Great review, I had the 2015 Tuono and have just taken delivery of the 2017 model, and your right, the 17 is way more refined and that much better. Just the bike I need to ride the awesome rides we have here in New Zealand
7:30 How do I adjust that? (Engine Braking). I have a Tuono and you cannot adjust engine braking. It is preset for each riding mode with Race having the least engine braking.
A good review and I really liked the comfortable flow of commentary. The umms and aahs are not distracting at all. Especially given that you were riding at a decent clip. Good riding skills too. Granted you weren’t railing it (and a road is no place to do so) however, the smoothness of riding was totally evident. Keep up the good work
Just stumbled on this and this has to be the same rider all over motorcycle.coms reviews, the voice sounds identical, your review of the FZ10 (MT10 ) in 2017 was the reason I went with that over the tuono , of course the factory is a better performer than the MT10 BUT when deciding I saved $8,500 over the factory and with a decat Y-pipe , ecu flash and bmc filter I got up to 179 hp out of the crossplane , added some EbC pads and it's been well worth the $8,500 savings in performance . I also live 2,000 miles away from the nearest aprilia dealer in the US so I couldn't bare it. I'll always love the tuono factory. Still a dream of mine but no regrets going MT10 and adding $500 into a few upgrades. Man I'm stoked I found your channel, they ought to set u guys up with links to your channels , been hoping to find yours so stoked I did. Going to see what u have! LOVE your Supernaked shootouts FYI! Hope u guys do more!
With these new electronics like lean ABS what happens if you are in a turn and over brake? Also does this bike have integrated front / rear braking? Sorry if you already said in review. Such a nice bike.
Hey Kemnik1, That's a great question as some bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R1 have linked braking systems! Many heavy-weight cruisers have linked-braking as well. The Aprilia does not use a linked braking system and each brake operates independently of one another. Lean-angle detecting ABS allows the rider to brake more confidently when cornering because the IMU will also factor in how much someone is leaned over, keeping them from applying too much brake and crashing. It's a more nuanced package when compared to less sophisticated systems that rely on wheel-speed senors exclusively, as they're only able to calculate the speed of the wheels and brake pressure. Bikes that use IMU units will calculate wheel speed, actual speed, pitch, roll, yaw, and brake pressure in real time, adding a greater level of accuracy to the ABS intervention. This is important for aggressive riding because as you carry more lean angle, you're not able to use as much brake pressure. For example, if you're at your maximum lean, you cannot use maximum braking force otherwise you'll overload the tires and crash. IMU based systems will detect your degree of lean and counteract excessive braking inputs that the bike feels will cause a crash. In practice, the Aprilia does feature one of the most well sorted packages on the market and even when riding the Tuono on track, I'll keep the ABS in level 1, just as a precaution. Hope this helps! - Nic
FYI ABS 0 = ABS disabled ABS 1 = ABS for dry conditions, WITHOUT cornering ABS ABS 2 = ABS for dry conditions, WITH cornering ABS ABS 3 = ABS for wet conditions WITH cornering ABS As it is very hard to lose the front with this kind of bike as long as you dont snap the brakes (good tyres with huge grip, firm suspensions), cornering ABS is generally used for rear wheel stability : th-cam.com/video/Tx47rRRA63Y/w-d-xo.html
While that might be a bit outside the manufacturer specifications, I don't think it's a cause for alarm. The Factory Öhlins components have a great range of adjustment, so you can fine tune the suspension to suit your needs - in most cases. We'd suggest getting seat time on the Tuono first, then take the next step once you've become familiarized with the bike. Anecdotally, we've seen riders well into the 200 lbs. range run the stock suspension and be completely happy once adjusted. We'll go ahead and put a line out to Öhlins in order to get a more detailed answer.
190 is close to the optimum weight range the stock Öhlins springs are rated to handle. After just speaking with one of their tech guys, he said that 190 is about 5-10 pounds out and that you shouldn't have an issue. Mainly, he wanted to impress the importance of geometry and your personal preferences. If your weight is still causing improper geometry, then that would be the time to bump up to a higher rated spring. However, their suspension tech said you'd be just fine.
Hey thanks for the info. One of the best informative reviews I've watched on the tuono, normally they're just bleating on about the engine. Thumbs up , cheers
Hey, Great review. Interesting you mention a leading contender ... with the SD1290 ... I'd suggest a completely different riding experience; like a Ducati Testrastretta 1200 twin stuffed in a hypermotard frame.Described as "Agricultural" by yourcolelagues at MCN ... great analogy in my view... The Tuono RSV and RSV4 have proper racebike heritage ... Every bike mag tests them all and the Tuono comes out first with the BMW S1K nipping its heels and the SD for the street hooligan. Can't compare the motors in my view ... the BMW I4 is great (have had 2) but flat, buzzy, and the S1K is geared too low. The V4 has to be the best motor ever put into a motorcycle ... Ducati has just figured it out but they really only built a double twin by the sounds of it ... I tested the 2017 Tuono and didnt want to get off it... as near perfect as a bike can be ... can thump pretty much anything on the track. My 1198S was a BBQ strapped to a missile... unrideable on the street. I felt the heat on the Tuono but except in shite traffic, did not annoy me. The only question; do I save some $ and get the '17, or order an '18 ... great vlog, Keep up the good work. You really help the community.
Hey Constantine, Thanks for the feedback! It's much appreciated. We've seen many of the same observations as you as well. As to your question about whether you should pick up a '17 or '18, I'd recommend grabbing the '17 from a dealer that's looking to push last year's units out. There is no difference between the '17 and the '18 Tuono, outside of color changes. If you wanted to go back an additional year and get a '15/'16, you'd be saving even more money but the upgrades to the '17/'18 make a significant difference. Take care! - Nic
awesome review.....I also have a tuono.. tuned by jozef & Richard at Attack and Amari..., this bike is incredibleincredible.. and I have owned them all.., I am right here in California that road looks familiar if I may ask what road are you on ?!!!
Best review I have seen yet. Had no idea about the more subtle changes between 2016 and 2017 and I have watched damn near every other review on youtube. Question: I am a rider with a couple thousand miles on an sv650 and then a couple thousand on a monster 821. Never done a track day or really plan to do one. I am considering upgrading over the winter to the '17 Tuono. What are your thoughts on a rider with my experience getting one? Stupid and dangerous? Not necessarily dangerous, but just overkill? Or do you think I can grow into the bike over time and eventually develop the skills to ride it?
Hey Bijan, The changes between the '16 and '17 seem subtle on paper, but they make quite a good bit of difference. The changes truly elevate the package and just make it a bit more approachable, without watering down the experience. In fact, it accentuates the performance chops of the machine while also making it more accessible. As for your question, that's a tough one. Everyone learns at a different rate and it's difficult to assess someone's skill-set from behind the keyboard, but you did give us a good amount of information to work with. The SV650 and Monster 821 are great bikes. They handle well, make great power for the street and deliver it in a tractable manner. SV's have a long history of being turned into capable middle-weight race bikes, so they're no slouch in their own right. As middle-weight sport bikes, there isn't too much to complain about. They are sport bikes and were developed with street riding in mind. Both bikes have relatively short wheelbases, are lighter than the Tuono, comfortable ergonomics, sporty but friendly suspension and make far, far less power. All of those attributes make them pretty nimble machines and much easier to manage. In short, they offer a great amount of power in package that allows you to develop your skills. If we compare those bikes to the Tuono, I would say there are some things to be aware of. If you think about the development process for the Tuono, its life began as an offshoot of a Superbike, meaning that it's performance first. So the thought processes and goals for each bike approach the same terrain from different angles. The Tuono has a race pedigree as its basis and really comes into its own on the track. The Tuono is a ridiculously engaging street bike, but it also has a slightly longer wheelbase, is a bit taller, weighs more, has a much more aggressive riding position and makes approximately 59% more horsepower than a Monster 821. In direct comparison to the Monster 821, it could be a little harder to manage at the speeds you're comfortable riding at. While I don't think it's a ludicrous jump, it's not a small one either and one that will take careful consideration. I believe that a bike like the Tuono benefits from a rider that has a solid foundation of skills to work with and it could be argued that those are "track" oriented skills. Correct use of body positioning, counter steering and trail braking will pay off immensely on the Tuono, as it is a bike that likes a bit of direction. With the type of power and characteristics we're talking about, a rider can get in over their head quickly - and that comment doesn't apply to you, that applies to all of us. The difference is a rider with a strong skill-set and experience will be able to negotiate those issues. That said, we do encourage all our readers and viewers to attend track days or seek out advanced rider training where you can - it will help you without any shadow of a doubt. Even at the casual speeds in the video, I do utilize all of the aforementioned skills at some point or another, though it might not seem like it. You've made the leap from the SV650 to the Monster 821, which has a bit more power and is a bit more sporty in certain areas, but they're much easier bikes to learn on. The common story you'll hear is that riders jump onto a liter bike and they're too timid to get anything out of it; it radically increases their learning curve, whereas learning on a smaller, lower-powered machine, actually lets you develop your skills and while the Monster 821 isn't a small bike by any means, it's not as unforgiving. If I were to boil all of this down and consider your experience level and what I'd perceive someone with that amount of seat-time as having in terms of experience, I think this could be a bridge too far. Nobody likes struggling in the deep end. Of course, I could be completely wrong about that, so we always encourage our readers and viewers to get out there for a test ride at one of their local dealers. Above all, respect the bike's power because it has massive, massive amounts. I hope this helps and gets you on the right track. Be safe out there! - Nic
the tuono isnt dangerous at all ... it all depends on how you ride it ... you can ride the tuono soft in low revs, like the guy in the video. its pretty chilly if you do so. but on the other hand, you can rev it up to 11,000rpm, use every one of the 175hp and annoy some fireblades on the track. you really dont need to be afraid of a number like 175hp ... the bike just works great!
Bijan Sadr Don't hesitate life's to short . I've had two of these now and they are only an animal if you want them to be. Without question best bike I have ever ridden plus you won't need to buy drugs anymore a Tuono will provide all the buzz you will ever need .
I went from an '05 SV650S to an 13 RSV4 and never looked back. Yes, it's a lot faster through the mid range and especially up top, but you need to also remember that Aprilia has TC/WC/ABS and way better brakes/stability. When I first swapped, I rode it with the TC turned way up to 7, and now ride it at 3 on the street. I have done a few tracks days and it flies past the 600's on the straights. If I would do it again I would have picked the Tuono over the RSV4 for comfort, but I also have a Multistrada for longer rides :)
Correction: On the video you talk about ride modes and how Sport is the least aggressive. On the 2017+ models, that is incorrect. Sport actually has the most aggressive response, Track a bit softer and Race is the softest. It might not make sense at first, but it sorta does... as you are upping the speeds on the track or in a race, the throttle response gets softer and smoother to help keep the bike settled and stable in the turns... The manual does a poor job of explaining things, but there is a supplemental guide put out by Aprilia that is translated properly to English that goes into much better descriptions and details... Sport is the most aggressive, track is the middle setting, and race is the smoothest, which is the opposite of what most people would expect.
Hi ScquireSCA, It's been a little while since I've been on a Tuono, but when we had our long-term unit, I did multiple track days and rode the bike in every mode. Your description didn't sound accurate to me, so I reached out to Aprilia's tech people in the US and unfortunately, what you've described is incorrect. There's also a lot of misinformation on the forums about this subject, so I'm glad to address it. Sport mode alleviates the initial crack of throttle, but also has the heaviest engine braking of the three modes. Track has a more aggressive throttle response, but has less engine braking than Sport and more than Race. Race is basically a 1:1 direct connection with the throttle and has the least amount of engine braking. If I had to guess, people may be confusing Sport as the most aggressive mode because of the heavier engine braking. At lower rpms, it could seem more aggressive than the Track and Race modes. Having ridden on track with the Tuono and using Race mode at Laguna Seca, I'm confident in saying that Race is the most aggressive throttle mapping. Hope this helps, - Nic
Ultimate Motorcycling when I get home I will upload and link to the documentation that I got from Aprilia that describes the modes as I described them. Read it and tell me how you interpret it.
@@ultimatemotorcycling Perhaps things changed with the 2017, because I have the documentation right here from Aprilia... Let me see if I can share it on my Google Drive and link it here for you... drive.google.com/file/d/12uguwGXm0YfEK6L0YthW6OIIqYC-t2Oy/view?usp=sharing Lays it all out on Page 2. Sport is "Prompt" throttle response, Track is "Gentle" and Race is "Smooth"... I think that in past years it was as you described, but on the newest models they changed it around...
@@Daves_Man_Cave The documentation you provided is for 2017 models. Contradicting that documentation is my original response, which came directly from Aprilia USA. That said, I was curious about all of this and looked at other reviews to see if my colleagues felt differently. I didn't find many people speaking on the subject, except for Michael Mann's 2017 Tuono Factory review. In that, he states "The throttle response on track in the most aggressive Race mode is instant," which suggests that the throttle connection is direct or most aggressive in Race mode. I'd agree with that statement. Keep in mind, we are reviewing motorcycles and in some cases our observations will go against what the manufacturer describes. Thinking back to all of this, I stand by the statement that 'Sport' is the most relaxed throttle response of the bunch - although they're all very aggressive. Speaking generally, you're going to be twisting the grip much more when riding on track and manufacturers tend to reduce smoothing in those situations. Since you own a Tuono, you could run a test. Manually reduce the engine braking to its lowest levels and then ride around the block in each throttle map. Also, make sure that traction control, wheelie control and ABS are in the same levels when you change throttle maps. Doing that should provide greater insight, as you'll be getting the most clear representation of each throttle map, without engine braking characteristics or electronics coloring your experience. Take care! - Nic
Ultimate Motorcycling yeah, mine is a 2018 and so the 2017 documentation applies. I have tried them all and sport is the snappiest. Race is the smoothest, which is what you want when you are pushing hard on a track and want to be smooth... you don’t want abrupt throttle inputs when on the side of the tire pushing 9/10, right? It surprised me to find that the settings were backwards from most other bikes, including prior generation tuono’s, but it’s been confirmed by numerous sources... hope that helps.
Hey Dave, The gearing on the Tuono isn't extraordinarily long. The Tuono and the RSV4 have slightly different engines, thus they produce different peak horsepower numbers. While the Tuono is based on the RSV4's engine, it has an increase in displacement, different pistons, etc. Aprilia claims 175 HP at the crank. Take care! - Nic
Where the fuck were you ridin that bike . That road looked amazing and virtually no cars , possibly Area 51. Nice review just needed a few 3rd gear wheelies.
@MCTeck has it right. This is Highway 33, just outside Ojai, California. We only covered a portion of the road, so you can make a day out of it day out of it and cover the whole route. It's a fantastic ride!
When I ride to Lompoc,Ca, I take the 33 to 166 west to Tepusquet Road then ,Foxen Canyon to Los Almos Ca , where you pick up the Ca 135 west , then to Harris grade Rd. It ends near Lompoc village where my friends live. Tepusquet Rd is tight and scenic.
We know it well--you have great taste in rides :) Ojai, 33 to 166 and west towards 101. Stop in New Cuyama for lunch--great BBQ--and then follow Tepusquet and Foxen Cyn as you say. Always then stop in Los Olivos for a coffee and then head over San Marcos pass and back through Santa Barbara to home. It really is a fantastic ride.
U M,and anyone else interested, there is in Santa Yanez the Santa Yanez burrito. Off Edison street @ hwy 246 . Stop there,get a taco,burrito etc, then ride 1.5 miles to the Santa Yanez Airport.There is a grassy area with a large shade tree and picnic table. Eat food, and watch the planes land and take off......
Nice review, but so many ums and ahs. You could do the review off the bike to reduce this. But still a banging review. Why do the US bikes generally make less power than the European versions? Is it due to emission laws in cali?
A very helpful review for someone in the market. Nice pace of commentary... Let he/she who doesn't inject an um or er cast teh first stone ...More importantly, a motorcycle experience is so subjective. Depends also hat you usually ride or what you last rode. I think you covered well the kinds of things that matter to a rider, both technical and feel. Given that there are really 3 competitors (top level?) in the naked space, would be interested in hearing some of your thoughts of the comparison points among them, for example, power; KTM SD raw power vs. Tuono power delivery. Or riding position, or heat (a big one for me). Is it annoying or just present... How does it compare to the S1KR which can kick out a fair chunk of heat? I rode a Ducati 1199 that was unrideable in the city with an ambient temp above 70 ... a BBQ strapped to a missile ... Thanks for making this review. Many don't fully appreciate the effort it takes to produce a video. Thanks!
Great review, I had the 2015 Tuono and have just taken delivery of the 2017 model, and your right, the 17 is way more refined and that much better. Just the bike I need to ride the awesome rides we have here in New Zealand
7:30 How do I adjust that? (Engine Braking). I have a Tuono and you cannot adjust engine braking. It is preset for each riding mode with Race having the least engine braking.
A good review and I really liked the comfortable flow of commentary. The umms and aahs are not distracting at all. Especially given that you were riding at a decent clip. Good riding skills too. Granted you weren’t railing it (and a road is no place to do so) however, the smoothness of riding was totally evident. Keep up the good work
Great review and ride! I am saving up to buy one. Thanks.
Whats the cost?
Just stumbled on this and this has to be the same rider all over motorcycle.coms reviews, the voice sounds identical, your review of the FZ10 (MT10 ) in 2017 was the reason I went with that over the tuono , of course the factory is a better performer than the MT10 BUT when deciding I saved $8,500 over the factory and with a decat Y-pipe , ecu flash and bmc filter I got up to 179 hp out of the crossplane , added some EbC pads and it's been well worth the $8,500 savings in performance . I also live 2,000 miles away from the nearest aprilia dealer in the US so I couldn't bare it. I'll always love the tuono factory. Still a dream of mine but no regrets going MT10 and adding $500 into a few upgrades. Man I'm stoked I found your channel, they ought to set u guys up with links to your channels , been hoping to find yours so stoked I did. Going to see what u have! LOVE your Supernaked shootouts FYI! Hope u guys do more!
How did you get 179 hp out of a FZ10????? Surely not just a cat delete a flash and a BMC!!!!
I wish I could ride mine in Cali! Currently stuck in Budapest, oh well 😉🤘
Hi. Thank you. You deserve a lot more subscribers. Thanks again.
Great review!! Thank you!
With these new electronics like lean ABS what happens if you are in a turn and over brake? Also does this bike have integrated front / rear braking? Sorry if you already said in review. Such a nice bike.
Hey Kemnik1,
That's a great question as some bikes like the Yamaha YZF-R1 have linked braking systems! Many heavy-weight cruisers have linked-braking as well. The Aprilia does not use a linked braking system and each brake operates independently of one another.
Lean-angle detecting ABS allows the rider to brake more confidently when cornering because the IMU will also factor in how much someone is leaned over, keeping them from applying too much brake and crashing.
It's a more nuanced package when compared to less sophisticated systems that rely on wheel-speed senors exclusively, as they're only able to calculate the speed of the wheels and brake pressure. Bikes that use IMU units will calculate wheel speed, actual speed, pitch, roll, yaw, and brake pressure in real time, adding a greater level of accuracy to the ABS intervention.
This is important for aggressive riding because as you carry more lean angle, you're not able to use as much brake pressure. For example, if you're at your maximum lean, you cannot use maximum braking force otherwise you'll overload the tires and crash. IMU based systems will detect your degree of lean and counteract excessive braking inputs that the bike feels will cause a crash.
In practice, the Aprilia does feature one of the most well sorted packages on the market and even when riding the Tuono on track, I'll keep the ABS in level 1, just as a precaution.
Hope this helps!
- Nic
Ultimate Motorcycling wow thanks for taking the time to write such a comprehensive response. It does indeed help! Thank you!
FYI
ABS 0 = ABS disabled
ABS 1 = ABS for dry conditions, WITHOUT cornering ABS
ABS 2 = ABS for dry conditions, WITH cornering ABS
ABS 3 = ABS for wet conditions WITH cornering ABS
As it is very hard to lose the front with this kind of bike as long as you dont snap the brakes (good tyres with huge grip, firm suspensions), cornering ABS is generally used for rear wheel stability :
th-cam.com/video/Tx47rRRA63Y/w-d-xo.html
Nice to hear a review where suspension is detailed, thanks. Re spring rates, at 190 am I in the ballpark ? Cheers
While that might be a bit outside the manufacturer specifications, I don't think it's a cause for alarm. The Factory Öhlins components have a great range of adjustment, so you can fine tune the suspension to suit your needs - in most cases. We'd suggest getting seat time on the Tuono first, then take the next step once you've become familiarized with the bike. Anecdotally, we've seen riders well into the 200 lbs. range run the stock suspension and be completely happy once adjusted. We'll go ahead and put a line out to Öhlins in order to get a more detailed answer.
Ultimate Motorcycling awesome, thanks. I would've thought 190-200 lb would be close but I'm keen to hear. Thanks.
190 is close to the optimum weight range the stock Öhlins springs are rated to handle. After just speaking with one of their tech guys, he said that 190 is about 5-10 pounds out and that you shouldn't have an issue. Mainly, he wanted to impress the importance of geometry and your personal preferences. If your weight is still causing improper geometry, then that would be the time to bump up to a higher rated spring. However, their suspension tech said you'd be just fine.
Hey thanks for the info.
One of the best informative reviews I've watched on the tuono, normally they're just bleating on about the engine.
Thumbs up , cheers
Excellent review - thanks.
Hey,
Great review. Interesting you mention a leading contender ... with the SD1290 ... I'd suggest a completely different riding experience; like a Ducati Testrastretta 1200 twin stuffed in a hypermotard frame.Described as "Agricultural" by yourcolelagues at MCN ... great analogy in my view... The Tuono RSV and RSV4 have proper racebike heritage ... Every bike mag tests them all and the Tuono comes out first with the BMW S1K nipping its heels and the SD for the street hooligan. Can't compare the motors in my view ... the BMW I4 is great (have had 2) but flat, buzzy, and the S1K is geared too low. The V4 has to be the best motor ever put into a motorcycle ... Ducati has just figured it out but they really only built a double twin by the sounds of it ... I tested the 2017 Tuono and didnt want to get off it... as near perfect as a bike can be ... can thump pretty much anything on the track. My 1198S was a BBQ strapped to a missile... unrideable on the street. I felt the heat on the Tuono but except in shite traffic, did not annoy me. The only question; do I save some $ and get the '17, or order an '18 ... great vlog, Keep up the good work. You really help the community.
Hey Constantine,
Thanks for the feedback! It's much appreciated. We've seen many of the same observations as you as well. As to your question about whether you should pick up a '17 or '18, I'd recommend grabbing the '17 from a dealer that's looking to push last year's units out. There is no difference between the '17 and the '18 Tuono, outside of color changes.
If you wanted to go back an additional year and get a '15/'16, you'd be saving even more money but the upgrades to the '17/'18 make a significant difference.
Take care!
- Nic
awesome review.....I also have a tuono.. tuned by jozef & Richard at Attack and Amari..., this bike is incredibleincredible.. and I have owned them all.., I am right here in California that road looks familiar if I may ask what road are you on ?!!!
Hey Beasto61,
That's Highway 33, just outside Ojai, California.
Take care!
- Nic
Best review I have seen yet. Had no idea about the more subtle changes between 2016 and 2017 and I have watched damn near every other review on youtube. Question: I am a rider with a couple thousand miles on an sv650 and then a couple thousand on a monster 821. Never done a track day or really plan to do one. I am considering upgrading over the winter to the '17 Tuono. What are your thoughts on a rider with my experience getting one? Stupid and dangerous? Not necessarily dangerous, but just overkill? Or do you think I can grow into the bike over time and eventually develop the skills to ride it?
Hey Bijan,
The changes between the '16 and '17 seem subtle on paper, but they make quite a good bit of difference. The changes truly elevate the package and just make it a bit more approachable, without watering down the experience. In fact, it accentuates the performance chops of the machine while also making it more accessible.
As for your question, that's a tough one. Everyone learns at a different rate and it's difficult to assess someone's skill-set from behind the keyboard, but you did give us a good amount of information to work with. The SV650 and Monster 821 are great bikes. They handle well, make great power for the street and deliver it in a tractable manner. SV's have a long history of being turned into capable middle-weight race bikes, so they're no slouch in their own right. As middle-weight sport bikes, there isn't too much to complain about. They are sport bikes and were developed with street riding in mind. Both bikes have relatively short wheelbases, are lighter than the Tuono, comfortable ergonomics, sporty but friendly suspension and make far, far less power. All of those attributes make them pretty nimble machines and much easier to manage. In short, they offer a great amount of power in package that allows you to develop your skills.
If we compare those bikes to the Tuono, I would say there are some things to be aware of. If you think about the development process for the Tuono, its life began as an offshoot of a Superbike, meaning that it's performance first. So the thought processes and goals for each bike approach the same terrain from different angles. The Tuono has a race pedigree as its basis and really comes into its own on the track. The Tuono is a ridiculously engaging street bike, but it also has a slightly longer wheelbase, is a bit taller, weighs more, has a much more aggressive riding position and makes approximately 59% more horsepower than a Monster 821. In direct comparison to the Monster 821, it could be a little harder to manage at the speeds you're comfortable riding at. While I don't think it's a ludicrous jump, it's not a small one either and one that will take careful consideration.
I believe that a bike like the Tuono benefits from a rider that has a solid foundation of skills to work with and it could be argued that those are "track" oriented skills. Correct use of body positioning, counter steering and trail braking will pay off immensely on the Tuono, as it is a bike that likes a bit of direction. With the type of power and characteristics we're talking about, a rider can get in over their head quickly - and that comment doesn't apply to you, that applies to all of us. The difference is a rider with a strong skill-set and experience will be able to negotiate those issues. That said, we do encourage all our readers and viewers to attend track days or seek out advanced rider training where you can - it will help you without any shadow of a doubt.
Even at the casual speeds in the video, I do utilize all of the aforementioned skills at some point or another, though it might not seem like it.
You've made the leap from the SV650 to the Monster 821, which has a bit more power and is a bit more sporty in certain areas, but they're much easier bikes to learn on. The common story you'll hear is that riders jump onto a liter bike and they're too timid to get anything out of it; it radically increases their learning curve, whereas learning on a smaller, lower-powered machine, actually lets you develop your skills and while the Monster 821 isn't a small bike by any means, it's not as unforgiving.
If I were to boil all of this down and consider your experience level and what I'd perceive someone with that amount of seat-time as having in terms of experience, I think this could be a bridge too far. Nobody likes struggling in the deep end. Of course, I could be completely wrong about that, so we always encourage our readers and viewers to get out there for a test ride at one of their local dealers. Above all, respect the bike's power because it has massive, massive amounts.
I hope this helps and gets you on the right track. Be safe out there!
- Nic
the tuono isnt dangerous at all ... it all depends on how you ride it ... you can ride the tuono soft in low revs, like the guy in the video. its pretty chilly if you do so. but on the other hand, you can rev it up to 11,000rpm, use every one of the 175hp and annoy some fireblades on the track. you really dont need to be afraid of a number like 175hp ... the bike just works great!
Bijan Sadr Don't hesitate life's to short . I've had two of these now and they are only an animal if you want them to be. Without question best bike I have ever ridden plus you won't need to buy drugs anymore a Tuono will provide all the buzz you will ever need .
I went from an '05 SV650S to an 13 RSV4 and never looked back. Yes, it's a lot faster through the mid range and especially up top, but you need to also remember that Aprilia has TC/WC/ABS and way better brakes/stability. When I first swapped, I rode it with the TC turned way up to 7, and now ride it at 3 on the street. I have done a few tracks days and it flies past the 600's on the straights. If I would do it again I would have picked the Tuono over the RSV4 for comfort, but I also have a Multistrada for longer rides :)
I went from monster 821 to tuono and damn it's awesome. Not that intimidating at all. Set your safety control a bit higher and you're fine.
What leather jacket is that?
Correction: On the video you talk about ride modes and how Sport is the least aggressive. On the 2017+ models, that is incorrect. Sport actually has the most aggressive response, Track a bit softer and Race is the softest. It might not make sense at first, but it sorta does... as you are upping the speeds on the track or in a race, the throttle response gets softer and smoother to help keep the bike settled and stable in the turns... The manual does a poor job of explaining things, but there is a supplemental guide put out by Aprilia that is translated properly to English that goes into much better descriptions and details... Sport is the most aggressive, track is the middle setting, and race is the smoothest, which is the opposite of what most people would expect.
Hi ScquireSCA,
It's been a little while since I've been on a Tuono, but when we had our long-term unit, I did multiple track days and rode the bike in every mode. Your description didn't sound accurate to me, so I reached out to Aprilia's tech people in the US and unfortunately, what you've described is incorrect. There's also a lot of misinformation on the forums about this subject, so I'm glad to address it.
Sport mode alleviates the initial crack of throttle, but also has the heaviest engine braking of the three modes. Track has a more aggressive throttle response, but has less engine braking than Sport and more than Race. Race is basically a 1:1 direct connection with the throttle and has the least amount of engine braking.
If I had to guess, people may be confusing Sport as the most aggressive mode because of the heavier engine braking. At lower rpms, it could seem more aggressive than the Track and Race modes. Having ridden on track with the Tuono and using Race mode at Laguna Seca, I'm confident in saying that Race is the most aggressive throttle mapping.
Hope this helps,
- Nic
Ultimate Motorcycling when I get home I will upload and link to the documentation that I got from Aprilia that describes the modes as I described them. Read it and tell me how you interpret it.
@@ultimatemotorcycling Perhaps things changed with the 2017, because I have the documentation right here from Aprilia... Let me see if I can share it on my Google Drive and link it here for you...
drive.google.com/file/d/12uguwGXm0YfEK6L0YthW6OIIqYC-t2Oy/view?usp=sharing
Lays it all out on Page 2. Sport is "Prompt" throttle response, Track is "Gentle" and Race is "Smooth"... I think that in past years it was as you described, but on the newest models they changed it around...
@@Daves_Man_Cave The documentation you provided is for 2017 models. Contradicting that documentation is my original response, which came directly from Aprilia USA.
That said, I was curious about all of this and looked at other reviews to see if my colleagues felt differently. I didn't find many people speaking on the subject, except for Michael Mann's 2017 Tuono Factory review. In that, he states "The throttle response on track in the most aggressive Race mode is instant," which suggests that the throttle connection is direct or most aggressive in Race mode. I'd agree with that statement.
Keep in mind, we are reviewing motorcycles and in some cases our observations will go against what the manufacturer describes. Thinking back to all of this, I stand by the statement that 'Sport' is the most relaxed throttle response of the bunch - although they're all very aggressive. Speaking generally, you're going to be twisting the grip much more when riding on track and manufacturers tend to reduce smoothing in those situations.
Since you own a Tuono, you could run a test. Manually reduce the engine braking to its lowest levels and then ride around the block in each throttle map. Also, make sure that traction control, wheelie control and ABS are in the same levels when you change throttle maps. Doing that should provide greater insight, as you'll be getting the most clear representation of each throttle map, without engine braking characteristics or electronics coloring your experience.
Take care!
- Nic
Ultimate Motorcycling yeah, mine is a 2018 and so the 2017 documentation applies. I have tried them all and sport is the snappiest. Race is the smoothest, which is what you want when you are pushing hard on a track and want to be smooth... you don’t want abrupt throttle inputs when on the side of the tire pushing 9/10, right?
It surprised me to find that the settings were backwards from most other bikes, including prior generation tuono’s, but it’s been confirmed by numerous sources... hope that helps.
Does this have a really tall 1st gear like the 13 Rsv4 factory ? Should have 184hp like the old rsv4 before the move to the RF !
Hey Dave,
The gearing on the Tuono isn't extraordinarily long. The Tuono and the RSV4 have slightly different engines, thus they produce different peak horsepower numbers. While the Tuono is based on the RSV4's engine, it has an increase in displacement, different pistons, etc. Aprilia claims 175 HP at the crank.
Take care!
- Nic
i couldent drive that slow ;)
Where the fuck were you ridin that bike . That road looked amazing and virtually no cars , possibly Area 51. Nice review just needed a few 3rd gear wheelies.
Hi Jane,
This is Highway 33 outside Ojai, California. Take care!
What road was this?
hwy 33 so cal north of Ojai
@MCTeck has it right. This is Highway 33, just outside Ojai, California. We only covered a portion of the road, so you can make a day out of it day out of it and cover the whole route. It's a fantastic ride!
When I ride to Lompoc,Ca, I take the 33 to 166 west to Tepusquet Road then ,Foxen Canyon to Los Almos Ca , where you pick up the Ca 135 west , then to Harris grade Rd. It ends near Lompoc village where my friends live. Tepusquet Rd is tight and scenic.
We know it well--you have great taste in rides :) Ojai, 33 to 166 and west towards 101. Stop in New Cuyama for lunch--great BBQ--and then follow Tepusquet and Foxen Cyn as you say. Always then stop in Los Olivos for a coffee and then head over San Marcos pass and back through Santa Barbara to home. It really is a fantastic ride.
U M,and anyone else interested, there is in Santa Yanez the Santa Yanez burrito. Off Edison street @ hwy 246 . Stop there,get a taco,burrito etc, then ride 1.5 miles to the Santa Yanez Airport.There is a grassy area with a large shade tree and picnic table. Eat food, and watch the planes land and take off......
Nice machine.
Nice review, but so many ums and ahs. You could do the review off the bike to reduce this. But still a banging review. Why do the US bikes generally make less power than the European versions? Is it due to emission laws in cali?
A very helpful review for someone in the market. Nice pace of commentary... Let he/she who doesn't inject an um or er cast teh first stone ...More importantly, a motorcycle experience is so subjective. Depends also hat you usually ride or what you last rode. I think you covered well the kinds of things that matter to a rider, both technical and feel. Given that there are really 3 competitors (top level?) in the naked space, would be interested in hearing some of your thoughts of the comparison points among them, for example, power; KTM SD raw power vs. Tuono power delivery. Or riding position, or heat (a big one for me). Is it annoying or just present... How does it compare to the S1KR which can kick out a fair chunk of heat? I rode a Ducati 1199 that was unrideable in the city with an ambient temp above 70 ... a BBQ strapped to a missile ... Thanks for making this review. Many don't fully appreciate the effort it takes to produce a video. Thanks!
How about using the autoblipper.. annoying you never shift that bike.. ugh stay in 3rd the whole time...
Yo quiero una!!!
You sound like Troy from Motorcycles.com
Umm I just got one, 2018 meow
Good video bro it got me hard
so. many. umms.
The Jockness Monster - his concentration is split between reviewing and riding the road
Its hard to xpla
In it while riding that fast