Forget The Expensive Touring Bikes; This Used Road Warrior Is Calling Your Name

6 minutes reading

Saturday, 24 Oct 2026 16:31 0 6 autotech

Many riders picture themselves crossing the country on two wheels, but most never actually make the trip. More often than not, it comes down to money, as the motorcycles best suited to the job don’t come cheap. A new flagship tourer can easily cost more than $25,000 before options are added. Fortunately, there’s a loophole. Touring bikes take some of the steepest depreciation hits, leaving the used market stocked with genuine long-haulers at a fraction of their original price. One overlooked Japanese motorcycle stands out above the rest, offering comfort, range, and proven reliability without draining your savings.

Table of Contents

New Touring Bikes Are Out Of Reach For Most Riders

Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited cruising on the highway

Harley-Davidson

But There’s A Smarter Way Out

2014 Triumph Trophy 1200 touring with pillion

Touring motorcycles, however, lose value far faster than they lose their ability. Once a newer generation arrives, buyers move on to the latest tech, and the outgoing flagships drop sharply in price, even though they cover miles just as capably as before. That gap is where the opportunity lies. For a fraction of what a new flagship costs, the used market offers machines that were top-tier tourers in their day, with the comfort and range to match. Of course, not every aging tourer deserves a second chance. But a rare few, even after more than a decade on the road, remain genuinely capable long-distance bikes, and for a budget-minded rider, they make the trip possible years sooner.

The Used Honda ST1300 Is A Long-Haul Bargain

Price Range: $5,000 – $8,000 (2006–2012)

One of those rare few is the Honda ST1300, which replaced the long-running ST1100 as Honda’s dedicated sport-tourer. Known as the Pan European overseas, it arrived for the 2003 model year. Moreover, Honda brought it in limited numbers, roughly 2,200 a year at launch, so it never became a common sight. Still, a good 2006 to 2012 model can be had for around $5,000 to $8,000, depending on mileage, condition, and service history. That bargain is worth considering for two reasons. Firstly, this bike wasn’t cheap back then, as a 2008 ST1300 carried an MSRP of $14,499, rising to $15,599 with ABS. Secondly, it offers a smooth V4 engine, a 7.7-gallon fuel tank, shaft drive, and factory saddlebags, a long-distance package that’s hard to find at this price.

A Smooth V4 Sits At The ST1300’s Center

At the heart of the ST1300 is a 1,261cc liquid-cooled V4 that pumps out 125 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 85 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm, paired with a five-speed gearbox. Smoothness is what this engine is known for, thanks in part to a 360-degree crankshaft and twin counter-balancers, and that refinement shapes the character of the entire bike. Furthermore, it’s a Honda after all, and that badge brings reliability. The V4 has a reputation for being under-stressed in touring use, so owners rarely have to worry about much beyond routine maintenance. On top of that, its shaft drive is another plus for long-distance riders, as it needs far less upkeep than a chain.

It Is Accompanied By A Sporty Chassis

The ST1300 rides on an aluminum frame, with the V4 solidly mounted, so the engine itself adds to the chassis’ strength. Honda also positioned the crankshaft low in the engine and split the 7.7-gallon fuel capacity between a main tank and a second tank mounted low in the chassis, both of which help keep the center of gravity down. Suspension comes from a 45mm cartridge fork and a preload-adjustable rear shock. That said, there’s no hiding the weight. At 730 pounds, ready to ride with ABS, it takes some care to manage at low speeds.

Touring Essentials Come Standard, Too

The ST1300 doesn’t need a shopping list of accessories before it’s ready to travel. Honda equipped it as a complete touring package from the start, with hard saddlebags fitted at the factory rather than offered as an expensive add-on. The windscreen is electrically adjustable, and the seat adjusts for height, so riders of different builds can find a comfortable position for long rides. As a used example, that means the bike arrives ready for the road, and the money saved can go towards the trip itself.

There Is Usable Tech, Even By Today’s Standards

The ST1300 predates the age of ride modes and touchscreens, but the tech it does have still earns its place. Honda’s Linked Braking System spreads braking force between the front and rear wheels, and ABS was offered as an option. Fuel injection keeps it running cleanly, and the headlights can be adjusted electrically. What’s missing is just as clear. There’s no traction control, no riding modes, and no color display or smartphone connectivity, so riders coming from a modern bike will notice the gap. The upside is simplicity. With fewer electronic systems on board, there’s less that can go wrong far from home, which is no small advantage on a bike of this age.

The ST1300 Is Still A Solid Tourer For Modern Journeys

A rider leaning the 2026 Yamaha Tracer 9 into a corner on a winding mountain road, front fascia view

More than a decade after production ended, the ST1300 still compares well on paper against new sport-tourers. Honda’s own NT1100 starts at $11,999 and Yamaha’s Tracer 9 at $12,599, yet both carry smaller fuel tanks of 5.4 and 5.0 gallons and rely on chain drive. The ST1300 offers a 7.7-gallon tank, shaft drive, and a V4 engine for thousands of dollars less than either. However, it’s much heavier, and riders coming off a modern bike will miss some goodies too. But on the things that matter most for long-distance riding, which are range, low-maintenance running gear, comfort, and proven Honda engineering, the ST1300 gives up very little. For a rider who wants the journey more than the newest machine, it remains a sensible, affordable way into touring.