion joints isolated me from them but that was then, this is now. Great idea though. Few others were as enjoyable whilst honourable mention must go to the Kawasaki Concours ZG1400. Went over just about anything with nary a complaint. Next was the BMW K1600GTL. You could feel the high frequency chop but never obtrusive and the nice controlled travel in the suspension produced a very comfy ride. Did we say “controlled”. Yeah, Beemer through and through. Tying the BMW for first place is our 2018 Honda Goldwing DCT. It doesn’t have long legs like the BMW, or at least feel like it, but it handles everything with ease. Could it be this Wing is that elusive “magic carpet”? Honda’s first foray into the front “double wishbone” design proves to be a good one. One can’t help but remember back to the 1986 Accord and its “double wishbone”. When you have a good thing why change? It works well. I keep thinking our Wing will be upset on upcoming pavement surface but it never happens. And, there is always a good benefit new tech so it is a safe bet the Wing won’t be the only smooth runner, it just led the way, among a few others.It just keeps getting better. Oh how we like that.

  44. Owned a 2010 st1300, high engine wine drove me crazy, 5 spd, no abs, great power, braking, handling, need key to open luggage, pain. Heli bars made it super comfy, v motor engine wine drove me to sell it.

  45. Owned 26 all flavors bought a new 2018 Honda goldwing, absolutely beautiful. It is the gold standard, and I’ve ridden over a million miles. I’m 70 honda is the best period. And if you dont think so, then you probably haven’t ridden one. End of story!!!

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