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A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although almost any motorcycle can be used for this purpose, manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motorcycles commonly have large displacement fairings and windshields that offer a high degree of weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, engines with a great deal of low-end horsepower, and a more relaxed, upright seating position than sport bikes.
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Particularly in the USA, touring motorcycles may be given names such as bagger, full bagger, full dresser, full dress tourer, or dresser. These monikers (often used disparagingly or jocularly) originally applied to cruisers with full sets of saddlebags or panniers such as Harley-Davidsons; but these terms may now refer to any touring motorcycle.
Full-dress tourers
Full-dress touring motorcycles are generally characterized by extremely large fairings and ample bodywork compared to other types of tourers. Hard luggage, e.g. panniers and a top box, are integrated into the design of the motorcycle which usually has a very large displacement, torquey engine with a very upright, comfortable riding position.
Additionally, optional amenities for full-dress tourers might include equipment not normally offered on other motorcycles such as complete stereos (AM/FM radios with CD players or MP3 connections), satellite radio, heated seats and hand-grips, GPS navigation systems, custom windshields, integrated air compressors, and air bags. Beyond what manufacturers supply, 'full dressers' are often customized by owners with additional accessories.
Full-dress tourers are designed specifically for riding on pavement. Common current examples of full-dress tourers include the Yamaha Royal Star Venture, the Honda Gold Wing, the BMW R1200RT and K1600GTL, the Victory Vision Tour and Cross Country, the Can-Am Spyder RT-series trike, as well as the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide and Indian Roadmaster.
Adventure tourers
A recent type, the adventure touring motorcycle is a dual-sport motorcycle that allows long-range touring both on-road and off-road capabilities. Adventure tourers have high ground clearance (for off-road purposes), large fuel capacity, under-stressed engines for high reliability. They may have rugged GPS navigation systems, wire-spoked wheels with road-legal knobby tyres, skid plates (to protect the engine and transmission during off-road use), and tough metal panniers. Modified adventure tourers are sometimes used in gruelling rally events, such as the Dakar Rally. Mainstream adventure tourers include the best-selling BMW R1200GS, the KTM 990 Adventure series, the Triumph Tiger Explorers & XCs and Suzuki V-Strom 1000.
Although most modern adventure tourers are large capacity bikes, that has not always been so: the first winner of the Dakar Rally did so on a Yamaha XT500. An recent ultra-lightweight adventure tourer for solo riders that has received positive reviews is the CCM GP450. The Kawasaki KLR650 has also been classified as an adventure tourer, and OEM luggage is supplied by Kawasaki with this in mind. Newer entry-level adventure touring motorcycles also include the 410 cc Royal Enfield Himalayan.
Sport tourers
Sport tourers are a hybrid form of motorcycle between superbikes and tourers. Forming a niche market, sport tourers combine the performance of a sport bike with the long-distance capabilities and comfort of a touring motorcycle. They exhibit much greater emphasis on sporting performance (in both handling and speed) than conventional tourers. Although Honda offers its ST1300 and two VFR sports-tourers, and BMW has GT, ST, RS, and RT models, most motorcycle manufacturers tend to offer a single sport tourer, such as the Triumph Sprint ST, the Yamaha FJR1300, the Kawasaki 1400GTR. Sports-tourers may feature hard luggage as a standard fitment or as an optional extra.