The best way to experience a bike is to take it on a road trip. With a wide range of speed machines to choose from—cruisers, sports bikes, touring bikes, and more—here’s our list of the best motorbikes that make for epic journeys across the length and breadth of India.

BY NIKHIL CHAWLA

KAWASAKI NINJA H2

With a name like that, it’s no wonder this bike looks like it’s straight out of an adventure movie! Its modern, industrial design flaunts self-healing paint, which consists of soft and hard compounds that work together like a chemical spring, creating a trampoline effect that absorbs small impacts. The colour TFT display pairs to a smartphone via the ‘Rideology’ app and gives access to vehicle data like fuel level, battery condition, riding log, and updates about service interval. For a superbike like the Ninja H2, the scenic East Coast Road from Chennai to Puducherry would make for a great ride through the year. From ₹34,99,000; kawasaki-india.com

HONDA GOLDWING

This flagship touring motorcycle from the Japanese marquee comes with a 6-cylinder engine that is more powerful than most cars! It also boasts airbags, cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and other unheard-of features for a bike. With the Goldwing, you can head on road trips from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. After all, Emilio Scott embarked on the world’s longest bike ride, which lasted 10 years, two months, and 19 days on this very bike! He circled the planet not once but twice in a row, travelling the distance from the Earth to the moon and back, visiting 279 countries, while covering islands and overseas territories on the six continents. His constant companion through these adventures? The Honda Goldwing 1100! ₹39,20,000; hondabigwing.in

DUCATI PANIGALE V4 TRIUMPH ROCKET 3

This versatile bike is designed to handle any road condition you may encounter on your trip, making it perfect for an adventure among Rajasthan’s sand dunes. Its powerful engine, adjustable suspension, and excellent handling make it ideal for both on-road and off-road escapades. The Panigale V4 hosts tons of riding aids like traction control, wheelie control, cornering ABS, slide control, launch control, and a bi-directional quick shifter as standard. These riding aids are linked to a six-axis IMU to give the rider a better grip. And all of them can be controlled via the switch cube on the left clip-on bar and the colour 5-inch TFT screen. From ₹27,41,000; ducati.com

BMW R 1250 GS ADVENTURE

Excellent for long distance rides, this luxury sports touring bike features a comfortable seat and adjustable windshield. Its heated grips make it a pleasant ride in all weather conditions. The BMW’s powerful engine and smooth handling also make it a popular choice for riders who
want to tackle any kind of terrain they may encounter on their trip. Take it for the famed yet treacherous Srinagar–Leh–Manali Expedition to experience its range. With a riding distance of approximately 1797 kilometres, this route journeys through Kargil and the scenic Nubra Valley, and is best explored in September and early October. From ₹22,50,000; bmw-motorrad.in

TRIUMPH ROCKET 3

Possibly the meanest-looking cruiser out there! It comes with a menacing 2458cc inline-triple motor engine, and also has a host of rider aids such as ride-by-wire, four rider modes (Rain, Road, Sport, and Rider), a cornering ABS braking system, and traction control. The new Rocket 3 also boasts a lighter aluminium frame, fully adjustable Showa suspension, Brembo Stylema brake callipers, and Avon Cobra Chrome tyres. For a powerful cruiser like the Rocket 3, the Mumbai–Thiruvananthapuram NH17 Expressway would be an ideal spot for a road trip from October to February. It’s a long journey but with this bike, it’s totally worth it! From ₹19,90,000; triumphmotorcycles.in

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