2009 Aprilia Tuono R

[Hitcher]

I like naked bikes. I like them a lot. Particularly when they look sexy and malevolent whilst leaning on their side stands.

It was this malevolence, heightened by an extremely sexy blue-and-white chequerboard paint job, that attracted me to today's ride, a 2009 Aprilia Tuono R.

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Styling, chassis and bodywork by Aprilia. Suspension by Showa and Sachs. Engine by Rotax. In 2009 Aprilia was new to engine construction, at that time only building the 750 V-twin mill that starred in the Shiver. Unlike Aprilia's own 90 degree V-twins, the Rotax 1000 that stars in this Tuono is a 60 degree V-twin.

Hopping on, most of the switches and controls are in the usual places. Points of difference include a kill button, rather than a switch. Click it and it stays in. Click it again to pop it out and turn it off. Similarly there's a headlight dip button rather than a switch. There's a sliding switch on the left-hand control set that lets one scroll between the odometer and each of the two trip meters. That could be useful, given that there is no fuel gauge, only a warning light.

Instrumentation is spartan. There's an analogue tach and digital everything else. That includes speed, odometer, clock and an extremely precise engine temperature indicator. Fuel gauge? No. Gear position indicator? No. Trip computer? No. Although spartan, what's there is easy to read and to understand. How trip meters are reset is not easy to figure out. One would need to read the manual to find the answer to that question.

Mirrors are well positioned and offer an acceptable and vibration-free view behind.

The 1000cc mill is smooth. It's also gutless. I was expecting much more, and was initially fooled by some quite lumpy low-speed fuelling that this engine would offer a bit of excitement. Sorry, no. I have no idea where the torque peak may be as revs just build without offering much other than a louder exhaust note. I'll have to check the manual to find the answer to that question as well.

There's a six-speed, close-ratio gearbox. This is notchy but otherwise OK. It takes a couple of seconds for the neutral light to come on, so one needs to take one's time looking for that break in transmission. Clutch weight from the hydraulic set-up is fine.

Brakes are by Brembo and are just fabulous. I'm a sucker for a lovely set of stoppers and these babies are sublimely good.

The seat looks hard and unyielding and it is. But my arse was untroubled by it. Mind you, arse and seat were together for slightly less than an hour, but usually a seat starts to demonstrate any evil intent it may have before that length of time.

Pillion set up? I went and tracked down my Gold Standard Pillion. “You want me to get on there?” she said in that way that apprehensive pillions often do. Gold Standard that she is, she did. I understand that pillion legroom is tight and there is absolutely nothing for them to hang onto other than Rider Love Handles(TM). Enough said.

Yes, I went for a ride. The suspension set up was OK and seemed to adapt nicely to my mass.

I was expecting a “street fighter” like this Tuono to, well, street fight. Instead I found it to be a bit of a whale. It felt like the front tyre was flat and showed no interest whatsoever in flickability. Something I always do when riding a bike is to weave cats-eyes down the centreline of the highway. If a bike can do this effortlessly at 70kmh, then I'll give it a pass. Most bikes I've ever owned can do this to my expectations. The Tuono, however, was extremely reluctant and indeed quite uncomfortable being asked to perform this task. What was it shod with? Michelin Pilot Powers. I wouldn't be racing out to buy a set based on today's ride.

The headlights are great. There's four of these – two low beamers and two high beamers. I didn't take these out at night to see how well they worked, but the reflections off the back of a courier's Hiace really impressed me.

I didn't check fuel economy, but presume this shouldn't be too bad if the bike is nerdled. 100Kmh is 3,500rpm in top gear, so the engine isn't being asked to work that hard at highway speeds.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5. Would I buy one? No.

Many thanks to Clint at Wellington Motorcycles for today's ride.

[ducatilover]

The 1000cc mill is smooth. It's also gutless.

Well, that was unexpected.
:eek5:
Nice write up Hitcher.

[Maha]

Yip great right up and somewhat surprising on a few aspects, but good to get a an unbiased overview of a much saught after bike.

[haydes55]

There was a guy in Taupo who I met through work, had 2 Trueno's He upgraded from an older one to a new one, he loved them. The engine might be gutless compared to inline 4's but he said it was better and smoother for road riding and it's easier to go faster on the road.

[blackdog]

Yip great right up and somewhat surprising on a few aspects, but good to get a an unbiased overview of a much saught after bike.

I see what you did they're.

[Madness]

There was a guy in Taupo who I met through work, had 2 Trueno's. The engine might be gutless compared to inline 4's but he said it was better and smoother for road riding and it's easier to go faster on the road.

I thought the Trueno was an IL4

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[blackdog]

I thought the Trueno was an IL4


True. No? Maybe he was thinking about the V4 Tuono... hey even I'm confused, they are all latitudinal.

[haydes55]

I thought the Trueno was an IL4



Engine BRP-Rotax V990, 997,62 cc 60° V-twin, 4-stroke, liquid cooled

Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aprilia_Tuono)

I'm sure it's v-twin.

[blackdog]

Oh dear.

10 chars.

[Madness]

they are all latitudinal.

I prefer to keep both wheels on the ground at all times :innocent:

[dangerous]

The 1000cc mill is smooth. It's also gutless. I was expecting much more,

I found it to be a bit of a whale. It felt like the front tyre was flat and showed no interest whatsoever in flickability.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5. Would I buy one? No.

Ummm... something wrong with this bike Id say, having spent many hours on an older one and a few on a 2010 before writing it off a month back Id say they are very powerfull more than ya need and they should not feel anything like a whale... I give them a 4.5 star.

[Gremlin]

Don't think you mentioned the sound? Set of akras and they sound bloody awesome :drool: Zapf had one, turned him into a hoon even though he usually isn't.

I found the plastic fuel tank offered no grip for your legs...

[Corse1]

Mirrors are well positioned and offer an acceptable and vibration-free view behind.

The 1000cc mill is smooth. It's also gutless. I was expecting much more, and was initially fooled by some quite lumpy low-speed fuelling that this engine would offer a bit of excitement. Sorry, no. I have no idea where the torque peak may be as revs just build without offering much other than a louder exhaust note. I'll have to check the manual to find the answer to that question as well.

I was expecting a “street fighter” like this Tuono to, well, street fight. Instead I found it to be a bit of a whale. It felt like the front tyre was flat and showed no interest whatsoever in flickability. Something I always do when riding a bike is to weave cats-eyes down the centreline of the highway. If a bike can do this effortlessly at 70kmh, then I'll give it a pass. Most bikes I've ever owned can do this to my expectations. The Tuono, however, was extremely reluctant and indeed quite uncomfortable being asked to perform this task. What was it shod with? Michelin Pilot Powers. I wouldn't be racing out to buy a set based on today's ride.

I didn't check fuel economy, but presume this shouldn't be too bad if the bike is nerdled. 100Kmh is 3,500rpm in top gear, so the engine isn't being asked to work that hard at highway speeds.

Did I enjoy it? Yes. I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5. Would I buy one? No.


Oh well from a pevious owner I agree with pretty much everything apart from the handling. I found mine to be gutless unless you are above 6000rpm which a lot of people agree with. there is no instant drive from lower rev's. People who like high revs seem to get a better result. Was a but loud with Akras at higher revs all the time.
I also owned an earlier model "Racing" which had a much more exciting power delivery mind you I had an aftermarket chip etc etc. Its fair to say I was extremely dissappointed by the later model thinking I was upgrading.
The handling I found was good with easy flickability but not as quick steering as lets say a 2005 speed triple which I have also owned.
I did find the ergos very comfortable and better than the speed triple but not as goos as the earlier shape T. You sit in the earlier T and on the later model.
Fuel economy sucks. Ride it easy or hard and it still delivered the same crap fuel consumption. About 170kms on 12 litres regardless.

Yep i should never have written off the Racing. Racing I would give a 4.5 out of 5 and the later model T about the same as you hitcher 3.5. I do like the proposition of the v4 Tuono.

[AllanB]

Don't let Dangerous near it.........

[BMWST?]

well that was interesting,i have always wondered about one of those...they look good to my eye

[dangerous]

Don't let Dangerous near it.........na, Ive moved on to a 1050R now Allan...

[orangeback]

i've owned 3 of these , and there must be something wrong with the bike you ave tested, they come with a another front sprocket under the seat that livens them up , and if you do a 15/43 or 45 sprocket change over the OEM 16/40 they are really lively, wheelie at will in any of the first 4 gears , anytime . They handle pretty good out of the box , but ive spent some serious $ on setting mine up , i would not rate the the brakes on them, the rear brake is the weakest point i found , but i fitted a 13 mm slave over the 12 mm one with a little difference, wind protection is pretty minimal as well. ( but i'st a naked )
Ive owned a long list of jappas (gsxr's zx10r hayabusa etc) and found this to be one of the better bikes i've ever owned.
so dont let hitcher average review put anyone off looking at one , its his view and he's intitled to it.

European plate fitted , or just sample pic

[Hitcher]

European plate fitted , or just sample pic

Just a sample pick. I went out today without my camera. Same colour scheme though. A very sharp looker.

[SPman]

You are having fun though, aren't you......

[Gremlin]

You are having fun though, aren't you......
You clearly jest. Since when did anyone have fun riding a bunch of bikes trying to find one they like?

It's hard dirty work, we should feel sorry for the poor bugger...

[Hitcher]

You are having fun though, aren't you......

Indubitably.

[haydes55]

I gots trolled :facepalm:

[orangeback]

another thing the bike must have been running on map 1 with stock pipes, not map 2 ,
they are thirsty any which way you ride them , as Corsa said , i could under stand why his was lacking a little power as his was and earlier model with smaller ported heads ( pre 07 )
a good comparison to these (rsv-R rsv-tr Tuono ) in performance would be a good GSXR750 mid 2000's onward,
sorry if I'm getting on the offensive here, but if i was looking at one and read you review , it would have put me off,
Where i believe a few facts to be wrong, as you may have a badly set up bike you've ridden , due to some playing with clickers , not knowing what they have done, and running m1 on 16/40 gearing not the recommended 15/40
If you run into me at a rally i'd be happy for you to ride mine and in sure you would form a completely different opinion.

[Ocean1]

I've been lucky enough to have sampled a few bikes of the same model, it's quite shocking how different they can feel. That rotax is a peach of an engine in almost every incarnation I've encountered, albeit usually thirsty. Almost. I wonder if you came across the machine once owned by a friend, it'd been to most experts in town but never did come right. He eventually gave up on it and sold it a year ago.

Even the three XB12s I've had have felt quite different. The first was sporting a race kit and had benefited from some dyno time, but even the two XB12X's have felt different. The current one's due for some bling, eventually.

H is a fairly big chap, and I wonder if he might suite a biger than average V twin. Ever tried an MT01 Hitch?

Edit: you're mort than welcome to come play with the 1125 any time, with or without your wallet. Although I suspect if you fancied one you'd have tried one already.

[Madness]

I gots trolled :facepalm:

Was it good for you?

[dangerous]

Yeah na, I dont get the 'gutless' comment... while this engine I have allways thought pulled more like a mulity than a V2, they have more power than one can use on the road, spose its what ya expect and compaire to... did ya open the taps up Hitcher?

[Drew]

They're punchy after 5-6k rpm, but they are slow and underpowered for a 1000cc motorcycle meant for sport and fun use.

As for the guy going on about it being the best bike he's had, that also is his opinion.

I don't like them, particularly reliability when it comes to starting the thing after a couple months without use. But opinions are free and varied.

[SPman]

Never tried a Tuono, but I've ridden a Falco with a bunch of RSV mods on it - it felt quite punchy off the mark - well - it wanted to pull the front up all the time, anyway.....and it was loud.

[Drew]

they have more power than one can use on the road, No such fucken thing old man!

[Hitcher]

another thing the bike must have been running on map 1 with stock pipes, not map 2

I rode it as it got wheeled out of WMC's showroom. It had stock pipes. Alternative engine maps and spare sprockets under the front seat were not in my frame of reference. It was a nice point and shoot bike, just don't give it anything too twisty to cope with was my assessment. Again, like spare sprockets under the seat and alternative engine maps, I'm certain that a skilled practitioner could do marvellous things with the suspension.

I did give it a bit of a squirt and had a wee bit of sport with some dude on a Daytona, but I didn't get aroused. Indeed I reckon Mrs H's 650K6 with its Robert Taylorised modifications tracks better around corners and I also think my former GSX1250FA would have had comparable whoosh. Both Suzukis have better fuelling and one of those has carburettors. I was more excited by its colour scheme and the promise of riding it at night to see how well its headlights worked. Make of that what you will.

[BMWST?]

and I also think my former GSX1250FA would have had comparable whoosh.

surely thats not a bad comparison?

[dangerous]

No such fucken thing old man!hey... nuff a the old, I dont need reminding man.
My point if I had one, was how come I can keep with the most powerfull of bikes on the road when I ride all off 82rwhp and 250kg? if Im having fun then a tuono cant be gutless now can it? unless the rider cant ride for crap and needs hp to grin ;) sure compaired to the new Vmax we are all gutless. :crazy:

[Drew]

hey... nuff a the old, I dont need reminding man.
My point if I had one, was how come I can keep with the most powerfull of bikes on the road when I ride all off 82rwhp and 250kg? if Im having fun then a tuono cant be gutless now can it? unless the rider cant ride for crap and needs hp to grin ;) sure compaired to the new Vmax we are all gutless. :crazy:I won't stroke your ego for ya man. You know why you can beat them.

I can have fun on a 15 horse bucket, does that mean it's not gutless?

The new Vmax is not that spectacular for power output.

[Corse1]

I had mine running on map 2 and Akra full system, fully serviced with new DNA filter, new iridium plugs etc etc. Even the guy who tuned it said it seemed a bit flat in the lower RPM after a test ride. Had throttle lag until you were up above 5-6000rpm. Thats why I said gutless. Sure you could keep up with anything if you liked caning the thing all the time. Maybe it was the bike, although the guy I sold it too reckons it went better than his mates later gen II that had the bigger valves. Anyway I was sick of trying to make the thing go better so sold it.:lol:

[beyond]

Hey Hitcher,

The one you rode must have been totally stuffed or something seriously wrong with it. I tried one of the Vtwin models for quite a few K's that had a set of Akra's on board. It handled beautifully, you could really whip it through the tight twisties and it had stonk to spare. In fact, I loved the GSX1400 as a good all rounder and the Tuono would be my next choice before say a Triumph Speed Triple which I also liked.
The Tuono would power wheelie easy in all the first three gears. At about 120kmh in third as soon as you hit 7,000RPM the front would loft easily and smoothly.

I really enjoyed my ride on it and it would vouch it's a good bike.

[vifferman]

As for your ready dismissal of the Pilot Power, Mr H, it may well have been a bit lacking in kPa. I've one on my VFR (which is a relatively front-heavy bike), and it handles very well, apart from when it's a little underinflated. Mind you, despite being a rough-looking beastie with around 65k miles under its wheels, it's well fettled in the suspension department, with Racetech and Ohlins fiddly bits.

[Corse1]

Believing that my experience was with a bike that MAY have had a problem in the engine management department I would still love to own this model:cool:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-528235304.htm

[Hitcher]

I would still love to own this model

That one's a Factory, not an R. I would be surprised if that one lacked voom.

[jrandom]

The 1000cc mill is smooth. It's also gutless. I was expecting much more... revs just build without offering much other than a louder exhaust note

Yeah, this was my exact reaction the first time I hopped on an Aprilia. Albeit a Futura, so probably the most whale-like of them all, but still. Yeah. Pretty meh for a 1000cc v-twin.


It felt like the front tyre was flat...

It probably was.


Michelin Pilot Powers

You like the various incarnations of Pilot Roads. Powers handle sharper than Roads. Something was wrong with that bike. Probably tyre pressure. How worn were the tyres?


Would I buy one? No.

Wise.

Hey, are you going to hold off until December and try the new model 690 Duke when it arrives?

[Maha]

That one's a Factory, not an R. I would be surprised if that one lacked voom.

Butt ugly though eh?...whats with the colour scheme and god awful cans?

[Corse1]

That one's a Factory, not an R. I would be surprised if that one lacked voom.

For sure it is but no difference in motor specs. only paint, carbon fibre and suspension

[Gremlin]

Butt ugly though eh?...whats with the colour scheme and god awful cans?
It's Italian, since when was logic ever considered during production?

[Maha]

It's Italian, since when was logic ever considered during production?

Enzo ver ends like....never.

[dangerous]

That one's a Factory, not an R. I would be surprised if that one lacked voom.
as below...


For sure it is but no difference in motor specs. only paint, carbon fibre and suspension

[ducatilover]

It's Italian, since when was logic ever considered during production?

I've looked in to this, here's what happens:
Monday thru Thursday: Talking about an idea
Friday morning: design glorious bike, paint wheels gold
Friday lunch: WINE TIIIIIIIMMMMMEEEE!!!!!!!!
Friday - thru Sunday: Very drunko, make-a bike-a good, like-a pasta

[Corse1]

as below...

Oh sorry dangerous. forgot the oz forged wheels on the factory as well