10 American Motorcycles Worth Riding Across The Country
America’s love for big twin cruisers, tourers, and full-dressers comes mainly from the comfort and convenience they offer, especially on cross-country tours. Today, however, American motorcycles have evolved notably, and the list of bikes worthy of being a cross-country companion goes beyond the norm to include V-twin-powered adventure bikes and even all-electric models that squash range anxiety. This list includes iconic and new nameplates from brands including Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Buell Motorcycles, and Zero Motorcycles.
This list is organized in descending order of price, from most expensive to most affordable.
10
Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Limited
Price: $51,999
This Harley-Davidson is considered the ultimate coast-to-coast tourer. Its eye-watering pricing gives it niche status, but Harley has left no stone unturned in packing this land yacht with the latest and greatest comfort, convenience, and technology. Comfort and entertainment are top-spec here, with standard heated seats and a super-comfortable saddle. The rider gets extra back support, and the pillion gets more lavish back and arm support, mounted on the huge Tour Pak top box.
Technology is uncompromised, with a massive 12.3-inch TFT running Skyline OS with wireless Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker sound system, and a slew of assistive, safety, and ride-enhancing features. This flagship touring bike also packs serious muscle, thanks to Harley’s biggest production engine: the 1,977 cc Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 V-twin. It produces 115 horsepower at 4,500 RPM and 139 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 RPM.
9
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
Price: $32,999
While this Harley isn’t as exclusive as the CVO above, the Road Glide Limited is a popular, supremely comfortable touring bike that makes 500-mile days feel effortless. Harley designed it as a comfort-first tourer. The huge shark-fin fairing not only looks cool but also improves wind protection and creates a cocoon for the rider and pillion on the highway. The rider and pillion sit relaxed, with comfortable, plush seating and floorboards.
Touring comfort is further complemented with a low seat height of 27.5 inches and dual-zone heated seats and grips. It also gets a slew of convenience and entertainment features, like wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and four speakers. The Road Glide Limited is powered by the seasoned Milwaukee-Eight 117 with VVT tech. It produces 106 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 131 pound-feet of torque at 3,250 RPM.
8
Indian Roadmaster Powerplus
Price: $32,499
This special luxury touring motorcycle balances old-school charm, bagger-racing roots, and luxury appeal of the highest order. The Indian Roadmaster Powerplus is a full-dresser that keeps the occupants cocooned in the utmost luxury thanks to plush seating, relaxed ergonomics, and a slew of comfort-focused features. Notable features include heated grips, an electronically adjustable windscreen, remote-locking saddlebags and trunk, and even adjustable fairing vents for optimal airflow.
The technology suite is also one of the most comprehensive on American touring motorcycles, with features like a seven-inch touchscreen TFT, Apple CarPlay, GPS navigation, by-wire throttle, and a six-axis IMU to help its top-tier assistive and safety features work together seamlessly. Powering this refined and surprisingly reliable luxury tourer is a 108 cubic inch liquid-cooled V-twin producing 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Indian also offers a more powerful 112 PowerPlus V-twin producing 126 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. But this model also comes with a higher price tag of $35,499.
7
Indian Pursuit
Price: $32,499
The Indian Pursuit is an effortless mile-muncher, thanks to a fusion of modern underpinnings and proven, old-school lux appeal. Long-distance comfort comes from features like an electronically adjustable windscreen, wide pulled-back handlebars, full-sized floorboards, heated grips and seats, and over 36 gallons of weatherproof storage, plus a rear supportive topcase backrest for the pillion’s utmost comfort.
Entertainment features include a seven-inch TFT screen complete with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. Indian offers a 200W audio system, which can be upgraded to an optional 600W PowerBand audio system. Other electronic features that aid in touring comfort and convenience include three ride modes, rear cylinder deactivation, cruise control, TPMS, and ABS. The PowerPlus 108 V-twin produces 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Indian also offers a more powerful PowerPlus 112 V-twin, packing 126 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque.
6
Indian Challenger
Price: $27,999
This is essentially the bagger version of the Indian Pursuit full-dresser. They share the engine, chassis, and cool-looking functional fairings. The Challenger lacks a top box, which also brings the price down notably. This, however, does reduce pillion comfort. But the driver is well cocooned with solid wind protection, a low seat height, relaxed ergonomics, and even optional heated/cooled seats. Technology features like ride modes, cruise control, keyless ignition, and an audio system further aid touring.
The Indian Challenger, while sporting an old-school visual appeal, is thoroughly modern under the hood. It gets race-spec, radially mounted Brembo brakes, sophisticated suspension including an adjustable rear Fox shock, and a lightweight cast aluminum main frame. Powering the Indian Challenger is the 108 PowerPlus V-twin producing 122 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 112 PowerPlus is also available, producing 126 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque.
5
Indian Springfield
Price: $23,999
This is arguably the most gorgeous-looking cross-country motorcycle on this list. The Indian Springfield is a certified time capsule that takes you right to the good old days. It ticks all the right boxes: retro charm, touring comfort, and good-old V-twin muscle. It shares the aluminum frame with the Chieftain and the Roadmaster, which adds highway-riding comfort and stability.
The styling is properly retro, but Indian has added practical comfort features without disrupting the design flow. It gets a tall windscreen, a low seat height of 26 inches, footboards, and a plush saddle for long highway runs. It also gets neatly integrated saddlebags offering roughly 17 gallons of combined storage space for touring duties. Powering the Indian Springfield is the seasoned, durable Thunderstroke 116 V-twin, producing meaty torque of 126 pound-feet at 3,000 RPM.
4
Buell SuperTouring
Price: $23,995
This is one of the most anticipated American-made touring motorcycles of 2026. The Buell SuperTouring is the only American rival in this niche yet desirable segment of sporty touring bikes. It is powered by a sportbike-inspired V-twin engine that produces a whopping 185 horsepower and 102 pound-feet of torque. It claims to exceed 150 mph while keeping the rider and pillion comfortable. This 1,190 cc V-twin is also the only one of its kind from an American brand.
An innovative chassis setup tames this beastly mill into a mile-munching package. It features a hollow aluminum perimeter chassis that doubles as the fuel tank for better weight distribution. The swingarm is aluminum too. It is suspended on inverted front forks and a rear monoshock; both ends are fully adjustable. Other cool features include a steering stabilizer, carbon fiber bodywork, and commendable technology like traction control, ride modes, and an available quickshifter.
3
Zero DSR/X
Price: $20,495
While most electric motorcycles still feel like experiments, the Zero DSR/X jumps a few steps ahead, offering a practical, range-anxiety-free all-electric ADV that can handle cross-country trips. The main reason is its highly efficient, energy-dense battery-and-motor combination. It gets a Z-Force 750-10X permanent magnet AC motor that produces 100 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque. A sizable 17.3-kWh battery pack powers it and delivers up to 179 miles on a full charge.
It supports Level 2 charging and can recharge from 10 percent to 95 percent in roughly an hour with the optional Rapid Charge system. Adding to its versatile riding capabilities are a steel trellis frame and fully adjustable long-travel suspension from Showa. The ergonomics are comfortable and designed for long hauls, and Zero also offers a practical, luxurious layout with features like heated grips, a tall windscreen, hand guards, and cruise control. This is the most versatile electric motorcycle on sale today.
2
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special
Price: $19,999
This is the most versatile Harley-Davidson on this list. The Pan America 1250 Special is an ADV with underpinnings designed to tread on and off the roads. It quietly undercuts most of its well-established rivals in price, especially at under $20,000. The Pan America 1250 Special runs on Harley’s most advanced V-twin engine—the Revolution Max. This liquid-cooled mill gets VVT on all its valves, which translates to ample punch across the rev band. It produces 150 horsepower at 8,750 RPM and 95 pound-feet of torque at 6,750 RPM, making it one of the most powerful Harley on sale today.
An available semi-active electronic suspension setup boosts touring comfort and adds adaptability. Otherwise, the standard fully-adjustable suspension setup is also well-suited for any challenges thrown its way. It offers plenty of ride-enhancing technology. Notable ones include by-wire throttle, a six-axis IMU, cornering traction control and ABS, electronically linked braking, and wheelie control. Comfort is top-notch, with a relaxed, upright riding posture and ample space for a cozy pillion. At 578 pounds, the power-to-weight ratio is among the best of Harleys today.
1
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic
Price: $19,999
This is one of the most affordable ways to enjoy old-school American V-twin charm. The Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic is essentially a cruiser bike with a bolt-on windscreen and leather-wrapped saddlebags. But this Harley is perfect for long hauls and highway rides thanks to accessible ergonomics, cozy seating, and a proven powertrain and chassis combination that goes the distance.
Under the classic exterior sits a slew of modern technology features, including a full suite of cornering-enhanced safety features powered by a six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and cornering drag torque slip control, all of which come standard. Touring duties are further cemented with features like cruise control, a USB-C port, and TPMS. The seasoned Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin powers the Harley Heritage Classic, producing 98 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque.
Sources: Zero Motorcycles, Indian Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, and Buell Motorcycles.
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