Road test today- Twas great !!!

[Blimey]

Finally got to road test a Aprillia Tuono today.

Result loved it

Torn between the Superduke and this now

Found the Tuono more refined, easier and smoother to ride in traffic then the KTM but not as punchy when you wind open the throttle.

The KTM is i think a prettier bike but i have been warned thier build quailty isn't up to scratch.

The Tuono i rode did scare me a few times mid corner as it was moving around way too much for my likeing, but when i got back and had a feel about the rear was set way too soft.

Had trouble finding neutral, anyone else know of this prob ??

What really really bugs me is why don't they fit a fuel gauge. I can't get my head around this. Always had one and can't see how the rest of you who don't have one manage. It would drive me mad

Anyway anyone who could give me pointers on ethier these 2 bikes then please do. Its going to be one of these before the years out

Oh and it also proved why i am going for a unfaired uprighty cause as soon as i jumped back on my RR it felt like it was on rails and just wanted to fly

One of these new bikes will deffo do its job of making me safe on the road

[Rsv4Col]

As said before mate i had an RSVR from new and it was brill Still miss it now
Finding neutral is a well known problem and i found the easiest way was to snick it into neutral while still moving.
you got to get a set of arrow cans for it mate, sounds awesome

[Blimey]

As said before mate i had an RSVR from new and it was brill Still miss it now
Finding neutral is a well known problem and i found the easiest way was to snick it into neutral while still moving.
you got to get a set of arrow cans for it mate, sounds awesome

Was going for the Akro's as they can get a deal with these and have the map for them, same with the KTM though

Its a bleedin hard choice and one i can't really afford to take at mo but will do at some point

[Plunger83]

I love both the bikes, personally i think the Tuono is the better bike

You will soon get used to not having a fuel gauge, I always just set the number one trip ometer when i re-fuel and always look for a garage at around 90-100miles. I can get a good 30miles of sensible riding with the fuel light on though.

Best of luck with the bike you choose, im sure you wont be dissapointed

[Blimey]

I love both the bikes, personally i think the Tuono is the better bike

You will soon get used to not having a fuel gauge, I always just set the number one trip ometer when i re-fuel and always look for a garage at around 90-100miles. I can get a good 30miles of sensible riding with the fuel light on though.

Best of luck with the bike you choose, im sure you wont be dissapointed

Have you got a Tuono then ???


If so any dislikes that come to mind ???

[julian]

Finally got to road test a Aprillia Tuono today.


What really really bugs me is why don't they fit a fuel gauge. I can't get my head around this. Always had one and can't see how the rest of you who don't have one manage. It would drive me mad

i've been on test rides and not realised untill i'd left that there was no fuel gauge, not knowing how much fuel i had i rode at a Harley pace and retured early

[Taz]

The Tuono.

[Milky]

wasnt there some design problems with it?.. i read when it came out.. about if the bike slides on one side the foot pegs dig into one of the spar and can cause a write off. or something along those lines. i'm probably wrong haha it was in MCN

[TLS-Moose]

I haven't ridden an SD, so don't know about them, but I (personally) wasn't that impressed with the Tuono at last years Aprilia test day ...... I thought the engine felt flat/gutless (it did have the stock pipes on it), the handling felt very "tippy" and the riding position odd (high bars, and footpegs too high & too far forward) ..... but as everyone else raves about them, it must be me

Personally, I reckon what I've got has a much stronger engine (if you can live with the rest of the bikes "bad habits" )



To be honest Mark, I'd say go with whichever floats your boat - from the write-ups of both whichever you choose you won't be disappointed

[graham22]

I test rode both & bought the SD. You felt too high on the Tuono, mainly due to the length of the bar risers - this in turn made the front end feel remote, also I understand what Moose said when he thought it felt 'tippy'.

The SD riding position is not as sit up as others, you're quite well leant forward still cos the bars & risers are fairly low plus the foot rests are quite rear-set too - seat is a little high but this just gives decent leg room despite the footrests being set back.

Performance wise, I've run mine at the recent Mag Drag/Run what you brung. Was able to leave a Fazer FZ1 and match the time of a 954 Blade, actually got to the finish before him as I had a better launch but ETs were identical at 10.64.

Definately go for the Akras & re-map, saves alot of weight and heat plus it livens things up even more. Reliability, there was an issue with starter clutches on all of the LC8 engines which have now been resolved (mine was sorted under warrenty), build quality itself is better than Kawasaki/Suzuki and not far off of Honda. Mines done 10,000 miles & wil still clean up like new, the only signs of it's miles are some paint stone chips on the rad (which I will touch up with black paint) fork bottoms, swinging arm etc still like new.

I've always had sports bikes (Blades, EXUP, FZR1000, RG500, 350YPVS) over nearly 20 years and thought long and hard about selling my GSXR1000K2 to buy this; I've always liked the idea of a super naked bike but always felt disappointed with Bandits & Hornets as they rode second rate to a decent spec sports bike; both the SD & Tuono will ride/handle as good as your CBR.

You'll also get used to the windblast, with leathers you can sit at 100-120 (on a race track) for surprising lengths of time, you'll be more aware of flappy waterproofs.

Fuel guage - never had a bike with one, the trip starts counting when the fuel gets low and the light comes on, usually can get 20 miles from mine with the light on. Early ones had small tanks which can give 75miles til the light comes on when your using A-B roads or 100 miles using motorways/cruising - later ones have a bigger tank.

Again I'm biased but 3 years ago was facing the same decisions as you are now.

One final point, with a naked dark colour bike you don't attract attention like you would on a brightly coloured faired bike with colour matched leathers. I originally thought it was just me but having read it somewhere else I'm not alone in thinking this. I still love sportbikes (was drooling over the new R1 on Saturday) but have to admit, I'm having more fun on a bike now than I have for quite a while.

[graham22]

Personally, I reckon what I've got has a much stronger engine (if you can live with the rest of the bikes "bad habits" )

Just spotted this, I've always liked the TL but I'm not heavy enough to make the suspension work. My mate has one & we swapped when out for a ride last summer. Whilst the TL felt very lazy it just didn't pick up the revs like the SD.
When I tried to prise my mate off of the SD his words were "Fcuk me, and they call that (TL) engine bonkers? it's like a pussy cat compared to this (SD)".

The TL rides as you expect a V-Twin to ride, the SD is more like to Moto-X singles (and that's what it sounds like too, don't expect a lovely V-Twin noise from the SD).

[TLS-Moose]

Just spotted this, I've always liked the TL but I'm not heavy enough to make the suspension work.

Whereas I'm a fat b'stard ..... There again, mines now got Bitubo/Maxton suspension anyway ...

How standard is your mates TL With a Yosh full system, modded airbox, K&N, PCII, and transistor TRE mine was measured at 125 at the rear wheel (on a Dyno where usually a good 996 put out 110-115) - but I take your point on the speed with which revs are picked up .... There's a lot of extra weight inside a TL engine (japanese warranty lawyers ), plus the design is 6/7 yrs older than the LC8

Looks like I'm gonna have to blag a test ride - the SDR cup bikes do look rather nice

[Taz]

Ever thought of a Kawasaki Z1000? I think I'd prefer one of those over a Tuono, especially the new Z1000 with the new front end.

[graham22]

Suzuki had potential to make a super naked with the SV1000 more recently - imagine GSXR Suspension, Yoshi spec cams, newer injection, lightened internals plus a little bit of B-King. I guess the lawyers stopped them. I think the SV is still a great bike (did test ride one of those too).

Two people who I knew who got on very well with the TL were both 16-18 stone; one being Richard Stephens or Motorcycle Sport & Leisure, he was really fanatical about the TL and thought all the 'issues' were more to do with the press not being able to ride/understand what a big V-twin was all about. I still would love to ride a sorted one; on my mates one we just backed off some of the settings on the rear & it really helped.

G

ps - SDR is limited by the concrete seat; an SDR with a SD seat/panels is getting a popular conversion especially as the 08 model came with full Akra & hotter heads - now wheres my lottery ticket.

[TLS-Moose]

Suzuki had potential to make a super naked with the SV1000 more recently - imagine GSXR Suspension, Yoshi spec cams, newer injection, lightened internals plus a little bit of B-King. I guess the lawyers stopped them. I think the SV is still a great bike (did test ride one of those too).

Speak to James at JHS in Bristol .... 140 - 145 reliable rear wheel BHP from an SV ..... he had a real beaut with GSXR front end, Niron rear, Ti-Force exhaust, Marchesini's, etc.,

Two people who I knew who got on very well with the TL were both 16-18 stone