You can tour on anything. People go around the world on Honda step-thrus and ride 250cc singles to the South of France, two-up. But a purpose-designed tourer just makes it so much easier.
What do you want from a decent tourer? Comfort, range, luggage capacity, weather protection and torque rather than brute power. Shaft drive is nice, but not essential. That said, all five bikes here are shafties.
£6750 2014 TRIUMPH TROPHY 1200
• Dealer price £7500-£9750
• Private price £6500-£9000
• This one 2014, 6500 miles, £6750
Not one of Triumph’s great sales successes, though it’s probably the best here. It’s got a fabulous engine, has decent handling, glorious comfort and more gizmos than you can shake a hefty stick at.
It uses the same engine as the Explorer…