Ono you didn't. Oh yes I did tuono.

[Croak]

Been hankering after a Gen 1 Tuono for, well, years, but something always got in the way.  But with me not taking my three-week tour this year, combined with the rock-bottom pricing in this market, there was enough in the piggy bank for a reasonably priced example.  And I found one.  

I'm the proud new owner of a 2003 Tuono, with 29k miles.  Not worried about the mileage on that Rotax, especially since the first owner (up to 28k) was a service technician.

Going to tweak it a wee bit to suit me, but it's got the big farkles already, as long as I can avoid the carbon fiber disease this shouldn't be a money pit.  Maybe.  We'll see how the suspension suits, that's the only optional thing I can really foresee spending more than a few hundred bucks on

Love the color, even like the 2003 frame and swingarm color, but don't dig the "what the hell was Aprilia thinking?" blue OZ wheels. Wish those were still the stock five spokes, but that's a solvable problem, and I can live with the blue if I have to.

Now comes the waiting.  The bike is in LA county, I'm in Vancouver, BC.  Can't ship it until the check clears, so I'm looking at mid-April before my ass is in the saddle.  That's like two whole WEEKS!  I guess I'll just have to pull a plug wire on my Sprint and pretend, in the meantime.  

[Sport-Touring]

[FiremanBob]

Congrats. Why ship? A fly'n'ride would be much more fun.

[Rincewind]

Sweet ride, congrats and enjoy.  

[BobW]

Right color and +1 on the Gen 1  

Safe travels and Cheers!

[Croak]

Congrats. Why ship? A fly'n'ride would be much more fun.

Yes, it would, but scheduling and logistics rules this out, not to mention many of the "fun" roads I'd usually take coming from SoCal would be closed or in piss-poor condition this time of year.  And I'll be damned if I'd slab it back a thousand miles on I5, may as well have bought a Honda if I was going to do that.  

[Medic09]

Congrats on the new ride!  Sorry you can't ride it back.  I've gone Vancouver to LA a few times, and there are some great stretches along the way.  Was never sorry.

[MisterSmooth]

Yeah, baby.  


My favorite Tuono quote is from Gabe Ets-Hokin.  "The Tuono is a wonderful blend of crazy and crafty…It's like dating a porn queen, except when you take her home she puts her hair up in a bun, dons her glasses and does your tax returns for you."


Make sure you join AF1's Aprilia forum.  That's the best source of information on these bikes, especially the first Gen.


OK, the blue wheels are a tough go with the bronze and gray.  But those are OZ wheels from a Mille R, and functionally the lighter OZ wheels are waaaay better.  I put OZ's on my second generation Tuono mainly for the golden bling.    Sure, people posted up how great lighter wheels are, blah blah blah.  But even a hack like me can tell the difference.  


Here's my T with the OZ's.  Maybe you can trade someone your blue ones for gold?

[Croak]

Make sure you join AF1's Aprilia forum.  That's the best source of information on these bikes, especially the first Gen.


OK, the blue wheels are a tough go with the bronze and gray.  But those are OZ wheels from a Mille R, and functionally the lighter OZ wheels are waaaay better.  I put OZ's on my second generation Tuono mainly for the golden bling.     Sure, people posted up how great lighter wheels are, blah blah blah.  But even a hack like me can tell the difference.  


Here's my T with the OZ's.  Maybe you can trade someone your blue ones for gold?

Bought the bike from an AF1 "for-sale" post, so yeah, I'm a member.  


As for the wheels, I've got the even more rare non-radial OZ forged, so trading is going to be tough.  You can use the non radial wheels on radial brake bikes with a spacer, but AFAIK, they don't make a reducer.     

I'll probably end up sending them off to be powder coated black, or if I'm feeling frisky a good color match to either the Magnet Gray, or the "Bronze Titanium" that's used on the frame.

In the meantime, if people don't like my wheels, well....

[Croak]

Oh, and to make it even more sad about the wheels, the guy I bought it from is the 2nd owner, the first owner had installed a beautiful set of Marchesini magnesiums on it, and the 2nd owner swapped those (even swap) for the blue OZ wheels because "the Marchesini wheels were boring looking".

Here's the for-sale picture of my bike a year and a half ago, with the Marchesinis:

[DNA]

Congrats on the bike.  I think the blue rime look great on the white bikes - not sure about your colrs.

Those gold one's look SO F$$KING SEXY - I really want one of these.

I think the Street tripple woudl e nice - but this is my real desire.

[Croak]

Street Triple is too gutless for a man of my substance.    Hard as it tries and light as it is, that 675 just doesn't have the torque to keep me happy.

[Castaway]

Congrats on the Tuono - one of my favorites.

Instead of powder coating I'd go with anodizing ... if it's possible to anodize something that's already been anodized, if you know what I mean.

Too bad about the wheel exchange.

[MisterSmooth]

Oh, and to make it even more sad about the wheels, the guy I bought it from is the 2nd owner, the first owner had installed a beautiful set of Marchesini magnesiums on it, and the 2nd owner swapped those (even swap) for the blue OZ wheels because "the Marchesini wheels were boring looking".

Here's the for-sale picture of my bike a year and a half ago, with the Marchesinis:

Dude, you're killin' me here.     "Boring looking"??   Like Heidi Klum bores me, she's so...so...generic.  

Powder coating the blue wheels might be the way to go.  Seriously, the OZ wheels are a big improvement over stock.  

Congratulations again.  You will not regret this purchase.    When's the delivery date?

[Croak]

Biggest problem with powder coating is the hassle.  Easiest method is to drop the bike off at a shop, have them pull the wheels, peel the rubber, prep them, and send them off someplace locally for coating, but that's days and days of not riding it!  I'll probably just develop selective color blindness until later in the year, then deal with it.  Probably about the time I need new rubber. 

Pickup is tomorrow AM, which is good.  But ETA for delivery to Blaine, WA is the 26th, via Federal Motorcycle Transport.   That's a slow trip from Los Angeles for sure. 

Actually, the waiting is downright dangerous, at least to my bank account.  I've already ordered a FAMSA tank bag setup (with another base to use on my Sprint), a Sargent seat and rear seat cover, 2nd Gen mirrors, new black bar ends and front sliders to replace the red, axle sliders all the way around, clear front lenses, a new rear seat, quick release seat and tank pins, a replacement grille for the right coil cover, and oil filters.  And I'm looking at some carbon fiber bits, which is a slippery, slippery slope.

Finally, most of my riding gear is actually Triumph-branded (good stuff and locally available rather than brand-worship), so fashion dictates that I'll have to acquire an Aprilia-appropriate or brand-neutral wardrobe for when on the Tuono.

But hey, I'm doing my part to stimulate the economy, right?  The exchange rate also makes it easier to justify.

[MisterSmooth]

...Actually, the waiting is downright dangerous, at least to my bank account.  I've already ordered a FAMSA tank bag setup (with another base to use on my Sprint), a Sargent seat and rear seat cover, 2nd Gen mirrors, new black bar ends and front sliders to replace the red, axle sliders all the way around, clear front lenses, a new rear seat, quick release seat and tank pins, a replacement grille for the right coil cover, and oil filters.  And I'm looking at some carbon fiber bits, which is a slippery, slippery slope.

Finally, most of my riding gear is actually Triumph-branded (good stuff and locally available rather than brand-worship), so fashion dictates that I'll have to acquire an Aprilia-appropriate or brand-neutral wardrobe for when on the Tuono...

Holy cow, that is an excellent post.     Ordering all that stuff is just about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on.  

But yeah, go easy in the carbon fiber department...you could spend as much money as you spent on the bike!  

[Croak]

Since that post, I've added:

Gold anodized aluminum radiator and oil cover grilles, an Eastern Beaver fuse block, a trick L-bracket to mount a Powerlet socket in front of the exhaust hanger/footpeg bracket, an extra cradle and cables for both my Zumo 550 and TPX radar detector (plus another visual alert LED).  And I didn't totally avoid the carbon fiber;  heel guards and front fender extender and a carbon fiber cover for the instrument panel.  Oh, and I scored a Hyperco rear spring that's suitable for my mass dirt cheap.

But I'm done for now, I promise.  

I have to be done, because to go any further violates my prime rules of motorcycle purchases...my bank account must never fall below X, and I must immediately pay off my credit card debt incurred in purchases.  

Oh, and they picked the bike up today.  

[fxrbill]

Keep the Oz wheels.How about trying a gold rim stripe to accent the lower tank color?Only a couple of dollars invested and no down time.

[Croak]

That's not a bad idea.

[cb400]

I just picked up an 03, and I like blue....though there are no blue wheels on mine.

If you want to fix that, let me know what we can work out.

Won't have it in my possession for a few weeks, though.
--jeff

[Dan K]

I owned a wonderful '03 magnet grey T for a couple years, even had it next to my SPrint for a short while.  I miss that bike, but I'm limited to 2 in the garage and it didn't fit my needs - commuter tourer with wind protection, particularly from the rain I tend to get caught it on the way home (Sprint) and trackable street bike - my Daytona 675.  

I probably could have just tracked the Tuono, but as a novice, the power combined with my balls and lack of skill would likely have been a bad combination...

Enjoy - great bikes.  Not sure what's up with the blue wheels from the newer generation, but it must be dealt with to preserve the beauty of that Tuono.

- Dan

[Croak]

The wheels are actually from the OLDER generation, they're off a 2002 Mille R (back when R meant what Factory means now).  Also, the newer generation wheels are generally much heavier cast units that only look like the trick forged OZ units, plus they won't fit on non-radial caliper 1st Gen bikes.  I've got some gold rim stripes coming, hoping that will minimize the blue without going too far into blingville.

I live in rain country, ride year-round sans snow, but I wanted something to stir my soul more than the Sprint.  The Sprint is a great bike and will be with me for years to come, but it's not the right tool for every job.  It's now my "SUV".

Looked long and hard at the Speed Triples...the 955 suited my sense of aesthetics more, but riding one really didn't FEEL that much different than the Sprint when it came down to brass tacks, chassis was different but the engine was the same.  The 1050 was more powerful, but still felt the same, plus I always felt like the proverbial elephant on a roller skate thanks to the absurdly short tail section.  As for the Street Triple, besides looking too much like a Speed, I need torque, it doesn't have any.  

[Croak]

Keep the Oz wheels.How about trying a gold rim stripe to accent the lower tank color?Only a couple of dollars invested and no down time.

Gold stripes worked.  Broke up the blue nicely, so much so that my eyes stopped bleeding.

Sadly, the bike was a bit mis-represented.  Cosmetically, it's about a 5/10 in person, with elbow grease and chemistry maybe taking it 6.5/10.  Decals did not age well.

Also going to need a new sprocket on both ends.  Rear tire was so worrisome I stopped and overpaid for a stealership set of Dunlop Q2s.  Good thing I did, the fork pinch bolts were loose enough to turn by hand.  Oh, and the battery terminals were held on with zip ties (I'm not joking).

Good news is, it runs out strong, rear brake actually works, clutch is lighter than my Sprint, and it's just a hoot to ride.  And the Arrows are loud as hell, we're talking asshole H-D loud (but of course, way cooler).  There's an exhaust repack in my future, and maybe tracking down or fabbing up some db-killer insert sleeves.

Got home about 7PM, spent the evening fiddling and farkling.  Prelim setting of the sag,  2nd Gen mirrors fitted, a quick bathing, FAMSA tank bag fitted properly, Sargent seat installed with quick release pins, clear lenses on the indicators, all the slapped on red/white Aprilia stickers removed, red bar ends replaced with black, axle and fork sliders installed, Zumo and TPX wiring ran (still waiting on a fuse box), mounts for both on the riser via RAM m8 balls, and a general walk around and tightening up of any fastener I could find.

Still to come is installing the a stiffer shock spring, mounting gold mesh radiator/oil cooler protectors, covering the new rear seat I bought with the matching Sargent cover, getting the leads properly fitted to the battery terminals, maybe installing the gold Pazzo knockoff levers if that's not bling overkill (and it already has black CRGs), and of course lot of elbow grease as I give it a proper wash and polish. 

Battery is probably the only thing I'll fuck with tomorrow, since it's supposed to be 65 and sunny.  Damned if I'm going to waste that wrenching and washing.

[DNA]

Sounds like it is coming along nicely - sorry for the condition.

Coming from a Sprint as well, I'm really jones'n for a Tuono  as well.  Torque sluts all think alike.

Post up some more pics as you go.

[Croak]

Did a bit of work over the weekend.  

Here's some so-so cell phone no flash shots of it in the parking garage at work.  The cheap red/white decals removed, Sargent seat, 2nd gen mirrors, wheel stripes, FAMSA tank bag base, gold mesh radiator/oil cover grilles, axle/swingarm sliders, red "V60" decals that I'll probably be taking back off, and a lot of elbow grease.  Bike was described as "mint"...my ass.

Had to stick with the red bar ends for now, the replacements I ordered need the Aprilia end weights that thread into the bar end, and have an M6 bolt hole for the bar ends.  The red ones use a rubber expansion plug.  And the slider pucks I ordered to replace the red LSL pucks require the OEM mounting, which the LSL's replaced.  Guess I'll either have to track down the factory brackets, pay through the nose for replacement LSL pucks in black, or live with the red.  

[Castaway]

If I had a dollar for every time that the words 'mint,' 'pristine,' are used when the product is only 'pretty good,' I could buy a new Tuono.  

The bike looks decent in your pics, though.

[Dan K]

You will so enjoy that bullet proof motor.  Good luck keeping the front wheel down.

- Dan

[Croak]

You will so enjoy that bullet proof motor.  Good luck keeping the front wheel down.

- Dan

Pretty easy to do right now.  The damned thing is running 16/40 (yes, 40) sprockets and 520 chain.  16/42 525 setup ordered on Saturday, we'll see how that does me before I jump right into a 16/44 setup.

[Dan K]

I guess you could use it as a long distance tourer...I did have a rear seat substitute (3 layers of plywood with brackets and a seat pin to attache to the bike and a Givi monokey plate bolted on top), but that isn't what the bike is for.  It will be a completely different animal with the new gearing.  Enjoy it.

- Dan

[Croak]

Heh, yeah, I've still got the Sprint for long distance stuff, not going to spend much on luggage for the Tuono (beyond the awesome FAMSA bag setup).

[Dan K]

I used some Nelson Rigg saddle bags. rode a bit close to the exhaust, but they had some heat shielding on the bottom.  Those plus the top case made it a great tourer when I wasn't averaing 85+mph, but I alawys felt like the bike was kind of unhappy with me for putting on all the bags...  I can say when I hit the back roads on the way through NW Indiana and SW Michigan, I was glad to be on the T... but it still felt silly when all loaded down.   I do love my current bikes, but I definitely would have preferred to hold onto it.  Again, enjoy.

- Dan

[shredder]

Tuonos rock!  Hooligan!!!!  I had an 04 t for a bunch o years.  GET A GABRO CHIP! for it if you don't already have one.  The bike sux without it, after you ride one with it.  Seriously, best mod I've ever done to any bike.  Also, check to see that the air box restrictor is gone, super easy if not and worth the effort for the growl that comes with it.

[Croak]

Tuonos rock!  Hooligan!!!!  I had an 04 t for a bunch o years.  GET A GABRO CHIP! for it if you don't already have one.  The bike sux without it, after you ride one with it.  Seriously, best mod I've ever done to any bike.  Also, check to see that the air box restrictor is gone, super easy if not and worth the effort for the growl that comes with it.

I don't need any more growl.  It barks, it wags its tail, it sits up and begs, it chases postal workers.  :0

Finally got a shot of it in the sun today, with a real-ish camera:

[MisterSmooth]

The gold stripe on the rims is a nice solution.    Looks good!

[Dan K]

It's a band aid.  Lose the blue when you can. Until then, love the Tuono anyway.

[MisterSmooth]

It's a band aid.  Lose the blue when you can...

I'm surprised how well the stripes bring it together.  

But OK, you want more?  How about a bronze powdercoat to match the frame and swingarm?  Tasty.  

[Croak]

A little bit of trivia.  It seems I have the only 2003 Tuono legally registered in Canada.  

[Dan K]

I'm surprised how well the stripes bring it together.  

But OK, you want more?  How about a bronze powdercoat to match the frame and swingarm?  Tasty.  

That would work!

Function over form tho - the bike rocks.

 -Dan

[klavdy]

Haha!
Good stuff, I just bought one as well , also off the AF1 list!


Done a few things to it already even though I haven't even seen it,its at a mates place in America and I'll go ride it at the end of the month.

Bunged on an Ohlins steering damper and rear shock, got rid of the stupid bar end mirrors, few other bits 'n pieces,

 

We're off to Hayfork and Hwy 36, should be good.

[BobW]

Nice and congrats! Post more photos and ride details after you meet her and get intimate  


Cheers

[Rincewind]

Haha!
Good stuff, I just bought one as well , also off the AF1 list!


Done a few things to it already even though I haven't even seen it,its at a mates place in America and I'll go ride it at the end of the month.

Bunged on an Ohlins steering damper and rear shock, got rid of the stupid bar end mirrors, few other bits 'n pieces,

 

We're off to Hayfork and Hwy 36, should be good.

Nice one, Klavdy.  I hope you do some vids on her. 

[klavdy]

G'Day mate!
Tiger 1050 boards too, eh?
I sure will do some vids, just scored two of those Drift 170 HD cams that are going to replace the Mini DV tape based system that's been used on the Tiger.
I've still got my Tiger and an FJ1200 in Aus,just replaced the U.S based FJ with the Tuono.
Should be good.

[Croak]

Somebody stop me.  Please?

Bought these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380337974353&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

and these (needed to make it work)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380337975330&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

(all of which came off of #198 of these:  http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/aprilia/aprilia_tuono_r%20LE%2003.htm )

to go with the Ohlins rear shock I bought last week.  Also ordered the proper "gentlemen of substance" springs for both front and rear.

Passed up on these though (which are a near perfect color match for my frame):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380337982011&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380337981555&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT

But it was either the functional and fashionable upgrade with the forks, or the appearance-only upgrade with the wheels (my blue wheels are the same wheels).

[MisterSmooth]

Well, f*ck yeah!   I saw that tasty stuff on the interweb for stupid money, and you of all people scooped it up.  Excellent!  

Now you know what to do with it.    Go wear it out.

[Croak]

Weather finally held today after raining like hell all weekend (it's a Canadian holiday up here, Beaver Day or something).  Burned a tank and a half of fuel, and even got some decent phone camera pics of it, up on top of Cypress Bowl.   Really looking forward to getting the Ohlins rear and forks on it, with the proper springs.  It handles my fat arse decently with the stock bits, but wants to wallow more than I like on tight low speed stuff.  And the gold forks should raise the bling quotient up a bit.  

Gabro F255 chip on the way, which should liven it up quite a bit, taking real advantage of the full 2-2 exhaust, and smoothing out throttle snatch too.

Since the last picture I posted, I added/replaced more farkles; note the black bar ends, titanium front sliders, black pegs, along with the carbon fiber coil and side covers (and non-busted grill).   Also removed the dead gold decal from the tail section (that was a pain), replaced the yellowed clear rear lenses with new red ones, and went with a gold DID 525 chain (and 15/42 to replace the old 16/40, that was a good upgrade, much snappier AND more manageable in town).  

Probably be adding a CF expansion tank cover and belly pan and calling it a done on bling.   Really.  











BTW, anyone know if they make Dynabeads in lead (or depleted uranium)?  Might help keep that front tire down.  

[MisterSmooth]

    Yep, wheelies when you want it to...and sometimes when you don't.  

But that's the fun in it, right?  

[Croak]

Got the Ohlins bits installed today. Quite pleased with the results, even though we just did an eyeball sag setting (just me and the mechanic) for now.  The whole buckboard thing is gone, it's very supple and compliant, doesn't get unsettled in corners, all the usual Ohlins platitudes can be applied here.  Particularly happy with the improvement in the rear.

And that wheelie thing?  It's worse now, or better, depending on my mood.  With the proper rear spring for my lard mass, there's not so much squat when I give it the berries, so the front wheel lofts sooner and higher under power.  Still controllable, just more effortless.

EDIT: Quick and dirty indoor phone camera shots.  

[Croak]

While at the Borscht Burn, Mr. Zanetti  "coaxed" me into doing a little WOT fun for posterity. 

Unfortunately, I had no idea posterity would be so unflattering to my posterior. 



First thought after backing off the throttle was "Damn, should have let the front end come up, would have looked awesome on video".  First thought on seeing the video was "Damn I like fried chicken and cheesecake too much".

Bubba nailed it though...it's more than a bit obnoxious, decibel-wise.

[Dan K]

Resurrect -

I sold my Daytona in the fall and bought another '03 Tuono.  It also needed a little TLC, but it's been given and the bike runs like a champ.

Can't wait to play with it. Have a gabro chip in the garage, waiting for install, and plan to derestrict the exhaust...there's a method to it...prior to replacing the stock boat anchor.

Need to repair the heated grips.  Put new Q2's on it and WOW.  I am a happy man.  It's at a buddy's in storage, so I don't get to see it often, but I can't wait to get it back and play.

- Dan

[Pete Roper]

In my shop at the moment.



Every time I rode one, or even look at one, a bit of wee comes out......

Pete

[expatbrit]

Oooh!

Gorgeous. I've seen apocryphal reports of maintenance nightmares on those -- any comment?

(I still need to mug Jim and steal his for a day at some point. Just to find out.)

[Pete Roper]

All the V4's I've had anything to do with have been very reliable. One had a leaky coolant hose. One had a leaky oil seal on its clutch shaft.

The motor is one of the most elegant and simple designs available and the whole bike weighs so little you need to park it with a brick on the seat to stop it blowing away in a gentle breeze.

I adore them. They're just far too much motorbike for me to want to own one. I'd be dead or in gaol in a week!

Pete

[MisterSmooth]

I adore them. They're just far too much motorbike for me to want to own one. I'd be dead or in gaol in a week!

Pete

Yeah, that's it right there.  What a fantastic bike.    Like riding a guided missile, though.  Holy cow.  

[Pete Roper]

The owner of that one wrote his first one off within 2,000km!

I have to say I was a bit perplexed when he told me how it happened.

He was apparently riding a road he was unfamiliar with and 'Not hanging about', (That set alarm bells ringing!) but a few km before the end of the twisty bits the 'Speed advisory signs stopped'   and he went into a tightening radius bend too hot because he was 'Expecting the road to open up again' and tossed his brand new Tuono into the scrub.

I mean??? Who pushes hard on a road they don't know? If you are unfamiliar you at least do a couple of low speed passes before you attempt a flanking run but most of all  'Speed advisory signs'? These have zero consistency at the best of times! To pay them any attention as anything other than a bit of road furniture you might hit if you come off is a sure-fire recipe for a pine overcoat!

No wonder my insurance premiums are so high!

Pete