Top 10 Best Selling Tourers of 2017

It’s that time again, when the RideNow team take a look at the tourers you liked most over the past year. These are our best-selling tourers of 2017.

1. Harley-Davidson Street Glide and Street Glide Special

New to the list for 2017 are Harley Davidson’s Street Glide and Street Glide Special. Harley made some huge improvements to the Street Glide and, as a result, it’s our best-selling tourer of 2017.

The first upgrade was the powerplant, the new Milwaukee Eight engine replaces the old Twin Cam 103. Harley has also increased the engine’s size from 1,690cc to 1,745cc, resulting 11% more torque which equates to 111.4 ft-lb. So, even though the Street Glide weighs a hefty 830 pounds, it still pulls.

The suspension too was tweaked for 2017. Between the emulsion shocks at the rear and Showa Dual Bending Valve forks at the front, the handling has improved noticeably. 

2. Indian Chieftain (including Elite, Limited and Dark Horse)

Just like 2016’s list, the second spot goes the Indian Chieftain, which includes the Elite, Limited, and Dark Horse models.

The Ride Command system takes center stage on the Chieftain’s 7” touchscreen and can, at times, make it feel like you’re riding a high-speed computer. The ‘high-speed’ comes courtesy of the 1,811cc Thunder Stroke 111 engine, which produces a colossal 119.2 ft-lbs of torque.

The 100W stereo sounds amazing and, if that’s not enough for you, you can add saddlebag speakers. The Chieftain has all the electrical accessories you’d expect on a top-of-the-range tourer, such as remote lockable bags, power adjustable windscreen, and a keyless ignition.

3. Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Road Glide Special

Stylistically, opinions are divided over the ‘shark-nosed’ Road Glide and Road Glide Special. Some people love them, some hate them. But 2017 was clearly a year of love for the Road Glide, as it was our third best-selling touring bike.

Like the Street Glide, the Road Glide uses the Milwaukee Eight engine, which produces 111.4 ft-lb of torque. Although this is only a few more ft-lbs of torque than the old Twin Cam 103, it’s spread across a much broader power curve.

There’s no shortage of optional extras on the Road Glide, including GPS, touchscreen, and linked brakes with ABS.

Things like One-Touch saddlebags and Brembo brake calipers come as standard. There’s also a Boom! Box 4.3 audio system as standard but, if you want more, it can be upgraded to the Boom! Box 6.5 GT audio system. 

4. Indian Roadmaster (including Custom and Special)

Indian’s Roadmaster gets a respectable fourth place this year, down from first place on 2016’s list. This isn’t due to any failing on Indian’s part, the competition was just fierce.

It’s swooping fenders pay homage to Roadmasters of the past and it wouldn’t look too out of place in the 1950s. Until you look a little closer and see the Ride Command system, an infotainment and navigation system – not very 1950s, but a welcome upgrade for 2017.

Like the Chieftain, the Roadmaster uses the Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin engine to pull all 912 pounds (dry) of it.

The Roadmaster will return 41 mpg, combine this with its 5.5-gallon fuel tank and you get a 226-mile range. All the extras you’d expect are present: an electric windshield, audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB connection point. 

5. Harley-Davidson Road King (including Custom and Special)

The Road King screams Harley-Davidson and, for some, it is the definitive Harley. Although it didn’t make our top 10 list last year, Harley has given it some upgrades for 2017 which proved to be a success.

‘Big piston’ Showa Forks, along with rear adjustable shocks, have improved dampening and handling for 2017. The Road King uses the same Milwaukee Eight engine as the other two Harleys on the list, which returns approximately 55 mpg, giving the Road King a range of 273 miles.

The Road King isn’t about frills and endless lists of optional extras - there’s not much on offer apart from its hard panniers and a Plexiglas screen. But that’s the charm of the Road King, the beauty is in its simplicity. .

6. Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero and Voyager

The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 is the first of the Japanese brands to hit our list and comes in two variants, the Vaquero and Voyager. Although Kawasaki isn’t known for their baggers the Vulcan 1700 is an extremely impressive offering. 

The side-opening hard panniers mean you get 35 liters of storage space between them, which is more than enough for a weekend away.

As you would expect from the Japanese manufacturer, the Vulcan 1700 is loaded with electrics including, multi-function LCD screen, two 40W speakers, radio and iPod compatibility, and electronic cruise control.

The 1,700cc, liquid-cooled, fuel injected, V-Twin powering the Vulcan produces 107.6 ft-lb of torque @ 2750 RPM, meaning it’s unlikely you’ll need to downshift to overtake. 

7. Victory Magnum (including X-1 Models)

Set yourself apart from the pack with Victory’s Magnum, a truly larger than life motorcycle.

The first thing you’ll notice on the Magnum is its 21” front wheel, the largest ever fitted to a production bagger. The next thing that will jump out at you is the paintwork, which is loud, to say the least.

This, combined with the 100W, six-speaker, stereo system and LED headlight, means the Magnum will always draw attention. And, if you really want to cause a stir, you can opt for the X-1 - its 200W, 10-speaker, sound system is explosive.

Yes, the Magnum is a seemingly wild bike, but not at the expense of creature comforts. You’ll be glad to know, things like cruise control and ABS are standard on the Magnum. The Freedom 106, V-Twin powerplant, which produces 106 ft-lb of torque, means the Magnum can back up its mean looks. 

8. Indian Chief Vintage

Indian’s Chief Vintage is the perfect combination of retro style and modern-day performance. So, it’s no surprise the Chief Vintage made our top 10 list in 2017.

Between the whitewall tires, the authentic leather skirt on the desert tan seat, and removable leather saddlebags you could easily be fooled into thinking the Chief Vintage really is from another era.

Until you realize it has a keyless ignition, a quick-release windshield, and cruise control. Enjoy everything you love about old motorcycles, without any of the hardships.

The Chief Vintage uses the same Thunder Stroke 111 engine as the Roadmaster and Chieftain, so you can expect the same stellar performance.

9. Victory Cross Country and Cross Country Tour

The Victory Cross Country may not get the same attention the Magnum does, but it still ticks all the right boxes.

Weighing in at just 768 pounds the Cross Country is one of the lightest baggers on our best-sellers list. The Cross Country Tour is a bit beefier, tipping the scales at 876 pounds, but it also offers the largest total cargo capacity on any production touring motorcycle – 41.1 gallons!

The Cross Country Tour also features a 200W, eight-speaker, Bluetooth and USB audio system. Again, the Freedom 106, V-Twin is the engine of choice. 

10. Honda Goldwing

Of course, it makes the list, it’s the grandfather of all tourers, it’s Honda’s Goldwing. The Goldwing has been synonymous with touring since it was first launched in 1975.

You won’t be left wanting for electronic gizmos on the Goldwing, which comes in three trim packages.

The basic Audio Comfort package includes electronic reverse, premium surround sound, cruise control, and heated grips. The next level up is the Audio Comfort Navi XM package, choose this and you’ll also get Sirius XM radio, weather and traffic bands, and GPS navigation. If you go for the top-of-the-line Audio Comfort XM ABS package, you’ll also get combined anti-lock brakes.

Unlike the rest of the V-Twins on this list, the Goldwing is powered by a 1,832cc, liquid-cooled, flat six which produces a tire shredding 123.2 ft-lb of torque. Although it’s the torquiest engine on this list, the Goldwing’s flat six is famous for its smooth power delivery.