IT’S funny really but the bikes we normally associate with shattering power and headline-grabbing high-speed ability tend to be superbikes designed with little or no concession to practicality. Why’s that odd? Because back in the real world it’s touring bikes that are likely to spend more of their time heavily laden – and therefore needing more power and torque – and cruising at three-figure speeds for long periods of time.
Way back in the distant past it was touring bikes that formed the basis of racers. After all, it’s not called the ‘Tourist Trophy’ for nothing. Sure, over time, purpose-made machines have taken their place on the track, but surely the logic that meant tourers were the fastest and most powerful bikes available back in the TT’s formative days should still have some relevance now?
Which brings us to this, the list of the top ten fastest, most powerful tourers you can buy. Of course, defining a ‘tourer’ is fraught with complication. After all, what’s a sports-tourer? Does a Hayabusa qualify? Surely you could tour on an S1000RR? So to create a simple definition we’ve applied one straightforward rule: if it comes with panniers as standard, it’s a tourer. If not, it’s out.
So, here’s the countdown. Feel free to throw in your own suggestions as to what we’ve missed or got wrong.