Aprilia Tuono V4

Aprilia Tuono V4

RIDING IMPRESSION

Raising the bar for naked superbikes

TEN YEARS AGO, APRILIA made hooligan riders of the world absolutely giddy with the original Tuono, a motorcycle that redefined the term “naked superbike.” Aprilia created that first Tuono by taking the RSV Mille V-Twin superbike, stripping it of its bodywork and bolting on a wide, tubular handlebar. Presto! A legend was born.

Adhering to this proven formula, Aprilia has transformed its current RSV 4 racer-replica into the newfor-2012 Tuono V4. And once again, the company has unleashed the most potent naked production bike ever.

Though the new Tuono retains the best features of the RSV 4—including its Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronics—the engineers did make a few alterations to the liquidcooled, lOOOcc, 65-degree RSV 4 engine. These include revised valve timing and

fixed-length intake stacks for more low-end and midrange power. Additional crankshaft inertia and shorter ratios in the bottom three gears also play a key role in smoothing delivery and shift action.

But as evidenced on the CW dyno, those tweaks have not neutered the V4. Compared to the RSV 4, the Tuono produced a measurable increase in torque throughout the rev range and made 153 peak horsepower, only 2 fewer than its superbike sibling. Plus, the Tuono blitzed the quarter-mile in 10.07 seconds at 140.84 mph and was able to reach its 166mph top speed with ease.

That level of performance helps make the Tuono incredibly fun to ride. It squirts from corner to corner in an exhaust-wailing, intake-roaring rush, with the Aprilia Quick Shift allowing near-seamless clutchless upshifts through the six-speed box.

During downshifts and hard braking, the slipper clutch eliminates rear-wheel hop.

The Tuono also begs to be flicked into and out of turns almost like a big dirtbike. With a taut suspension and a firm seat, the V4 trades freeway comfort for exceptional chassis feedback. The front feels extremely planted and tracks over bumps and ripples in corners without upsetting the chassis or altering its line. The track-quality suspension is complemented by grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa radiais, affording the bike more handling agility than any 480-pound (fully fheled) motorcycle we’ve ever ridden.

Rear composure is superb, as well, and the APRC traction control offers 8 levels of sensitivity that can be toggled on the fly to fine-tune the desired amount of rear slip. Three levels of wheelie control can also be turned on/off. And Aprilia’s throttleby-wire system provides a trio of selectable throttleresponse/power-delivery modes labeled as Track, Sport and Road.

At $14,999, the Tuono V4 pays dividends with its light controls, nimble handing, confidence-bolstering electronics and stirring exhaust beat. Not to mention its genuine superbike level of engine performance.

Raw performance meets APRC Relaxed sporting ergos Excellent braking power and feel Saddle sores No underseat storage Could be a cop magnet