10 Motorcycles That Are Shockingly Good In Heavy Traffic

When you have to commute through heavy traffic every day, you’d think you’re limited to small-displacement commuter motorcycles. But such motorcycles are usually full of compromises. The usual crop of everyday commuters is terrific in traffic but can barely handle highways or long rides. What’s worse, these bikes can be boring to ride, too.

Fortunately, you’re not limited to boring small-displacement bikes for commuting in traffic. There are plenty of fast bikes with a split personality. They aren’t necessarily designed for heavy traffic or even commuting, but they can still handle everyday commuting without compromising on the fun factor you’d expect from your motorcycle. Here are ten such options.

Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch

Starting MSRP: $5,349

The Honda Rebel 300 is your entry ticket into the brand’s cruiser motorcycle range. The bike is powered by a 286cc parallel-twin engine that makes 27 horsepower and 18 pound-feet of torque, but what makes it special is the E-Clutch. This system uses two electric motors to engage the clutch as needed, making city riding a breeze.

The Rebel 300 is also unlike a regular cruiser with a raked-out stance and lobster ergonomics, which are good for cruising but not heavy traffic. Instead, this Rebel offers a neutral riding position with mid-set pegs and a low seat height, which should come in handy while crawling through traffic. There are better city bikes out there, but the Rebel 300 stands out by offering cruiser charm without the weight and lazy handling penalty.

Honda CBR650R E-Clutch

Starting MSRP: $9,199

The Honda CBR650R E-Clutch is the type of sports bike that blurs the lines between segments. It’s an inline-four screamer with over 90 horsepower, but unlike supersport models, the power delivery is linear and less explosive. Owners claim the bike can hang with supersports in corners, too, while being gentler on your back and wrists, thanks to its slightly relaxed ergonomics.

Apart from the ergonomics and an easy-going engine character, the CBR650R also benefits from the same E-Clutch system as the Rebel 300. This lets you ride the bike around in city traffic without bothering with the clutch. And don’t worry, you still get a manual clutch lever for when you want to have fun on the road. Finally, the CBR650R is among the most reliable and low-maintenance sports bikes out there.

Honda NC750X DCT

Starting MSRP: $9,499

The NC750X DCT balances middleweight-level punch, comfort, and features with entry-level fuel economy. This ADV-type tourer is compact for urban use, despite its adventure tourer design. It even hides a scooter-grade storage compartment where you’d expect the tank to be, which can swallow a full-face helmet or essentials.

On the engine front, the bike features a relaxed 745cc parallel-twin that offers 58 horsepower with a meaty low- to mid-range, thanks to its long-stroke design. Honda pairs this engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox for a twist-and-go scooter-like experience. The NC750X will also save you a lot of money in fuel as it returns a claimed 67.2 miles per gallon, which is identical to what a Triumph Speed 400 returns.

Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory

Starting MSRP: $11,599

The Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory takes everything good about the RS 600 and wraps it in a street-friendly package. You get an upright riding position, wide handlebars, and a bikini fairing, but it’s still a proper Aprilia in the way it performs. Compared to its inline-four rivals, the Tuono’s parallel-twin engine makes the bike a more practical and real-world choice. You still get a healthy 105 horsepower, too!

Another aspect where the Tuono 660 Factory excels as a city bike is its weight, as it tips the scales at around 400 pounds. This should make the bike easy to maneuver in traffic. Out on the twisties, the Tuono 660 Factory’s light build, twin-spar frame, and Ohlins suspension transform the bike into an excellent corner carver. It’s the reason why people claim that this is the bike you buy for its frame, not the engine.

Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid

Starting MSRP: $12,499

The Kawasaki Ninja 7 Hybrid is the world’s first hybrid sports bike, combining a 451cc parallel-twin engine with a 9-kilowatt electric motor. The setup offers a combined output of 685 horsepower and 44.2 pound-feet of instant torque. With the e-boost function, this bike can accelerate from a standstill with the ferocity of a liter-class superbike, so it is still a fun sports bike to ride.

In the city, however, the bike completely transforms into a humble commuter. Put it in Eco-Hybrid mode, and it uses the electric motor under 2,000 RPM to conserve fuel, while returning fuel economy equivalent to a 250cc motorcycle. In EV mode, it uses the electric motor to crawl at low speeds. Add to that the bike’s relaxed ergonomics, and you have a sports bike that is fun and torquey on the open road and frugal in traffic.

KTM 690 SMC R

Starting MSRP: $13,399

Let’s not pretend that the KTM 690 SMC R is a very practical bike. It’s a fun bike that always wants to play, but it can double up as an excellent commuter, too. For starters, it features one of the most powerful single-cylinder engines out there, producing 78 horsepower, which is known for its raw character and, surprisingly, reliability. Its real purpose is to put a smile on your face.

In the city, as long as you can stop yourself from pulling wheelies everywhere, the SMC R has the underpinnings to hang in traffic. At 357.14 pounds, it should feel nimble and light. The tall 35.39-inch seat height should offer good vantage in traffic, while the wide supermoto handlebars give you the leverage to flick the bike around. For what it’s worth, the KTM 690 SMC R is the most entertaining way to commute in traffic.

Honda Africa Twin DCT

Starting MSRP: $15,999

Want a full-size adventure bike as a city rider? That’s Honda Africa Twin DCT for you. Sure, the bike is bred for one thing: adventure travel, but given its positioning as a go-anywhere bike and Honda’s engineering philosophy, the Africa Twin can also handle tight city roads and traffic. It starts with the engine, which is a 100-horsepower parallel-twin unit that focuses on real-world performance, complemented by a dual-clutch transmission for smooth control at low speeds.

The bike also features a lightweight frame and rally-inspired ergonomics, which are praised for being excellent for off-roading, and should also make the bike easy to handle in traffic. And if you don’t plan on adventure riding, you can even go for the Adventure Sports ES that comes with Showa EERA electronic suspension and a smaller front wheel. The Africa Twin is a complete package that feels just as at home in traffic as it does on an around-the-world adventure.

Zero SR/S

Starting MSRP: $20,995

Apart from the CBR650R, there aren’t many sports bikes that can handle city traffic, except the Zero SR/S. This electric sports bike features a direct-drive Z-force 75-10 electric motor that is good for 111 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, which takes it to a 124 miles per hour top speed. That, combined with its sophisticated underpinnings, makes the SR/S a terrific EV sports bike.

But the bike has a different side to it. With a claimed range of 171 miles, it virtually eliminates range anxiety. At the same time, the bike returns 380 miles per gallon equivalent, with an estimated typical cost to recharge of under $2. Combine that with the bike’s relatively relaxed ergonomics, and you have a sports bike that’s not only thrilling to ride but also ridiculously cheap and easy to run in the city.

BMW R 1300 RT

Starting MSRP: $22,645

The BMW R 1300 RT is the new kid on the block in the touring segment, and it’s among the most tech-heavy motorcycles ever made. Look beyond its price tag and fugly design, and you have a bike that can do everything. The R 1300 GS-derived engine is not only suitable for long-distance travel but is known for its reliability and low center of gravity, which adds to the bike’s everyday charm.

Building on that is the optional Automated Shift Assistant (ASA), making for an effortless ride in traffic. Go for the optional adaptive chassis, and the bike transforms from a stable tourer to a sports tourer, with the Dynamic ESA only making things better on the road. The R 1300 RT is a highly capable sports tourer with everything that can turn it into a fun sports bike or a daily commuter.

Honda Gold Wing DCT

Starting MSRP: $26,500

Like the Africa Twin, the Gold Wing is another segment benchmark that belongs both on the highway and on city streets. And it’s one of the very rare full-size tourers to manage that. The credit goes to its butter-smooth flat-six engine, especially with the DCT gearbox. The DCT’s Walking Mode lets you creep forward or backward under power at a walking pace, which is perfect for city traffic.

The Gold Wing also features a low center of gravity and a unique double wishbone front suspension, which gives it much lighter handling than a bike of this size has any right to. Then there’s the couch-like comfort and advanced infotainment system with speakers, which should keep you comfortable and entertained in traffic. Sure, the Gold Wing may not be as flickable as a naked bike, but in places where filtering is anyway illegal, the Gold Wing can be a great commuter.

Source: Manufacturers