Tuono V4 1100 Factory

So....went to testdrive a Tuono last week and here's my experience with it.

Flippin gorgeous bike in the flesh, especially the older ones 2018 model (not a massive fan of the 2020 setting).
Between the leg the bike feels pretty small and you sit more on top of the bike than on the Speed Triple.
I always felt that I sat high up on the Speed Triple but the Tuono is "worse" than the Triple.

I started of driving a used 2018 with around 5000km on the clock. Lovely sound of course, pretty soft clutch and decent gearbox. Not as clunky as on my Speed Triple S (new version 2016).
The gearbox isn't as tight as on the older Speed Triple but did the job.

In slower speed and low revs I did feel like something was wrong with the bike, a lot of rattle "ducati style" but that disappeared as soon as you pass 3000 rpm.

Out on the main road I went for it and sweet lord what a machine, nice acceleration, not hysterical and uncontrolled, but quite smooth.
The QS worked well and the bike feels very light and nimble, a bit like I think I experienced my old Street Triple R 2009.

The "dash" is LCD and feels quite intuitive and easy to get along with, same with all the controls.

Quality feel is a tricky one to judge, the whole rattle and vibration sensation on lower revs would prob do my nut in, this is something where the Speed Triple excels, very smooth.
Seating position is another thing that I didn't expect. Now, the position is very comfortable but its far from a Street Fighter pimped Gixxer or something similar.
I have always complained that it feels like I sit on top of the bike on my Speed Triple...will deffo stop whining about that now.

I do feel its almost wrong to compare the bikes, cuz they are quite different.
Jumping on my Speed Triple on the way from the bikeshop I did feel more at home...but the power from the Tuono engine and sensation of the bike being small and light is nice.

So will I get one? Not sure...for me the pros are.

Pros:
There is a proper Aprilia place just near where I live, would be nice to just send the bike off for a service when needed instead of doing it myself (as I do today due to the lack of Triumph garages in Sweden)
The design is fantastic
The engine, dash, the way it handles etc is great
The way if feels on the road, not fair to compare but the Öhlins suspension seem to do a pretty good job compared to the shite Showa on my Speed Triple.

Cons:
Slighty more expensive insurance
The high seating position (sitting on top of the bike).
The "hey, this bike must be broken" rattle and vibrations on low RPMs
Somewhat large fairings compared to the speed triple.
I do like the Triple design more.
Stuff like heated grips isn't available, you need to go for 3rd party solutions.

I can't help feeling a little disappointed tho, but...saying that, my expectations on the bike after drooling on youtube clips for the last 4 years were way to high.
Maybe i should head off to another dealer for a second test drive ;-)

 

Ah feck...springtime and I'm back looking at Tuonos again after reading about a facelift with a few updates....

 

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/aprilia-tuono-660/

 

That's it....i'm getting a 2021 one...its time.

 

Go for it!

 

Sneaked into my local shop and ordered one yesterday day (the new model to the right). Was thinking of the new speedy RS but its time to try something new.

I know the details and not perfect fit compared to the Triumph will annoy me but looking forward trying something new. Hopefully i'lll find some decent 3rd party heated grips to it as well.

Delivery within a month...



But the bike is FAR from naked if you compare it to the speed triple.

 

Talking of heated grips, I have a set of Oxfords fitted to my Tuono, they work great.

 

Thanks for the input, will deffo look into that. My hope is that they might have added the option on the new 2021 model since Aprilia do sell heated grips on some of their models.
Otherwise I think I will go for Oxford.

 

To be honest Hans. I had the factory option heated grips on my Aprilia Caponord and I thought they were rubbish. They barely got warm even on the highest setting. I've got Oxfords fitted on all my bikes; the Thruxton and the VFR too. They aren't perfect, the controller is a bit fiddly to use with thick gloves on, but they are quite cheap to buy (here in the UK anyway) and the more recent ones have the auto turn off feature so they don't run your battery flat if you forget to turn them off. Regarding the Tuono, if you look at the photo I posted you'll see the left grip is fitted with the grip wire pointing upwards. I found if it was in the down position it got in the way of the little paddles for the traction control. They can be a bit awkward to fit, but worth the hassle I think.

 

Brilliant input, thanks

 

You are welcome mate. Post up some pics here when you get the new bike home.

 

Lovely bike SuperHans! health to ride!

 

Never seen these before, and they actually look pretty nice too.
So, how fiddly is it with wires and so on? And does the heat element add extra thickness?

 

Was planning to just own one bike and get rid of the Speed Triple.
But looking at them two together they look like they enjoy each-others company.

The Tuono is a completely different drive to be honest, find it hard to actually compare the bikes.

Initially I actually didn't like it, felt a bit sad that I spend 19grand on something that I wasn't mad about.
But after 500km I am starting to warm to it, its has some character and are just something very different to the speed triple.
Will prob love it even more after getting to know it on a few trackdays.

 

Well wear with it. Different isn’t always bad!
You’ll have to test the “two’s company, three’s a crowd” theory next!

 

Spot on @Jage

I wanted something different and definitely got it. The V4 is a different beast and it's fun to notice the differences, big and small, and realize that different solutions isn't always a bad thing.

Realised yesterday day that I have gotten used to ALWAYS pulling the clutch in when starting the bike, but that I didn't have to do this on the Tuono.
Also, the Speed Triple is much more naked than the Tuono.

I know some reviewers said that the wind protection is good on the Tuono but its not a massive change. And tbh, I kinda like that it isn't.
I do need a new pipe tho....or to get rid of the valves in the pipe that kills the lovely V4 sound on low rpms.