There is a school of thought that states that motorcycles are single-person vehicles. This you can see in action when you look at a racetrack-optimized sport bike, or an enduro/dirt bike. However, many bikes treat the pillion like a critical part of the ride. Both these types of motorcycles meet expectations, but if you like surprises, there are quite a few motorcycles that don’t look like they offer very good pillion comfort, but surprisingly do. These range from sport tourers to budget ADVs, mid-size cruisers, and even premium performance adventure tourers. Here are 10 of them.
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Price: $6,599
Motorcycle riding in the middle of desert with mountains in back.Royal Enfield
The Himalayan 450 sports a number of firsts for Royal Enfield. It has a trellis frame, a fully liquid-cooled engine, a four-valve DOHC head, and a TFT instrument cluster. This has the most off-road capability among all Royal Enfields, and it can hold its own with some of the competition as well. That is down to the choice of size and displacement. In Royal Enfield’s home market, though, this is a premium adventure tourer, which is why it needs the capability to be comfortable for a pillion. It might not be on the level of mid-weight tourers, but in its segment, it is surprisingly comfortable for a second occupant over long distances.
image of Royal Enfield Himalayan 450Royal Enfield
Engine Type
Single cylinder
Displacement
452 cc
Max Power
40 HP @ 8,000 RPM
Max Torque
29.5 LB-FT @ 5,500 RPM
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 Celestial
Price: $7,899
Rider and pillion atop the 2026 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 riding into the sunsetRoyal Enfield
The Super Meteor 650’s simple construction and good reliability make it a great choice if you need an affordable cruiser for back-road adventures. What isn’t very well known is that the two-tone Celestial variant adds a much more comfortable touring seat, pillion backrest, and front windshield to the equation for no extra money. The chassis and driveline are already a very good package because of the great torque spread and the good handling that it offers within its means, although in some cases, the linear-rate rear springs can make things a little uncomfortable over bad roads.
A biker standing with a Celestial Red Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in a desertRoyal Enfield
Engine Type
270° I2
Displacement
648 cc
Max Power
47 HP @ 7,250 RPM
Max Torque
38.6 LB-FT @ 5,650 RPM
Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
Price: $10,399
Kawasaki
The Versys 650 is built to last a lifetime. This is a mature platform that it shares with the Ninja 650, and it also has recent modern upgrades like a 4.3-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, a manually adjustable windscreen, and quick-release luggage. However, it bases everything on a very sweet-handling chassis, a feisty engine, and adjustable long-travel suspension. This, coupled with a very well-designed seat, ensures that the pillion gets more comfort than they expect from a middleweight sport tourer.
Kawasaki
Engine Type
180° I2
Displacement
649 cc
Max Power
67 HP @ 8,500 RPM
Max Torque
44 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
Related
13 Bikes That Are Perfect For Riders Downsizing From Big Tourers
These 13 touring motorcycles are perfect for riders looking to downsize from heavyweights, offering comfort, performance, and affordability.
Triumph Bonneville T120
Price: $13,995
Rider on a Triumph Bonneville T120 cruising on a country roadTriumph Motorcycles
The Bonneville has grown from a single model to a range of products bearing that moniker, and there are different engine displacements and body styles available. Still, the traditional Bonneville T120 is the best of the lot because it follows all the classic design cues of a standard motorcycle, but it couples it with modern technology in the form of a liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree firing order. The ride is comfortable, too, as is the seat, and the modern electronics with the by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU have your back should things go sideways. If you like old-school motorcycles but also want your pillion to be comfortable, this is the one to opt for.
A rider on the all-new Triumph Bonneville T120Triumph
Engine Type
270° I2
Displacement
1,200 cc
Max Power
78.9 HP @ 6,550 RPM
Max Torque
77.4 LB-FT @ 3,500 RPM
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT
Price: $14,399
2026 GSX-S1000GT+ cornering smoothly with a passenger, front third quarter cinematic shotSuzuki Cycles
The GSX-S1000GT is one of the most pleasant surprises on the market. It might look aggressive like a sport bike, but it is genuinely one of the most well-rounded touring bikes in 2026. It does have a chassis and driveline derived from a pure sport bike, but Suzuki has done a fantastic job repurposing it for touring. It has managed to keep the price at a very reasonable level by giving it ABS, traction control, and a 6.4-inch TFT display with Bluetooth and navigation. You might have to rev it a little to get it going, but your pillion will be comfortable for an extended period.
2026 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ cornering smoothly with a pillion and side cases cinematic rear third quarter viewSuzuki Cycles
Engine Type
I4
Displacement
999 cc
Max Power
150 HP @ 11,000 RPM
Max Torque
78 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R
Price: $17,599
Kawasaki
The ZX-14R is one of a dying breed of hyperbikes, and emissions regulations will catch up with it soon. Meanwhile, if you want something large and comfortable for two and capable of taking your pillion to 200 miles an hour, this Ninja should be at the top of your list. It also has the largest production inline-four cylinder engine, which means that it isn’t down on torque, even though it has 200 horsepower. Because this is a mature design, it offers low-stress ownership with high-end performance.
Kawasaki
Engine Type
I4
Displacement
1,441 cc
Max Power
200 HP @ 10,500 RPM
Max Torque
113.2 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM
Related
10 Best Budget-Friendly Inline-Four Motorcycles
It is no secret that manufacturers are slowly phasing out inline-4 engines, but for now we still have a few great bikes to choose from
Suzuki Hayabusa
Price: $19,499
2026 Suzuki Hayabusa touringSuzuki Cycles
The Hayabusa is the Ninja ZX-14R’s direct competitor, so you know you’re getting much of the same: time-warping straight-line speed, huge cruising ability, and a practical perch for a pillion. It was always conceived as a sport tourer that could go really quickly, so practical things like bungee points and a comfortable pillion seat are standard. Unlike the Kawasaki, Suzuki has proven that it knows best, and the Hayabusa sells in large numbers and has been updated regularly. It now includes a full electronic suite and an updated design that isn’t quite as polarizing as the original.
2026 Suzuki Hayabusa launch controlSuzuki
Engine Type
I4
Displacement
1,340 cc
Max Power
187 HP @ 9,700 RPM
Max Torque
110 LB-FT @ 7,000 RPM
Ducati Multistrada V4
Price: $19,995
Riders off-roading on the fully-loaded Ducati Multistrada V4sDucati
The Multistrada has matured by leaps and bounds. The current Granturismo V4 engine uses valve springs and has industry-leading service intervals. It also has a counterrotating crankshaft, which is something you usually find in sport bikes. This is a quick motorcycle, and you can see it in the power output, but Ducati has not left out creature comforts. The pillion is also very well accommodated, but if you want that reliability without sacrificing luxury for the pillion, the Multistrada V4 S is a better choice.
Ducati
Engine Type
90° V-twin
Displacement
1,158 cc
Max Power
170 HP @ 10,500 RPM
Max Torque
92.2 LB-FT @ 8,750 RPM
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special
Price: $19,999
2026 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special in orange cornering along a mountain roadHarley-Davidson
The Pan America 1250 got a lot of headlines because of its unique properties for a Harley, like a liquid-cooled engine, long-travel suspension, final chain drive, and trellis frame. It also surprised the traditionalists because the Pan America Special is an almost perfect blend of on- and off-road ability. While the rider enjoys a commanding position, the pillion has a massive perch for himself/herself. Upgrade to the Limited variant, and you also get a large top box for added pillion support. The automatic lowering suspension will help both occupants climb on easily, too.
Front three-quarter shot of two Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special parked outdoors.Harley-Davidson
Engine Type
60° V-twin
Displacement
1,250 cc
Max Power
150 HP @ 8,750 RPM
Max Torque
95 LB-FT @ 6,750 RPM
Related
10 Touring Motorcycles Built For Cross-Country Trips
The most affordable touring bike here offers insane value with a standard automatic gearbox for under $12,000.
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE
Price: $29,999
2025 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX touring bike accelerating wildlyKawasaki
You wouldn’t expect a motorcycle so powerful that it turns distance into detail to be kind to a pillion, but the Ninja H2 SX was conceived as a premium sports tourer for two. It is a flagship for Team Green in the touring segment and therefore offers features that will increase pillion comfort, like a standard two-way quickshifter and semi-active suspension. Other interesting features include blind spot detection, forward collision warning, and self-healing paint. We wouldn’t advise using the launch control with a pillion on board, however!
Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX riding two-up through twisty roadsKawasaki
Engine Type
Supercharged I4
Displacement
998 cc
Max Power
207 HP @ 10,000 RPM
Max Torque
101 LB-FT @ 8,500 RPM
Sources: Royal Enfield, Kawasaki USA