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Aprilia Tuono - Page 3 May 21st, 2003 - By, Neale Bayly - Photos By, Paul Tidwell |
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Aprilia Tuono - Page 3 May 21st, 2003 - By, Neale Bayly - Photos By, Paul Tidwell |
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Up front, the wheels are held in place by massive 43mm Showa USD fork legs, also adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. They do a fantastic job of keeping the ride smooth while dealing well with manic braking and severe cornering. There was some chatter in the fast right-hander coming back onto the main straight, but it was not too unsettling, and I am sure the wide handlebars magnified it a little. The bars themselves look like they would be more at home on a motocross bike and are held high above the top triple clamp by some cool machined bar risers. They certainly give the bike a totally unique look and feel, and contribute heavily to the bikes agile 'do anything' feel. They are also one of the culprits which contribute to the higher than average amount of time this machine will be spending on the back wheel. Leaving Aprilia’s headquarters, Michael Orr’s last words were “it is awful easy to wheelie.” I did not even make it out of the Industrial Park before I had proved him right. More amazingly was when I found out the bikes second gear wheelie potential. A steady hand is needed as it snaps up just as quickly as most sport bikes come up in first, no clutch is needed. Attached to the front end of the Tuono is a radical looking mini fairing that provides a small manner of protection out on the highway at speed. You have to tuck in a little to get the most benefit, but no one is going to buy this bike for it’s touring abilities. While I am on the subject of bad behaviour, “honestly officer I couldn’t help myself”, I have to get onto the subject of the brakes. Starting with the rear, the Tuono has one of the most useable rear brakes I have tested lately. It was perfect for controlled sideways lock ups and for keeping the bike from going over backwards if getting a little too enthusiastic with the wheelies. It uses a stainless steel 220mm rotor and a small two-piston caliper. Honking into the gas station on my manic blast to Jennings, I found Dr. Jeckyll taking over as I slid the bike up to the pump, jumped off and killed the throbbing motor. Sorry folks, I just couldn’t help myself and I promise it won’t happen again. Want to save the rear tyre at stopping time? Just use the front brakes, they are little short of brilliant. Brembo 320mm stainless steel full floaters, they get four piston calipers, sintered pads and stainless steel brake lines. The lever action is two-finger light, with enough travel for controlled trail braking before the four individual brake pads attempt to weld themselves to the discs. If you have never done a stoppy, the Tuono will cure that. Rolling tackle on the Italian hooligan comes in the shape of a pair of lightweight multi-spoke alloy wheels. These wear the aforementioned Dunlop D207s in 120/70 ZR 17inch and 190/50 ZR 17 inch sizes front and rear. In Australia the Tuono is priced at $21,990. I was very sad to say goodbye to the naked Italian and look forward to maybe throwing a leg over one again, hopefully in the not too distant future, as it was more than a little addictive.
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Specifications
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Engine - Two-cylinder, longitudinal V 60° twin;, 4-stroke. Anti-vibration double countershaft (AVDC patent)
