Aprilia Tuono 1000 R

Aprilia had the wonderful idea of inspiring their biggest naked motorcycle, the Tuono 1000 R, on their superbike master, the RSV 1000 R. It resulted in the most powerful and aggressive naked motorcycle of all times, one which not only leads the class, but determines other manufacturers to put their hands on a pencil and take a few notes.

The Italian manufacturer created a unique looking motorcycle featuring great technological achievements that tend to take it away from the streets and head it straight towards the track, where it came from in the first place.

Initially Aprilia was known for producing small displacement motorcycles with great success, but in 1998 they introduced the RSV Mille which displaced 998cc. The bike was highly successful and entered the superbike world to gain experience which was later used on enlarging Aprilia’s line of products.

One of the bikes that appeared as a consequence of the RSV Mille is the Tuono, a naked bike first introduced in 2002. Its V-Twin engine displaced 998cc and the bike came with loads of attitude, perfect for riders seeking for in and out of town adventure. I know what you’re thinking and yes, the circuit wasn’t out of the question either.

In its first years of production the Tuono would have looked more like a naked sportsbike, but with the years passing by and the tendency changing more towards streetfighters, Aprilia quickly took measures and made it look a bit more suitable for the fight with the British. The result is the first production streetfighter to ever see the streets.

Streetfighters gained popularity in the last years and that is mostly due to the competition between the models that stand tall and represent this relatively new category. One of those bikes is the Triumph Speed Triple which features a 1050cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line three-cylinder engine developing 131bhp at 9,250rpm. The Triumph features no kind of fairing whatsoever so it is a more qualified streetfighter. It is practically defined through its two headlights which seem like a bug’s eyes. The rest of the bike’s exterior is very stylish and modern featuring sharp lines which speak about the bike’s capabilities. Also characteristic to the Speed Triple are the blacked-out engine components, rims, and the single-sided swingarm. A powerful competitor that is!

Call it everything you feel like, but never ugly. The Aprilia Tuono 1000 R is one aggressive looking machine that reveals the Italian style with success. Basically an RSV 1000 R without the fairing, it is the most unique looking naked motorcycle on the streets today.

The small nose fairing which was developed in the wind tunnel seems also taken from the RSV 1000 R, but significantly reduced to the bare necessity, consisting in air intake, headlights, and a small screen. It looks like it’s going to bite you so it is best to be cautions. This threatening beast had its handlebars raised for greater comfort and for easy city use. Even though it doesn’t cover its engine with plastic, it still features those nice, lateral spoilers and the one found at the inferior side of the bike. These elements have also the purpose of protecting the rider’s legs from the wind.

Taking your eyes off the sophisticated-looking mechanics you immediately notice that the fuel tank, seat, and the bike’s rear end look exactly like on the RSV 1000 R, with blended in taillights and everything that comes as a must on a sportbike.

For 2008, the Aprilia Tuono 1000 R is painted Fluo Red, Dream Blue, and Diablo Black.

It was time for me to get a feel of another big naked and I couldn’t have been more anxious. The Aprilia Tuono 1000 R is known for its powerful acceleration and versatile behavior so I was in for quite a ride. I quickly fired up the two cylinders which are positioned in Aprilia’s favorite engine configuration the V-twin which in this case outputs 139hp and 107Nm.

As soon as I gave it a go, it made me say to myself that this is a bike for the experienced rider who wishes a distinct feeling concerning acceleration, handling, and versatility. I was properly accommodated, thanks to the rearranged footpegs, but most important, the inviting sound coming from the back determined me to get the best out of it.

The 998cc V-twin pulls very strong from down low, making the bike perfect for city use. It also feels light and maneuverable so it can be leaned easily. It feels practically like an RSV 1000 R with raised handlebars and lowered footpegs. The feel in the throttle and the adrenaline levels are all the same making this bike perfect for doing wheelies and stunts in generally.

It also proves being a great performer when it comes to the open road because it accelerates linear all the way through the powerband and the six ratios of its gearbox. This last unit proved very easy to operate and the clutch that separates it from the massive engine is also effective and characterized by smoothness. The incredible amounts of torque delivered by the engine keep the bike going strong in any given gear, but I mostly appreciated second gear and third for city use while fourth and fifth prove ideal for the roads surrounding a big city. Passing cars on the freeway doesn’t require you to downshift. You aren’t even advised to blink because you’ll surely miss it.

The twisty roads are its best friend as the chassis is perfectly adaptable to any riding style and the engine backs it up by accelerating strongly out of the corners, leaving the rider extremely impressed and willing to take this baby back home. I would have done so but it was time to form a better impression on the bike so when the opportunity arrived I pushed it as far as it went in top gear. The result on the speedometer: I wasn’t willing to take my eyes off the road, but an accurate estimation would take it as high as 160mph. Keep in mind that this is not for the faith hearted! Dropping the needle from such numbers is being done with the help of new Brembo Gold radial calipers working perfectly when applied on the two 320mm discs. At the rear, brakes are also Brembo Gold only that this time we are talking a 220mm stainless steel disc. Both front and rear braking system deliver strong braking power for those emergency stops or eve some amazing wheelie.

Keeping things in control while riding the bike rough on almost any kinds of roads is the Showa upside down fork and Sachs monoshock, both being fully adjustable and very reassuring. These units practically define the bike’s road behavior so it is important to be perfectly balanced, just like on the Tuono.