Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 2018: the fastest naked ever from the Noale company [ROAD TEST]

Years pass, but the Tuono has been able to evolve, thanks to an attractive design and refined electronics.
16 years have passed since the first Aprilia Tuono 1000 V2, when its 125 HP caused a sensation for a motorcycle in that segment and for a model without a fairing. Today, getting on this new Tuono V4 Factory 2018 for the first time is still a crazy experience. It looks like a naked bike, but it drives like a sports car, because the Tuono is one in all respects. Everything is exaggerated on this bike. The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory is technological, comfortable and adapts to the type of use and riding style of every true motorcyclist. The new sophisticated electronic management includes an advanced package of APRC dynamic controls, such as Cornering ABS (perfect for braking even with the bike folded), the Pit Limiter and Cruise Control. Many goodies make the Noale naked a truly unique bike of its kind, a direct descendant of the RSV4, which we had the pleasure of trying on the Mugello circuit (here is our test).

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Without half measures

The Tuono looks truly captivating, with a strong and aggressive aesthetic (which is why it may not appeal to everyone). It almost looks like a track bike, but in reality it is a naked bike that can be used every day, ideal for getting around the city and for trips out of town. This "naked" version from Aprilia exploits the excellent technical base of the RSV4, in every way. And this is a good thing, given its great success. The design of this Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory expresses breathtaking racing beauty, both in terms of the technique it reveals and its very compact lines, also in terms of aerodynamic efficiency. The driving position is successful, obviously loaded forward, but not excessively, designed both for a weekend on the track, but also for having fun on mountain passes. The small fairing, which takes away a bit of air, but certainly doesn't work miracles in terms of aerodynamic protection, has a decidedly racing look. The headlight of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory maintains the particular appearance of that of the RSV4, with new "superpole" graphics. This Factory is equipped with a single-seater tail, but the saddle and footrest kit is available included in the price for a possible passenger. The riding position has always remained sporty, with a good saddle-footpeg-handlebar triangulation. It allows you to have wide arms, not too stretched out, thanks to the wide and high handlebars, guaranteeing a pleasant sense of mastery of the vehicle.
The footrests are equipped with footrests with a profile design designed to offer and guarantee maximum grip while riding. The seat from the ground is not much higher than the competition and this helps and facilitates movement with the engine off.

Another gem of this version from the Venetian company is the unprecedented and new TFT color instrumentation. But how does this verification and control system work? It allows you to act on every available setting. Starting from the mappings (Road and Race), which can be selected directly on the controls on the handlebars, from which it is possible to select other electronic parameters, and we assure you that for the more "geeks" there is plenty of fun to be had. A new version of the V4-MP, the Aprilia multimedia platform, has also been introduced on this model, which allows you to directly connect your smartphone and through which you can download data for a more in-depth analysis of vehicle driving. . Furthermore, this V4-MP version, for the first time at Aprilia, is able to manage incoming and outgoing phone calls by interacting with the helmet's telephone and Bluetooth.

Engine and performance:

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It earns the upgrade to Euro 4, retaining all its power and performance

The new Tuono, to comply with the increasingly strict Euro 4 anti-pollution regulations, has undergone technical changes, while maintaining its 175 HP at 11.000 rpm, with a torque of 121 Nm at 9000 rpm. We find 48 mm Weber Marelli throttle bodies with 4 injectors and full Ride-by-Wire management, better known as electronic accelerator, which identifies the activation of driving control devices, not through mechanical systems, but electrical ones. Not bad if fun is your calling. The engine is the well-known 4-cylinder longitudinal V of 65°, 4-stroke, liquid cooling, double overhead camshaft distribution (DOHC), four valves per cylinder, with some modifications made to the valve timing, guaranteeing an increase in maximum engine speed of 500 rpm, an advantage that we were able to see over time. The Tuono Factory is smooth at lows, has punch at mediums and when it extends it is pure excitement, thanks also to the new throttle control, which has made the engine's response even more precise. All seasoned with the magnificent sound that this 4-cylinder from Aprilia manages to convey. In fact, we could consider it to all intents and purposes a naked RSV4, because this Aprilia Tuono Factory 1100 promises not to bore even the most demanding customers. Just rotate the throttle knob to unleash all the power this little beast has at its disposal. When exiting corners, there is always a lot of traction, with the TC working very little. The many horsepower that this bike has available are delivered with an incredibly extended curve, to the point that they almost seem less than they actually are. We were also able to observe this sensation on the queen of Aprilia, the RSV4, which we tested not long ago at Mugello.

This 4-cylinder also gains a brand new exhaust system, with the silencer equipped with double Lambda probes, which are used to record the presence of oxygen in the exhaust gases. The quick/down shift gearbox is standard and allows you to change and downshift gears without using the clutch and without even closing the throttle when switching from one gear to another, allowing you to save fractions of a second, stimulating the desire to up and down with the tip of the left foot, in a more racing way. The electronic package of this Aprilia Tuono Factory 1000 is the same as the 7-time World Champion, the RSV4 so to speak. Electronic management is now a flagship of Aprilia and in this sense it is really interesting, starting from the ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) system adjustable on 8 levels, and with the AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), a system that allows three-level control of the wheelie. In both cases, adjustments can be made while running and without the need to close the throttle. In addition to the APL (Aprilia Pit Limiter) and ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) functions.

Ride and handling:

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Easy to handle and intuitive, it can be very stable when the pace increases

The feeling of having always been driving it is strong and present from the first kilometres. Yes, because this Aprilia Tuono Factory seems to easily satisfy the rider's every wish. Even when you push a little with your right wrist, you drive without too much effort and the Tuono shows excellent stability along fast bends. Let's first take a step back: the technical equipment of the Aprilia Tuono Factory 1100 is top of the class: Ohlins NIX fork, with TIN surface treatment, with forged aluminum feet to which Brembo M50 radial calipers with braided tubes and new pump are fixed radial. It should be enough? No. Because in addition to these valuable components, the Tuono has a new Bosch 9.1 MP Cornering ABS, adjustable on 3 different levels with a new system called Lift Up Mitigation, also adjustable, which keeps the rear wheel controlled if braking becomes would lift. The increase in performance is obviously accompanied by a refinement of the chassis. The double-beam aluminum frame with cast and pressed sheet metal elements is combined with a double-truss aluminum swingarm, with the Ohlins monoshock absorber (with piggy-back), fully adjustable (spring preload, wheelbase length, hydraulics in compression and rebound ), equipped with a new progressive connecting rod. To add to all this, the steering damper, again branded Ohlins, could not be missing.

Braking and taming these 175 HP are a new pair of 330 discs with radial pump on the handlebars and the new M50 monobloc calipers, combined with new compound sintered pads. Braking is effective but with a promptness that is not intimidating, you can manage the locking limit well, as well as increase braking up to the center of the bend. The Aprilia Tuono wears top quality tyres, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa, with the rear section increased to 200/55, which guarantees excellent support when the bike is folded.

Price and consumption:

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Challenging price, but Superbike technology
Quality comes at a price and the price is certainly demanding, but this Aprilia Tuono Factory 1100 really offers a lot, largely all the "magic" of a sophisticated RSV4. A faired and only slightly tamed version, which does not give up the peculiarities of the Noale superbike. The price list speaks of 18.290 euros for the Factory version, available only in this aggressive color. Giving up the Factory goodies, the Tuono V4 1100 starts at 15.890 euros.

In closing, a note on consumption, not that they are the most important aspect for those who choose a motorbike like this. We have detected values ​​close to 15 km/l, but it all depends a lot on the right hand of the driver and how much fun one wants and can using an infinite engine like this V4 1100.

Tester clothing:
Helmet: Suomy Replica Dovizioso
Jacket and gloves: Alpinestars
Boots: StylMartin Stealth Special
Jeans: Alpinestars Crank Pro Denim Dark Rinse

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Ease of driving, aesthetics, performance
We do not like it:
Uncomfortable for two, among the most extreme in road use, even in the Hypernaked segment

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory 2018: the Motorionline Report Card

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