In many parts of the world, motorcycles are an inexpensive mode of every day transportation. But let’s face it, when it comes to countries like the US, motorcycles are considered primarily a fun toy to use on the weekend or occasional getaway. While it’s true that a lot of riders in the US do use their motorcycles as every day commuters, that number is staggeringly low when compared to countries like Indian or Thailand. As such, majority of the motorcycles used there from the likes of Bajaj Auto, are of low cost and displacement. But places where motorcycles are a premium hobby? That’s another story all together.
Updated August 2023: Manufacturers come up with special editions and new motorcycles every year, as well as increasing the price even more for some. To keep our readers up to speed with the most expensive production motorcycles, we have updated this article to reflect all relevant information.
BMW K 1600 Grand America Option 719 Midnight
Starting MSRP: $30,725
BMW made its name with expensive and beautifully-built touring motorcycles such as the R80RT and R100RT in the 1970s, before the GS adventure bike took over as the flagship model and boosted the company’s fortunes immeasurably. But BMW hadn’t abandoned its touring bikes completely: the K 1600 appeared in 2011, and took the motorcycling world by storm, with its silky-smooth inline six-cylinder engine and sophisticated chassis and electronics.
Performance Specs
|
Displacement |
1,649cc |
|
Engine Type |
Oil/water-cooled inline-six DOHC |
|
Horsepower |
160 horsepower at 6,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
132.7 pound-feet at 5,250 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
809.1 pounds |
|
Transmission |
6-speed helical |
The Option 719 Midnight Black for the Grand America version adds even more luxury, as BMW adds high quality paintwork, aluminum Midnight badge, and a cloud print and model name lettering on the bench seat.
Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak
Starting MSRP: $31,595
The Multistrada V4 was already an amazing platform, but Ducati decided to up the ante by turning it into a sportier beast with the Pikes Peak version. Named after the famed hill climb, the Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak offers a whole new array of capabilities, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection.
Performance Specs
|
Displacement |
1,158cc |
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled Granturismo V4 |
|
Horsepower |
170 horsepower |
|
Torque |
92 pound-feet |
|
Curb Weight |
472 pounds |
|
Transmission |
6-speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) |
Apart from the extensive electronic suite, Ducati redesigned the geometry such as the rake and positioning of the foot pegs. The rake was revised to 25.75° instead of the previous 24.5°, as well as pushing the foot pegs back by 10mm to give it a sportier feel. Ducati also added a single-sided swingarm to emphasize the sportier nature of the Pikes Peak version.
Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag Automatic DCT
Starting MSRP: $32,900
Back in 1974, Honda dared to take Harley-Davidson head-on in the large touring bike class with the flat-four-engined, shaft-driven Gold Wing. That first model was un-faired and Honda saw it as a large sports bike but soon realized that owners were using it differently and turned it into the supreme touring bike we know today, with a huge fairing and all the bells and whistles.
Performance Specs
|
Displacement |
1,833cc |
|
Engine Type |
Liquid-cooled boxer-six SOHC |
|
Horsepower |
124.7 horsepower at 5500 RPM |
|
Torque |
125.4 pound-feet at 4500 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
853 pounds |
|
Transmission |
7-speed automatic DCT |
Over the years, the size and complexity increased, as did the comfort and mile-eating ability. In 2018, a completely new Gold Wing emerged, more compact and lighter but still a technical tour-de-force. The engine – a six-cylinder since 1987 – grew to 1,832cc (111.8cu.in.) and produces 125 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. It is silky smooth and the suspension is now electronically adjustable.