2007 Aprilia Tuono R Thoughts?

[Clive]

I found a great deal on a new Tuono R.  I've done a good bit of reading online, and I was hoping to get some feedback from this forum.  I'm after a more upright riding position, but I like the sportier capabilities and motor of the Tuono V-twin compared to something like the Yamaha FZ-6/FZ-1 inline-4.

My riding is mostly around-town (no trafficky commuting, though), with occasional half-day sportier outings and the odd weekend tour once or twice annually.  I'm not a kneedragger, but I do like a sportier handling machine.

I'd been looking at the Triumph Speed Triple as well.  Anyone who's ridden both, I'd love to hear your views.

I'm especially interested in the throttle response going closed-to-open or decel-to-accel.  I hate a snatchy power delivery, I do.

[keystonejenks]

8=======================D

[bizarro]

They're both absolutely fantastic bikes. I guess it will come down to whether you like twins or triples and which bike you think looks cooler. You can't go wrong either way.


Test ride test ride test ride!  

[garry]

Here's a good read on Euro streetfighters:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4023

As I'm pondering what single bike I would get to replace my ZX-6R and Wee Strom (Multistrada leading the short list), I'm leaving open the option of a naked Euro streetfighter such as the Tuono, Speed Triple and KTM SuperDuke. Can't wait to attend an Aprilia factory demo day at the end of September. I want to see if the rumors of cramped legroom on the Tuono is true for me (34" inseam).

[UFO]

8=======================D

 

+1"

[keystonejenks]

They're both absolutely fantastic bikes. I guess it will come down to whether you like twins or triples and which bike you think looks cooler. You can't go wrong either way.


Test ride test ride test ride!  

Totally agree. Isn't the Tuono lighter than the S3 though? I mean, if you're a Nancy that might come into consideration.

[s.ga.rider]

I have an 07 T. Its a great bike and an absolute blast to ride. Its comfortable and has no vibrations in the bars or pegs whatsoever. Thats a first for me. Put on a set of pipes and the vtwin sounds great.

[Clive]

I have an 07 T. Its a great bike and an absolute blast to ride. Its comfortable and has no vibrations in the bars or pegs whatsoever. Thats a first for me. Put on a set of pipes and the vtwin sounds great.

How would you rate the throttle when first coming on?

And if you had to point to the one thing that you'd like to change (other than to an aftermarket pipe or similar change, that is) or wish was better, what would it be?

[s.ga.rider]

The low rpm throttle response is a bit poor. From reading on the aprilia forum its hit and miss, some have no problems and some do. Mine had some problems around 3500rpms but I had the dealer set some of the adjustments (which were off), I added the pipes, map2 and a pc3 and its good now. There is not much I would change about the bike except what I just said. It has good power and the rotax is more like a sport bike than a vtwin. It makes its peak hp in the 10k rpm range and a simple wack of the throttle in 1rst at 4k rpms will have you in an instant wheelie.
 It handles like a dream. Once you get used to the handle bars vs clip ons you can run with any sportbike. I am actually faster on the T than I was on my zx10(in the curves of course). And you also get upright sitting and all day comfort.

[R Doug]

The Aprilia Demo Truck is going to be in my area at the end of September and the Tuono is the only bike I want to ride.  

In last year's Cycle World comparro of naked bikes (October 2006), the Tuono came out on top.  And on a side-by-side comparro of the Tuono w/ the 07 Super Duke in the July 2007 issue, they gave the nod to the Tuono because it's $1,000 less than the SD (sticker).  Of course, opinions are like butt holes as you know.  Everybody has one... some stink... some don't.  

But, several people working for Cycle World believe the Tuono is the best Naked bike you can buy in the US.  So, that has to count for something.  

[keystonejenks]

Where is thatguy, he'll tell you all about it.

[MilleArp]

Have demo'd a couple '07 Tuonos this year.  Am thinking a Tuono Factory may replace my Mille-R one day soon.

[MisterSmooth]

I own an '07 Tuono.  Picture of my T on tour last week below; we rode 2100 miles in five days and although there's the obvious windblast issue with a naked, it was pretty comfy.







The Tuono is one of the best bikes available in the market. But it's got little weather protection, not much steering lock, a relatively small dealer network, no provisions for hard luggage or even really any luggage at all (the tank is plastic, so no magnetic tank bags), relatively poor pillion accommodation, and is slightly snatchy off the throttle. It wants to be run hard all the time like a thoroughbred racehorse.  You adjust (or maybe match to) the Tuono. It is not compromising or easy to ride like a Honda is.

What it is, is bags of fun. If you can hold on to your license, and it suits your personality, there are few bikes that can give you the satisfaction of ownership that a Tuono will.

Keep in mind that at first there wasn't one ride on my Tuono where I didn't do something that I probably shouldn't have. But it's been a year and now I'm much more sedate.

And I have yet to see another '07 Tuono actually being ridden on the road.  Or parked, for that matter.  Anywhere.  I guess that's sorta cool from an exclusivity standpoint, but they're great bikes and should be better represented out there.

The pre-2005 versions are about an inch taller in the seat, so definitely more suited to somebody tall.



I rode etachell's Speed Triple very briefly.  It felt smaller than the Tuono and more planted, and top quality, as if it was made from a solid chunk of unobtanium.  Great smooth peach of a motor with lots of go.  In comparison the Tuono feels roomy and lighter somehow, like riding a 125 horsepower mountain bike.  It's like smooth versus chunky peanut butter:  The triple is creamy power and the Tuono is lumpier.



But whatever you choose remember to think about what you really want. Ride for you, not for us boneheads.

[MilleArp]

"Keep in mind that at first there wasn't one ride on my Tuono where I didn't do something that I probably shouldn't have. "

heh  

STILL that way on my '03 Mille-R.  My GF rides with me a lot.  She doesn't like it when I take the Ape, she sez I morph into someone else.

heh.

I hope that morphing never goes away!
 

.

[MisterSmooth]

"Keep in mind that at first there wasn't one ride on my Tuono where I didn't do something that I probably shouldn't have. "

Yeah, it was bad.    Every ride started out the same "this time will be different."  But then twenty minutes later I'd be popping wheelies (both intentional and unintentional), passing on the right, literally riding on the sidewalk, not to mention my habitual speeding.  

But what a way to go!    And I'm much more law abiding now.

[MilleArp]

....... And I'm much more law abiding now.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiigghht !!!!

 


.

[garry]

Got to ride a couple 2007 Tuono demos last weekend. Didn't do anything special for me on any front. Pegs were too high for that style bike IMO. Didn't feel particularly fast when given a handful. Handled like crap probably due to the spanked tires all the demo bikes on the factory demo truck had. I think they all still had the larger front sprocket too. You'd think Aprilia would put a better foot forward with the demos. Keep the bikes in top condition, put the sportier sprocket on and maybe even have models that have been uncorked to show what you'll really be riding after you do the usual mods.

The peg height is a deal breaker for me, even if all the other sins of the demo bikes could be fixed with the usual mods and fresh tires. I already own a sportbike with high pegs and am looking for a bike with more leg room, upright ergos and no loss of sportiness...

[keystonejenks]

Got to ride a couple 2007 Tuono demos last weekend. Didn't do anything special for me on any front. Pegs were too high for that style bike IMO. Didn't feel particularly fast when given a handful. Handled like crap probably due to the spanked tires all the demo bikes on the factory demo truck had. I think they all still had the larger front sprocket too. You'd think Aprilia would put a better foot forward with the demos. Keep the bikes in top condition, put the sportier sprocket on and maybe even have models that have been uncorked to show what you'll really be riding after you do the usual mods.

The peg height is a deal breaker for me, even if all the other sins of the demo bikes could be fixed with the usual mods and fresh tires. I already own a sportbike with high pegs and am looking for a bike with more leg room, upright ergos and no loss of sportiness...

Were you at the demos in Deep Creek, MD? I wanted to go but my son had other ideas. I heard they did have Factory versions there but somebody wrecked the Factory Tuono.

[garry]

Were you at the demos in Deep Creek, MD? I wanted to go but my son had other ideas. I heard they did have Factory versions there but somebody wrecked the Factory Tuono.

Yes, I was there. The Tuono Factory was wrecked at a previous demo day as were a bunch of other bikes. They stayed in the truck. They had two Tuonos, several RSVs, one RSV Factory and a Capo to demo. Plus a few scooters. Very nice folks at the shop. I heard they cut some nice deals too. But based on my demo rides (one on each Tuono and one on an RSV), I didn't even ask what the red/white Tuono in the shop would go for.

I also rode R Doug's SuperDuke for a bit. Now THAT'S what I expected from the Tuono...

[keystonejenks]

Yes, I was there. The Tuono Factory was wrecked at a previous demo day as were a bunch of other bikes. They stayed in the truck. They had two Tuonos, several RSVs, one RSV Factory and a Capo to demo. Plus a few scooters. Very nice folks at the shop. I heard they cut some nice deals too. But based on my demo rides (one on each Tuono and one on an RSV), I didn't even ask what the red/white Tuono in the shop would go for.

I also rode R Doug's SuperDuke for a bit. Now THAT'S what I expected from the Tuono...

What were your impressions of the RSV Factory?