Which motorcycle to travel on

The basic one

A so-called "basic" motorcycle is two wheels and an engine, often of medium size, without fairing and without equipment. Its consumption is limited and its maintenance does not require a large budget. It is light and easy to ride on a daily basis and on short distances, but to travel relatively comfortably, it will be necessary to add accessories such as a windscreen or a bubble, and soft luggage. Because of its unattractive name for the buyer, you will never find a "basic" on the catalogs of manufacturers and dealers. So, depending on the model chosen, its engine and its equipment, the basic bike will be oriented towards very specific names and styles such as roadster, sporty or custom, which we will develop below.

The Roadster

Starting with the medium-sized bikes, it includes a whole range of machines that are powerful and well-equipped to allow you to travel with peace of mind and protection. Models such as the Honda CB 500, the Yamaha XJ Diversion or the Honda 700 Deauville have long been a staple in this market. They have all evolved into designs that place their successors more in line with roadsters and trail bikes than the basics they were originally designed for. The roadsters are also perfect for daily commuting when you live far away from your workplace. The acceptable size of most of these machines make them maneuverable at low speeds and still allow them to fit in the increasingly tight motorcycle parking spaces in big cities. As a normal evolution of the basic bike, the functional and versatile side of the tourer is its major asset. However, for regular use in semi-urban areas, it is gradually being dethroned by maxi-scooters, which are equally at ease in the city and on fast roads and are better suited to the suit of busy executives. The sporty roadsters, which are geared towards more direct sensations without sacrificing comfort, have a less upright riding position but are still bearable over long distances, and can still accommodate a passenger in decent conditions. In addition to their "tonic" engine performance, they have a good range. However, they are gradually disappearing from manufacturers' catalogs, as the segment is no longer as buoyant as it was a few years ago. This is notably the case of the Yamaha FJR 1300, which will bow out in 2021 after a very successful Ultimate Edition 2020.

The grand touring or GT

Designed for long journeys, GT motorcycles are the "queens of the road". Originally, there were two opposing schools of thought: the American, with models offering top-of-the-range comfort, but with a certain wheelbase (see Harley's Electra Glide, Honda's Goldwing - from before 2018 - or the Indian Roadmaster), and the European, with motorcycles that were also very comfortable, but less imposing in size and more lively on the road (BMW K1600 GT or GTL, RT 1200, etc.). But that was before... In fact, in 2017 BMW switched its top-of-the-range K1600 model to a bagger style (K1600 B and K1600 Grand America) that blends the two original schools. Conversely, by opting for the same bagger style, the "new" Goldwing (since 2018) has reduced its wheelbase to better adapt to the European riding style. We could have left it at that, and said to ourselves that after all, the norm was irrevocably moving towards smaller sizes. But then, in September 2021, the big American market was hit by a thunderbolt: BMW returned to the forefront with two breathtaking, oversized versions of its R18 designed for US roads: the R18 Bagger and the R18 Transcontinental.

The comfort of the driving position, the protection offered by the full fairing and high bubble against wind, noise and bad weather, as well as their load capacity (thanks in particular to a substantial and often integrated luggage compartment) make them the ideal tool for easy travel, even as a duo. In most cases, the passenger enjoys the same level of comfort as the rider. Despite their high displacement, GTs offer a good range, generally close to 350 km (excluding reserves), which means that refuelling can be spaced out.
Other equipment adds to the comfort of the trip. These include heated grips and seat, an audio system (for listening to music, communicating between rider and passenger, using a GPS or even a telephone) and cruise control.
In terms of safety, virtually all models offer integral braking and traction control. ABS has been mandatory on new motorcycles over 125cc since January^1, 2016. Only the Goldwing Tour currently offers an airbag. BMW offers automatic emergency call as a factory option.
These motorcycles can make low-speed maneuvering difficult. On larger machines, reverse gear and/or hill-start assist make things easier.

The road trail

In the middle of the 1980's, the mythical Paris-Dakar was the birth of a market based on the craze for adventure and long journeys. But in order to adapt to the environment of our urbanized regions, the pure enduro machines that could not be ridden as such in the city or on the asphalt were replaced by the big trails that were directly inspired by mythical machines made for the desert. Several models with a large displacement and size for the time flooded the market with great success: Super Ténéré 750, Honda Africa Twin 750, Honda XLV 750. Nowadays, the road trail category is very prestigious and has never stopped evolving. Among them are Euro 5 models such as the Triumph Tiger 1050 1050), the Africa Twin CRF 1000 L, the Kawasaki Versys 1000, the excellent BMW R 1250 GS or the Pan America 1250 from Harley Davidson. The upright riding position, combined with an often comfortable seat, the large range, the quality of the suspensions and the luggage worthy of many GT bikes make these trails machines suitable for long trips. Beware, however, of passenger comfort, which is sometimes questionable. Equipped with a bubble and a more or less protective fairing, the wind is generally well deflected, even at high speed. On the other hand, the protection of the legs against bad weather remains rather random. Easier to handle and lighter than the GTs, they are also at ease in town, as long as you have a physical size compatible with a high seat height and a high center of gravity.

Fitted with adapted (but not necessarily original) tires, the trails are the only ones that can afford to go off-road. But beware: the over-equipped road versions are usually too heavy to venture out on winding dirt roads, especially if they are wet, without any preparation (of the bike and the rider).

The sportswoman

Sports bikes are highly specific machines, originally designed for performance on the racetrack. However, in the face of heightened road safety, the general deployment of speed cameras on our roads and new restrictive environmental standards, sales of these machines in France are in decline. While a few legendary models have been withdrawn from catalogs in recent years, there are still some very good ones. Among the "jewels" available are the Yamaha YZF-R1M, the Ducati Streetfighter V4 Pikes Peak, the Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory, the BMW S1000 RR, the Honda CBR 1000 RR-R Fireblade and the brand-new Suzuki Hayabusa GSX 1300 RR. Sportiness doesn't go well with comfort. Over medium and long distances, the rider - tilted forward with bent legs and broken wrists - tires quickly. The less exclusive models can take a passenger, but often offer only a token seat and footrests that put knees in ears.

When it comes to luggage, you need to count on the minimum. Soft luggage, tank and side panniers, have the advantage of leaving no traces (no permanent support). However, many people resort to the good old backpack to carry their gear, which further increases air resistance and the pressure on shoulders and neck. The tight turning radius can make driving in villages with narrow streets tricky.

The roadster

The roadster, retro or modern, more or less sporty depending on the riding position, is centered around the power of its engine, designed primarily to provide sensations. It's not surprising to find little fairing, especially around the legs. The Ducati Streetfighter V4, the Honda CB1000R Neo Sports Café, the Kawasaki Z H2, the KTM1290 Super Duke R or the BMW R 1250 R, are only a few examples of roadsters on the market. Note the release in 2020 of the latest Triumph Rocket III, breathtaking with its 2,500 cc engine. Between aesthetics and practicality, sometimes you have to choose! The rider of a roadster often has to endure the constant pressure of the air on his helmet and upper body. The relatively intense muscular effort to compensate for this pressure is accentuated by the un-aerodynamic position. This becomes very annoying over hundreds of kilometers and can ruin or even shorten the trip. The installation of protective equipment, such as a windscreen or bubble, can solve this problem, provided that it is high enough to reduce the pressure on the shoulders. Add to that a high fairing, deflectors under the tank, and you have a roadster that leans towards the GT side.

Roadsters can handle adaptable luggage quite well. You can fit a tank bag or even a top case (moderately loaded). Not all roadsters are suitable for panniers because of the proximity of the high exhausts, not to mention the under-seat pots that can melt the luggage.

The custom

Custom bikes are distinguished by their chrome, paintwork, numerous accessories and anti-ergonomic riding position. Whether made in the USA or elsewhere, they're more suited to cruising than long-distance touring, even though they're increasingly equipped with outstanding engines. US models include the Harley-Davidson Sporter S and the Indian Challenger. In Japan, the Kawasaki Vulcan stands out. In Europe, after the handsome Ducati Diavel Carbon and the superb Triumph Thunderbird 1700, BMW is making us shudder with envy with its Concept R18, released in 2020 and declined the same year in the R18/2 (2020), but also, a few months later, in the R18 Bagger and R18 Transcontinental. The latter two models undeniably fall into the Touring category.

The driving position quickly becomes tiring, especially for the arms, but also for the buttocks, since the legs, which are almost stretched forward, do not relieve the strain.

Ground clearance is often very low, and should be taken into account if you intend to take winding routes. The chrome of the exhaust pipes, very close to the ground, won't stand up to the asphalt on tight bends!

For two-up travel, there are many models that are comfortable enough for the rider and sometimes the passenger, with a backrest or even armrests. On others, the passenger's space is greatly reduced. In this case, we're moving towards touring models, the GT as seen from the American side.
As far as luggage is concerned, soft saddlebags - rider or not - fit well on custom bikes. Tank-mounted panniers detract from the bike's aesthetics, but are still an option. A top-case, unless it matches the machine, also inevitably poses an aesthetic problem.

The trike

The trike is a three-wheeled machine designed from a motorcycle to which a rear axle has been added. It belongs to the category of motor tricycles and its cubic capacity is often (with very few exceptions) greater than 1000 cm3. It can be driven by any holder of an A license but also of a B license according to the conditions of the last reform of the driving license concerning motor tricycles over 125 cm. A practical training of 7 hours given by an approved establishment or association may then be necessary.

The 100% mass-produced trikes made in Europe are the prerogative of some major manufacturers such as Boom in Germany. This manufacturer currently offers one model (the Mustang) available in several versions. In the US, the most famous imported production trikes are those of Harley Davidson. After the Tri Glide, whose first models were delivered in France in 2013 on the basis of an Electra Glide Ultra classic, a second model, the Freewheeler, was added to the Harley catalog in 2017. In 2018, the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine succeeded the Milwaukee-Eight 107. Most of the other trikes you'll come across on the roads were built on the basis of big GTs by specialized companies using kits. While many trikes are based on Honda Goldwings or big Harleys, all motorcycle models can be converted. It is then important to focus on the power-to-weight ratio that you will obtain in the end, so as not to drag yourself on the roads with a machine that becomes too heavy once modified.

In Europe, many companies are able to modify your machine to make it the trike of your dreams: among the best known, we can mention Rewaco and Boom in Germany (also manufacturers), EML in the Netherlands, Qtec-Engineering in Belgium, Yukon Motorcycle Technology in Wasquehal (59) or even JLM Concept Cars in Frocourt (60)

The sidecar

The possibility of transporting a third person, especially in the case of a "family" trip, is the main interest of the machine, although the side can also be used as luggage. In the first case, the passenger in the basket, as long as it is a covered basket, benefits from a certain comfort and protection against the wind and the bad weather.
Nevertheless, riding a sidecar requires a certain dexterity. The driving sensations are different from a "simple" two-wheeler, especially in curves, and it is no longer a question of sliding with the same ease in the small streets.
To date, there are several sidecar manufacturers in Europe. In France, we can quote: Choda side-car (10), Armor Side (29), Dedome (52), Muscat (58), DJ Construction (73), Alain Pourchier side-cars (84) or Hechard (Cédric Fabien) side-cars (85). Close to our borders, we can turn to Sidcar Italia, in Italy, and especially Mobec, Ruko and Motek in Germany.

The maxi scoot

Bigger, more comfortable and infinitely better equipped than "classic" scooters, maxi-scooters, or "maxi-scoots", have widely invaded the urban market. Equipped with an engine with a capacity comparable to that of a motorcycle, most maxi-scooters have very similar mechanical characteristics. Among the current maxi-scoots with large displacements (500 cc and above), the most popular, the Yamaha Tmax 530 (which will become 560 in 2020), has seen two of its main rivals, the Suzuki Burgman 650 and the BMW C 650, disappear with the arrival of Euro 5 in 2021. The Kymco AK 550, which appeared in 2017 and has been available in a sport version since 2019, is now the Tmax's most serious challenger. The Honda X-ADV 750 acts as a hybrid. Also appearing in 2017, it not only has excellent urban and on-road qualities but also off-road abilities that were not previously expected for a maxi-scooter with a very motorcycle-like look. Available with a 35 kW version, which can be converted to full power for A2 licences.

With unbeatable protection, practical storage compartments and ease of riding, the maxi-scooters offer performances that promise to leave more than one medium-sized motorcycle behind, in town or on the motorway... Enough to take a passenger on board and ride the roads to play tourist!

Some of them are equipped with three wheels. Among the models currently in vogue are the Piaggio MP3 (300 and 500 cc) and the Peugeot Metropolis (400 cc). Among the electric models to be noticed, the French manufacturer Eccity, already known for its 50 and 125 cc, offers since 2020 the Eccity model3: an electric scooter with 3 pendular wheels, 2 of which are at the rear. It has a range of 75 to 100 km and can reach 110 km/h.

Ideal for busy executives in big cities who are new to two-wheelers, three-wheeled scooters are not very popular with hardcore motorcyclists. Since January 2013, they have required a specific licence, except for drivers who have held an A or B licence for more than two years. Among the latter (B licence of more than 2 years), those who have held their licence since January 2011 must have undergone training to drive these machines (7 hours in total).
The first 4-wheeled scooter, launched by the Italian-Swiss company Quadro, appeared in France in 2016 under the name Quadro4. This became Qooder in 2018 and is powered by a 399cc engine with 32.5hp. It is categorized as L5e and can be ridden under the same conditions as 3-wheeled models with a displacement greater than 50cc. The eQuooder is the electric version. With an engine equivalent to a 650 cc internal combustion engine, it should be available soon.

Electric motorcycles

It's no longer a dream: the electric motorcycle (and no longer the scooter) is entering our daily lives through the front door. Following in the footsteps of machines comparable to 125 CCs (see China's Super Soco and its TC Max, Spain's Volta and its BCN, and Italy's Tacita and its T Cruise), several other manufacturers are now offering much higher-powered motors on "real" motorcycles with successful designs. Most recently, two Americans have been in the spotlight: Zero Motorcycle, with its sport, roadster, tourer and trail bike ranges, and Harley Davidson, with the electric LiveWire. On the European side, an Italian manufacturer is also present: Energica, with the EVA EsseEsse9 in several variants.