Aprilia Tuono 1000 R
Aprilia Tuono 1000R
New for 2006
Max naked
BRUNO DE PRATO
THE NEW APRILIA, NOW PART OF THE ITALIAN MEGA-GROUP Piaggio, inherited from the old Aprila the RSV 1000, a high-tech, high-performance, Open-class sportbike that, sadly, will never see action in World Superbike. It is powered by a compact, 60-degree V-Twin that has been carefully honed over the years to produce a claimed 138 horsepower.
NPUlT# ' i iá\ enS^ne a slightly altered tune also ^i J Powers the company’s new-for-2006 fnil^l/ I/ \j/ naked bike, the Tuono 1000 R.
w In the past, the unfaired Tuono came
in base and ultra-exotic R versions, and the latter was something to remember. Now, there is no base Tuono, only the R. While this new bike may not perform exactly on par with the previous R, it is very close, as not just the engine but also the chassis is derived from the ’06 RSV. As such, the twin-beam aluminum frame gets new geometry.
Rake was increased slightly to 25.0 degrees, while the 43mm inverted fork retains its original 33.5mm-offset triple-clamps. Trail consequently grew by nearly a tenth of an inch to 4.08 inches. Just a whisker, you might say, but enough to enhance stability without impeding steering response. Wheelbase spans 55.5 inches, with even weight distribution front to rear. Stiff 25mm hollow axles are used at both ends of the bike.
The 997cc engine is a terrific mill, producing a claimed 133 hp at 9500 rpm and 75 foot-pounds of torque at 8750 rpm. Never mind that the band of revs separating peak torque
from peak horsepower seems narrow; the torque curve is so broad and the integrated fuel-injection/ignition system so perfectly executed that usable power is available from as low as 2000 rpm. A close-ratio transmission extracts the most out of the engine. While the “official” countershaft sprocket has 16 teeth, a 15tooth sprocket is supplied with the bike, guaranteeing that wheelies are standard operating procedure.
Wide handlebar, upright seating position and moderately rearset footpegs notwithstanding, the Tuono is an outstanding performer on the racetrack. Progress through the gears is breathtaking; I saw nearly 120 mph in less than 1000 feet, though topspeed runs were limited to short bursts due to my body’s inability to withstand the 150-plus-mph windblast! Through a series of thirdand fourth-gear comers, the Dunlop D208RR-shod bike felt as if it were glued to the tarmac. Weighing just 408 pounds (claimed), the R is nimble and responsive, yet profoundly solid. Steering is precise, even when you’re hanging on for dear life while exiting a second-gear comer with those two mighty cylinders firing away. Four-pad, four-piston, radial Brembo front brake calipers and 320mm discs provide sound, fade-free stopping. Aprilia offers a long list of very attractive options, from a high-performance exhaust system to Öhlins suspension components. But even without all the carbon-fiber and magnesium goodies, the Tuono R is still the ride of a lifetime. U
