RIDFAST OCTOBER 22

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Aprilia’s 2023 Tuono - V4 1100
In 2021 IMI gave us the Tuono Factory for the day and the lust factor went through the
roof. In 2022, they loaned us the Tuono, a slightly more cost effective, less race bike ride
for the day and guess what… We like it just as much! Launched in 2012, the first Tuono V4
thundered on to the market offering superbike levels of performance in a naked guise.
What’s the difference between a Factory and a Tuono? Well, a factory generally has big chimneys
and… OK! OK! Enough now! The Tuono includes features suited to sport-touring, with
an emphasis on sport and the Factory model remains an out-and-out hyper-naked, equally
at home at the track or on a twisty mountain road. The main differences between the two
models, are found in the suspension, in the riding position, and in the details:
This Tuono V4 hosts a tidy windscreen and fairing panels that help direct the wind away from
the rider. The triple LED headlight array and DRL configuration, common across the Tuono
lineup, includes cornering lights to illuminate the road ahead through the turns. These are
accompanied by a taller riser handlebar that props the rider more upright. It’s still sporty
and you certainly are not upright. The bike hosts a large, 5-inch, colour TFT dash and new
switchgear, with automatic headlight activation and turn signal cancellation. It has a broad,
flat passenger seat. An integrated grabrail, and lower passenger pegs look after your pillion
rider. It can also accept luggage.
That sweet 1100cc V4 mill is re-tuned for more midrange torque and still puts out a claimed
175 BHP. Taller gearing makes for a ‘slightly’ more chilled ride. The Aprilia Performance
Ride Control, (APRC), controls everything, including throttle response, wheelie control and
engine braking. The Tuono is fitted with a very smooth up-and-down shifter. Aprilia updated
its Quickshift software recently which improved an already very impressive system. Between
the gearbox and the engine a slipper-type clutch works some magic to deliver light clutch
pulls and drag-torque protection through the six speed gearbox. The electronics are really
simple, one button to switch between rider modes and oh yes! Cruise control. Pretty cool for
the long road. The factory model comes with Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 semi active electronically
adjustable suspension. The Tuono comes with conventional Sachs suspension front and rear.
Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres complete the package.