Aprilia Tuono V2 thoughts?
Discussion
I am developing an increasingly powerful hankering for a V twin Aprilia Tuono 1000R. Probably Gen 2 unless someone can persuade me that the Gen 1 is the the way to go.
I have never had a twin. Including cars and bikes I have had 3 singles (dirt bikes), 2 triples (Street and Speed Triple), 4 in line fours (sports bikes), a five (Audi Quattro), two V6's (Golf VR6 and a 2.7 twin turbo Audi S4) a straight 6 (E46 M3) and 2 V8's (5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR) - but I have never had a twin for some reason. This needs to be addressed.
On the bike front I currently have a 1999 Fireblade (love it more every time I ride it) and a recently acquired 2010 Street Triple R (jury still out) but I feel the need to scratch the V twin itch. I want a bike that is not stupidly expensive, is raucous, has gobs of torque, has gobs of character and that handles and stops well. As a result the V Twin Aprilia Tuono 1000 has become my recent internet obsession.
I appreciate that there are a few annoying issues with these bikes but the engines seem fairly bullet proof and £4k seems to buy a decent one.
Anyone on here have any opinions on them? Am I mad? Am I wise? Am I about to spend £4k and hate the b
d thing?
All opinions welcome. FYI I am feeling worryingly spontaneous and have several bikes in my ebay watch list - so if I am mad hurry up and convince me of this before the "buy now" button gets hit late at night over the weekend after some vino!
I have never had a twin. Including cars and bikes I have had 3 singles (dirt bikes), 2 triples (Street and Speed Triple), 4 in line fours (sports bikes), a five (Audi Quattro), two V6's (Golf VR6 and a 2.7 twin turbo Audi S4) a straight 6 (E46 M3) and 2 V8's (5.0 Chimaera and a 5.0 XKR) - but I have never had a twin for some reason. This needs to be addressed.
On the bike front I currently have a 1999 Fireblade (love it more every time I ride it) and a recently acquired 2010 Street Triple R (jury still out) but I feel the need to scratch the V twin itch. I want a bike that is not stupidly expensive, is raucous, has gobs of torque, has gobs of character and that handles and stops well. As a result the V Twin Aprilia Tuono 1000 has become my recent internet obsession.
I appreciate that there are a few annoying issues with these bikes but the engines seem fairly bullet proof and £4k seems to buy a decent one.
Anyone on here have any opinions on them? Am I mad? Am I wise? Am I about to spend £4k and hate the b
d thing? All opinions welcome. FYI I am feeling worryingly spontaneous and have several bikes in my ebay watch list - so if I am mad hurry up and convince me of this before the "buy now" button gets hit late at night over the weekend after some vino!
Gen 2 would be my choice.
Have you also thought about a SV1000?
The Ape is a lot more bling but the SV will give you the big v twin experience with less stress.
I had a gen 1 Tuono which I didn’t particularly get on with and I’m a v twin man - currently have a superduke.
It might have been the example I had but I never trusted the front end feel. Surprisingly for a twin it also needed to be reved giving a big kick at 7k rpm but feeling a bit flat at the bottom.
Have you also thought about a SV1000?
The Ape is a lot more bling but the SV will give you the big v twin experience with less stress.
I had a gen 1 Tuono which I didn’t particularly get on with and I’m a v twin man - currently have a superduke.
It might have been the example I had but I never trusted the front end feel. Surprisingly for a twin it also needed to be reved giving a big kick at 7k rpm but feeling a bit flat at the bottom.
I've have both an RSVR and a SV1000 classic.
The RSVR wanted to be raced, everywhere. If you weren't using the full rev range or if you wanted to pottle about, it was lumpy and could be hard work at times. It was far easier to ride quickly than slowly. But that low down torque and noise!
The SV however was far easier to cruise about in, if anything it was the total opposite to the RSVR and I found that I enjoyed this far more when going on a ride.
But this also sounded lovely with the right cans, debaffled.
The RSVR and I guess the Tuono are quite tall bikes, my inside leg is 32" and I needed to be on tip toes when seated and trying to put both feet down at the same time.
Not an issues on the SV, and one I'd choose to have again.
The RSVR wanted to be raced, everywhere. If you weren't using the full rev range or if you wanted to pottle about, it was lumpy and could be hard work at times. It was far easier to ride quickly than slowly. But that low down torque and noise!
The SV however was far easier to cruise about in, if anything it was the total opposite to the RSVR and I found that I enjoyed this far more when going on a ride.
But this also sounded lovely with the right cans, debaffled.
The RSVR and I guess the Tuono are quite tall bikes, my inside leg is 32" and I needed to be on tip toes when seated and trying to put both feet down at the same time.
Not an issues on the SV, and one I'd choose to have again.
Thanks folks - great info. I'll definitely look in to the SV.
In the mean time, would I be right in thinking that an early Tuono V4 1000 with about 12k miles on the clock will dump a valve and detonate the engine the moment I drive away on it? I mean, the need for a fun twin is strong, but the bonkers Tuono V4 is also very appealing in a rather masochistic kind of way
In the mean time, would I be right in thinking that an early Tuono V4 1000 with about 12k miles on the clock will dump a valve and detonate the engine the moment I drive away on it? I mean, the need for a fun twin is strong, but the bonkers Tuono V4 is also very appealing in a rather masochistic kind of way
trickywoo said:
The Tuono is very tall. I’d forgotten but at 5’10” it was the tallest I’d want a bike to be.
Hmm, this could be important information - especially since I'm only 5'7. Dammit. I did read that they were quite top heavy as well actually
The good news is that the "buy it now" button remained unpressed last night so no harm, no foul.
I just fancy something with a bit of old school attitude and grunt - and the V twin itch is certainly still there.
The SV1000 does look good. I'll do some more research.
I'm beginning to realise that I prefer bikes that are not very mainstream, but that is probably not a very sensible criterion for choosing a bike.
Soloman Dodd said:
That’s how it felt to me at 5’10” 32”I think it must feel high because of the seat as MCN put the seat height at 820mm but a superduke at 835mm. In my experience the Tuono felt a lot taller.
Edited by trickywoo on Saturday 9th August 10:18
trickywoo said:
Soloman Dodd said:
That’s how it felt to me at 5’10” 32”I think it must feel high because of the seat as MCN put the seat height at 820mm but a superduke at 835mm. In my experience the Tuono felt a lot taller.
Edited by trickywoo on Saturday 9th August 10:18
I had a late gen 1 for about 6 weeks in 2018.
Looked great, sounded fantastic and scratched the itch of my old RS125 I passed my A2 on.
Got rid of it due to no ABS (decided I'd made a mistake on that after coming from a bike with it and it made me paranoid), absolutely HORRIFIC fuel economy of something like 23mpg and the fact it tried to kill me a few times with tank slappers. I think the Rs are supposed to be able to dial some of the twitchiness out more but seem to remember them going through fork seals.
On smooth roads it was fantastic but on bumpy stuff or if you hit a cats eye it was terrifying.
Re the SV, my neighbour (5' something slim female) has 3 of them and doesn't have an issue.
Looked great, sounded fantastic and scratched the itch of my old RS125 I passed my A2 on.
Got rid of it due to no ABS (decided I'd made a mistake on that after coming from a bike with it and it made me paranoid), absolutely HORRIFIC fuel economy of something like 23mpg and the fact it tried to kill me a few times with tank slappers. I think the Rs are supposed to be able to dial some of the twitchiness out more but seem to remember them going through fork seals.
On smooth roads it was fantastic but on bumpy stuff or if you hit a cats eye it was terrifying.
Re the SV, my neighbour (5' something slim female) has 3 of them and doesn't have an issue.
Biker9090 said:
absolutely HORRIFIC fuel economy of something like 23mpg and the fact it tried to kill me a few times with tank slappers.
They aren’t great on fuel. I used to see mid 30s mpg and thought that was bad.
I never found mine unstable. It would wheelie off the throttle in 3rd and you had to be careful of whiskey throttle due to the riding position wanting to throw you backwards though.
TorqueDirty said:
smifffymoto said:
If you want a big v twin how about a Suzuki TL. They can be had for peanuts and are a solid performer.
Doesn't the TL have a reputation for being absolutely lethal due to its unusual rear suspension or something? Most have had the rotary damper replaced by a conventional damper.I don’t find mine a handful in anyway apart from the front end going light on hard acceleration but I have changed the gearing from 17/38 to 17/43.
The steering damper needs heavier oil than the internet recommended 5w,it steers alot quicker but head shake/mild slappers are frequent on track,10w is going in soon.
Had an rsvr 2006 2nd gen and rode a Tuono of the same era. Loved both and felt that the Tuono was the better of the two for day to day. Great bikes and sound wonderful. Get a power commander to sort the lumpiness and you can get a modification for the rear brake which makes it better. Not great, just better. Akrapovic exhausts were on mine and I miss it still.
I’ve a Gen 1 Tuono. It’s a cracking bike, especially if you find an Ohlins equipped version, an R Limited (‘02), Racing (‘03) or Factory version (‘04).
I’ve never had a tank slapper, I’m 5’11 with 32” leg and totally flat foot on the bike. It really is a great bike, the engine can feel a little agricultural at times, but it’s part of the charm, the engine is absolutely bulletproof, very well built, reliable, totally raw riding experience,
it can be a bit of a handful, ready to paw at the air anytime, no TC or ABS, no excuses
100 mile tank range is my max, it’s a bike that once you’re tuned into it, it’s superb and just gets better. When you’re jumping between bikes is when it feels agricultural. Tonnes of grunt from the awesome Rotax V-twin, loads of engine braking too. I have never had an issue with the rear brake either, mine has always worked perfectly. Sounds like the perfect bike for you.
I’ve never had a tank slapper, I’m 5’11 with 32” leg and totally flat foot on the bike. It really is a great bike, the engine can feel a little agricultural at times, but it’s part of the charm, the engine is absolutely bulletproof, very well built, reliable, totally raw riding experience,
it can be a bit of a handful, ready to paw at the air anytime, no TC or ABS, no excuses
100 mile tank range is my max, it’s a bike that once you’re tuned into it, it’s superb and just gets better. When you’re jumping between bikes is when it feels agricultural. Tonnes of grunt from the awesome Rotax V-twin, loads of engine braking too. I have never had an issue with the rear brake either, mine has always worked perfectly. Sounds like the perfect bike for you.
I had a gen 2 for 8 years whilst other bikes came and went. I adored that bike, it handled and sounded lovely and was very quick on the road due to the torque. On track it was only just able to creep away from 600s up the straights thats where it showed its lack of power.
Over 8 years and 14000 miles I only had 1 problem with it which was the speedo sensor failed the week that I purchased it!
I now have a Tuono 1100 factory which is better in every way but ive never fallen it love with it like I did the gen 2 and I definitely won't be keeping this one anywhere near as long!
Over 8 years and 14000 miles I only had 1 problem with it which was the speedo sensor failed the week that I purchased it!
I now have a Tuono 1100 factory which is better in every way but ive never fallen it love with it like I did the gen 2 and I definitely won't be keeping this one anywhere near as long!
NITO said:
I’ve a Gen 1 Tuono. It’s a cracking bike, especially if you find an Ohlins equipped version, an R Limited (‘02), Racing (‘03) or Factory version (‘04).
I’ve never had a tank slapper, I’m 5’11 with 32” leg and totally flat foot on the bike. It really is a great bike, the engine can feel a little agricultural at times, but it’s part of the charm, the engine is absolutely bulletproof, very well built, reliable, totally raw riding experience,
it can be a bit of a handful, ready to paw at the air anytime, no TC or ABS, no excuses
100 mile tank range is my max, it’s a bike that once you’re tuned into it, it’s superb and just gets better. When you’re jumping between bikes is when it feels agricultural. Tonnes of grunt from the awesome Rotax V-twin, loads of engine braking too. I have never had an issue with the rear brake either, mine has always worked perfectly. Sounds like the perfect bike for you.
Great info and a lovely looking bike. And the comment about it being a raw riding experience - that is exactly what I'm after. I’ve never had a tank slapper, I’m 5’11 with 32” leg and totally flat foot on the bike. It really is a great bike, the engine can feel a little agricultural at times, but it’s part of the charm, the engine is absolutely bulletproof, very well built, reliable, totally raw riding experience,
it can be a bit of a handful, ready to paw at the air anytime, no TC or ABS, no excuses
100 mile tank range is my max, it’s a bike that once you’re tuned into it, it’s superb and just gets better. When you’re jumping between bikes is when it feels agricultural. Tonnes of grunt from the awesome Rotax V-twin, loads of engine braking too. I have never had an issue with the rear brake either, mine has always worked perfectly. Sounds like the perfect bike for you.
Looking back over the years I realise the bikes I liked the most were the ones that felt mechanically alive and raw. Other bikes that are objectively "better" (smoother, quieter, less angry, more competent) often left me a bit cold. Impressed but not smitten if that makes sense.
I think days I prefer my cars to be serene and effortless but my bikes to be more analogue, idiosyncratic and uncivilised - whilst still being very competent.
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