Motorcycling may often be a solitary pursuit but, like many things, it can often be better for two. Taking a pillion is not only great fun, it can be effective, efficient, exciting transport – and also a great way to go on adventures of holidays with your ‘other half’.
But regularly taking a pillion also puts a whole new parameter on your choice of bikes. Yes, most motorcycles are capable of taking a pillion in that they’re equipped with passenger footpegs, a pillion seat (albeit sometimes a very small one) and, usually, some kings of grab handle or strap. But if we’re honest, far too many bikes, and especially sporty ones, have very little appeal to a pillion and require the grip and contorting skills of a chimpanzee.
But while that may be true of ‘many’ bikes – it’s certainly not all. Which begs the question: which are currently the ‘best’ motorcycles for pillions, in terms of comfort, roominess and in providing a sense of security? Here’s our expert round-up of 10 of the current best, across a range of categories, and in price ascending order…
Budget Middleweight: Suzuki V-Strom 650XT - From £8,999
Suzuki’s now slightly aging, middleweight adventure bike, the V-Strom 650, is many things and, among them is being a more than decent pillion bike. Being adventure style means it’s upright; it’s larger and roomier than most middleweights; a top case can be optioned which doubles as a back rest; its plucky V-twin engine has a decent amount of grunt so is better than most at hauling two people; there’s acceptable weather protection and it’s affordable – all of which help explain its enduring popularity.
It’s not the only one, either. Kawasaki’s similar rival, the Versys 650, is also worth considering, as is Benelli’s TRK502, a 500cc adventure bike twin that is also well proportioned and even cheaper, if less powerful and a bit raw around the edges.
All-rounder: BMW F900XR – From £10,890
One of the most popular and competitive classes of all for 2025 is that of the middleweight ‘all-rounder’, or sports-tourer – and part of that is down to their ability to be good pillion bikes, too. Generally between 750 and 1000cc and usually lighter twins or triples, the class was spawned by Yamaha’s first MT-09 Tracer in 2015 (as its name suggests a more upright, comfortable, roomier faired version of its entertaining MT-09 roadster triple), which was an immediate hit which then evolved into the Tracer 900 then today’s Tracer9.
That bike remains hugely popular for its performance, comfort, versatility and value so much so that its spawned not only upspecced variants (the Tracer9 GT and GT+) but also rivals such as Triumph’s 2025 Tiger Sport 800 and BMW’s F900XR.
All are brilliant all-rounders and pillion bikes but we’re picking out the BMW here on the basis of its extra premium appeal and huge range of pillion-friendly options (such as heated or comfort seat and top case).
Adventure sports: Kawasaki Versys 1100 – From £11,899
One of the oddest ‘adventure-style’ bikes has also proved to one of the best – certainly for pillions. Kawasaki first jumped on the ‘adventure sport’ bandwagon with its big Versys way back in 2012 and, as it was oddly styled and based on a detuned, 116bhp version of the Z1000SX’s four-cylinder engine (rather than a ‘proper’ adventure twin or triple), caused some confusion.
But it was also comfortable (for two), smooth, a great tourer and cheap, which helped it be a big hit. Since then it’s been repeatedly updated, thankfully restyled and lavishly equipped across a family of models with the result that the latest top spec and newly-enlarged for 2025 1100 SE Grand Tourer, not only has three-box luggage, semi-active suspension, loads of electronics, adjustable screen and seat, all of which makes it a phenomenally comfy (if slightly hefty and cumbersome) pillion bike, albeit for a now pricey £17,349.
But fret not, a base Versys 1100 lives on and is virtually as good a pillion bike, too – for just £11,899.
Affordable tourer: Honda NT1100 – From £12,679
Kawasaki isn’t the only ones who still do comfortable, effective touring bikes – which, by dint, are good pillion bikes, too – at affordable prices. Honda’s NT1100 was first launched in 2021 and was originally viewed as something of a dull oddball due to its sensible, NT/Deauville heritage and Africa Twin parallel twin drivetrain. In reality, though admittedly not sexy or sporty, it’s proved a great, comfortable, versatile workhorse – and also a great pillion bike. So much so, in fact that it’s been improved further for 2025.
It ticks a lot of boxes: it’s comfortable, flexible; brisk enough; lighter than most; comes with Honda’s clever, semi-automatic ‘DCT’ gearbox option (for £1000 more) plus a new electronic suspension option and is roomy and comfortable enough to be a brilliant pillion bike as well.
Tourer: BMW R1250RT – From £17,580
Of course, we couldn’t talk about great tourers that are also great pillion bikes without mentioning the bike that’s still the benchmark in the category – BMW’s long-dominant, boxer twin-powered tourer, the R1250RT. Beloved of police forces and more for its class-leading mix of comfort (for two in civilian guise), massive adjustable fairing, creature comforts such as heated grips and seat, luggage, shaft drive and flexible boxer twin performance, the icing on the RT’s cake is its premium badge and quality accessory options.
Being a twin means it’s more manageable than multi-cylinder ‘full-dressers’ yet it’s still fast enough for most, handles far better than you would imagine and is beloved of pillions the world over – but it’s not cheap.
Luxury tourer: BMW K1600GTL – From £23,265
Great tourers – and thus great pillion bikes – don’t stop, either, with BMW’s RT. If you want more than 134bhp and two cylinders and can manage the extra bulk and expense of ‘full-dress’ luxury tourers, there is plenty to choose from. Touring specialists BMW offer more than most – in every respect. Its range-topping, six-cylinder K1600GTL debuted in 2011 alongside its slightly simpler GT sisterbike, blew everyone away with its combination of 160bhp speed, six-cylinder smoothness and astonishing sophistication and comfort and, with a few updates since, has remained the definitive bike of its type ever since.
Introduce your pillion to a GTL’s rear seat and they’ll never want to ride on anything else – although there are some ‘full dressers’, namely Honda’s own six cylinder, the Gold Wing, and BMW’s Americanised version, the Grand America, which run it close.
Hyperbike: Triumph Rocket 3 GT – From £23,895
If you want your pillion’s experience to be more potent still, nothing does it better than Triumph’s humungous Rocket 3, currently the biggest engined production motorcycle in the world, with its whopping in-line triple boasting a massive 2458ccs. As you might expect, that monstrous engine means monstrous performance but, perhaps surprisingly, it doesn’t preclude a quality pillion experience.
When the all-new Rocket 3 was launched in 2020, Triumph had the good sense to create two versions: the raw, roadster R and the more upright, more comfortable, more pillion-friendly GT, complete with screen and passenger ‘sissy bar’ to help you feel secure. The result may still be substantial and slightly intimidating, but it is pillion-friendly and does deliver one of the most monumental experiences in motorcycling!
American cruiser: Harley-Davidson Road King Special – From £24,995
American-style customs or cruisers can be some of the most pillion-friendly bikes around – although not always, as some are single seat only. With their laid-back style and low revving performance they can not only be comfortable, but relaxing and well-equipped, making them great pillion bikes. There are, also, some more affordable, ‘entry-level’ versions, with Triumph’s Speedmaster version of its Bobber springing to mind. On balance, however, US legend Harley has one of the best: the Road King is a classic cruiser ‘bagger’ with panniers and screen that combines cruiser style with touring comfort and practicality, making it a great ‘two-up’ machine.
It’s not cheap, but it’s effective, stylish, reasonably practical and your pillion will be more than happy.
American ‘full dress’ tourer: Indian Roadmaster – From £28,495
Of course, pillion-friendly American cruisers aren’t just restricted to baggers such as the Road King, above – or even to Harley-Davidson. American style ‘full-dress’ tourers, as best exemplified by Harley’s legendary ElectraGlide, deliver sumptuous comfort for two, lots of luxury including sound systems and classic V-twin character, making them a great pillion choice. What’s more, with the revival of historic US marque Indian, which was reborn in 2014, there’s now a bigger choice of these bikes than ever. The Roadmaster is Indian’s rival to the Harley ‘Glide and, being bigger (so roomier), with an even more potent V-twin engine and arguably even more luxury and style, it’s possibly an even better pillion bike.
It’s not cheap, admittedly, but then, being American and massive it was never likely to be, but the Roadmaster is probably the most sumptuous US-style pillion bike you can buy.
Trike – Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra – From £39,995
Inevitably, however, we’ve saved the ‘most’ pillion bike for last. Admittedly three-wheeler motorcycles, or ‘trikes’ as they’re often called, are not for everyone, but they can offer an even more secure, roomy and luxurious pillion experience than two wheeled versions and one in particular, Yamaha’s Niken, in being a leaning three-wheeler based on the Tracer9 triple, is also impressively sporty. Here, however, we’ve gone for the ‘most’. As well as its cut down, more hot rod Freewheeler model, the classic Harley trike is the TriGlide Ultra, which is effectively a three-wheel version of its UltraGlide full-dresser.
So, all the same comfort, luggage capacity and luxury, but on a solid three-wheel platform, offering pillions all the security and safety of a car, but with the ‘wind-in-your-hair’ experience of a bike. It’s not cheap, but no pillion experience arguably offers more.
