Bike India

Best Bikes in India | No.1 Two Wheeler Magazine

  • Home
  • News
    • Upcoming Launches
    • Latest News
    • New Bike Launches
  • Reviews
    • First Ride
    • Road Test
    • Comparison
  • Features
  • Our Bikes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • NG Auto
    • AUTO COMPONENTS INDIA
    • CAR INDIA
    • COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
  • Brands

More Incisive, Sophisticated and Safe

May 5, 2015 by Team Bike India Leave a Comment

Aprilia’s high-tech APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) electronics package is now standard fitment on the Tuono. As before this includes eight-way traction control, adjustable via usefully big buttons on the left bar, plus quick-shifter, anti-wheelie and launch control. For 2014 the traction control system is refined with a new speed sensor that improves its performance by taking into account how fast the bike is cornering.

Ap_TuoV4R_ABS_25 web

If those engine changes are mostly about enhanced performance and control, the Tuono’s chassis updates are all about comfort and practicality. The twin-spar aluminium frame and the wheels aren’t touched, but almost everything else is changed – starting with suspension, where the 43-mm Sachs forks and the same firm’s remote-reservoir rear shock are re-tuned for extra compliance. The front brake system is upgraded with Brembo’s Monoblocs in place of the original model’s standard four-piston callipers, and gains ABS as standard.

Fuel capacity is increased from 17 to 18.5 litres, in response to one common criticism of the original model; a new seat gives more padding for both rider and pillion, in response to another. Less obviously, the side-panels are also re-shaped (Aprilia say this is to give a better feeling when cornering or braking, though I’ve no idea how). There’s no change to the half-fairing, which incorporates air intakes on either side of the angular twin headlights.

Ap_TuoV4R_ABS_12 web

The changes sounded sensible, but of little help when I arrived at the San Martino del Lago circuit, near Milan, for the launch to find light rain falling. Aprilia’s mechanics fitted Pirelli racing wets for the first session. That boosted grip, but upset the handling of the Tuono, which shook its head all the way down the straight, despite the assistance of the steering damper tucked below the unchanged digital display.

Ap_TuoV4R_ABS_34 web

Fortunately, the rain stopped, the track quickly dried, and with its standard fitment Diablo Rosso Corsas the Tuono felt like its old self: neck-strainingly rapid, stable yet superbly manoeuvrable with those high bars, and barely slower than the RSV4 R. The V4 motor is a wonderful device; not only stunningly powerful at the top end, but also very flexible. It also made a gorgeous growl through that single silencer as the revs rose and fell, barely pausing for breath as I flicked through the box with the help of the efficient standard-fitment quick-shifter.

Ap_TuoV4R_ABS_08 web

The extra three PS wasn’t detectable, but the Aprilia certainly felt as though it had plenty of power, especially as it charged down the long main straight while I made a fairly unsuccessful attempt to tuck down behind the low screen. Like the RSV4, from which it’s derived, this is a seriously rapid superbike, with a top speed of over 260 km/h. And in naked bike fashion it’s often all the more fun for emphasising rather than disguising that speed.

bikeonline@nextgenpublishing.net'

Team Bike India – who has written 841 posts on Bike India.


Email

Related posts:

Hero Xoom First Ride Review
Ultraviolette F77 First Ride Review
Kawasaki W175 Tested Review — The Indian Kawasaki
Pages: 1 2 3

Filed Under: First Ride, Review Tagged With: 2014, 2015, adventure, Aprilia, bike, India, RSV4, sportbike, streetbike, touring, Tuono, V4

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AlphaOmega Captcha Classica  –  Enter Security Code
 ⟲    ➴
 


FEBRUARY 2023

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

17TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Bike India - India's no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

Anniversary Ride to the Isle of Man with Freddie Spencer and Sid Lal

TVS Ntorq Ncounters I – Navigating the Night

BMW G 310 GS Explores Nagaland

SPECIAL Featured Story

Yamaha MT-10 SP – Ready for Road, Track, and Touring

Yamaha MT-10 SP – Ready for Road, Track, and Touring

In recent years, however, the MT-10 has begun to show its age, especially in terms of technology and rider aids. It was always on the thirsty side, too, and, by modern standards, the brakes were lacking. It was time for an update, which is why for 2022 Yamaha introduced a new MT-10 earlier this year.

More about this.

Car India and Bike India Awards 2019

Recent Posts

  • Hero Xoom First Ride Review
  • Specification Comparison: Ather 450X, Ola S1 Pro, TVS iQube S, Chetak and Hero Vida V1 Pro
  • FEBRUARY 2023
  • Triumph Tiger 900 and Tiger Sport 660 – A Thrilling Ride

Car India

Car India Magazine - Get your Digital Subscription

Latest News

Honda Activa H-Smart Launched In India

Dakar Rally 2023 – Benavides Emerges Victorious

HOP Electric Launch High Speed Variant Of Leo

Emotorad Launch Premium Electric Bicycles

Subscribe to Car India

Subscribe to our Car India Magazine

Bike India: India’s no. 1 two-wheeler magazine

BIKE India covers the two-wheeler industry in its entirety, both from the local and the international perspective. Also delivers the most definitive verdict on machinery and performance by explaining the hows, whys, and whats on every new bike in a lucid and user-friendly manner. BIKE India is the India’s most authoritative two-wheeler publication, a magazine for people with a passion for bikes and everything to do with their history and heritage.
SiteMap

Copyright © 2023 · BIKE INDIA INDIA’S NO. 1 TWO WHEELER MAGAZINE, BY FAR! ·