Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 MY2017, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 MY2017 – After Gianluca Cuttitta tested the queen of road Superbikes, the RSV4 RF MY 2017, a few days ago, we went to Trento for the test, this time on the road, of the 2017 version of the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100.

The technical presentation, before getting on the saddle, enlightened us on the fact that, despite being theoretically "just an update to the Euro 4 regulation", the Tuono that we will test today is actually a motorbike identical to the previous one only in its aesthetic aspect. In fact, the new Tuono, also in order to comply with the increasingly strict emissions regulations, has undergone technical changes which have allowed it to maintain the 175hp of the previous version, which has actually become even worse. In fact, the new V4 from Noale has adopted new solutions, the most surprising of which are two and concern the engine and exhaust. The entire engine compartment has in fact been revised and enriched with technical processes aimed at lightening the moving mechanical parts, now treated with specific materials to reduce internal friction and optimize performance. The result is a more responsive engine, more rev-hungry (the limiter has been moved 500 revs higher, now at 12.500), but also noticeably more elastic and which digests "under torque" speeds well.

Another detail that Aprilia technicians worked hard on is the exhaust. Of generous dimensions, it features a refined exhaust valve with "paddle" operation and not "butterfly" operation as is usually the case, and is a real concentration of technology. Thanks to this valve, the sound at idle and in the lower part of the rev counter is pleasantly delicate and polite but, when needed, once the right path is reached where the potential of the bike can be expressed, opening the throttle corresponds to an immediate opening of the valve (electrically controlled), which allows the exhaust gases to flow quickly out of the main duct, creating an aggressive and menacing sound, typical of the Aprilia V4.

The electronic gearbox is new, now also with assisted downshifting (the new AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift), the sound is enriched with violent bangs in the most severe gear changes, both up and down! Once in motion, the gears go up and down at the slightest pressure of the foot on the lever, without any hesitation or hesitation. In addition to this, the new inertial platform has been repositioned, inclined by 45° compared to the previous horizontal position, which has also made it possible to improve all the other aspects related to the management of the electronics. The new traction control (ATC), the new launch control (ALC) and, above all, the arrival of the Cornering ABS (the 9.1 MP system from Bosch), work in sync and better, thanks to the reading of the steering angle pitch, which has now become a new parameter available. Each system can be calibrated on multiple levels, so we have many adjustments that allow you to "customize" the 2017 Tuono as you see fit and based on your driving style.

An “all electronic” motorcycle then? Not exactly. In fact, a decidedly advanced "mechanical" technical part has been added to the electronics, which brings Sachs suspensions for the RR versions and all Öhlins for the Factory version, the one we tested. We were saying mechanical suspensions, which do not have any type of electronic control, but which as we will see on the road, have nothing to envy of electronic ones. These high-quality suspensions are combined with new 330 mm discs at the front. Both diameter and thickness increase, now by 5 mm (they were 4,5), which allows for decisive and powerful braking, but also more resistant to fading and very modular. This is also thanks to the Brembo M50 monobloc calipers equipped with pads with a new compound, which has a very gentle action in the first attack phase, before moving on to the ultra-powerful braking of which it is capable.

It is therefore with these indications that we are preparing to drive the new Tuono 1100 V4 under a cloudy sky threatening rain. Right from the start it seems that the Aprilia magic has worked, given that in the morning traffic of Trento the bike moves without the slightest grumble or jerk, turning without problems at speeds that until a few years ago would have caused a "normal" 4 V1100 to shut down cc! The exaggerated torque, 121 Nm at 9.000 rpm allows the Noale supernaked to trot along without problems from 2.500 rpm onwards, without hesitating in the slightest if you open the throttle decisively. The 175 horsepower reaches 11.000, but the acceleration doesn't stop yet, because as mentioned the V4 reaches 12.500 before "touching" the limiter.

We begin to climb towards the mountains, where we discover that the threatening clouds we saw from the city have unloaded their fury on the surrounding roads. We set the traction control to the most invasive and safety-oriented mode with the handlebar controls (with an operation that can always be done, even when the throttle is open, with two easy buttons positioned on the left block) and continue. The Aprilia ABS, now of the Cornering type, the new traction control and the rounded delivery of the engine, make the uphill and wet road a very pleasant experience and without too many mental worries to manage the beast we are sitting on. We would like to remind you that the Factory version being tested comes standard with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tyres, which are excellent, but not exactly the most suitable tires for water that you could ask for. Yet, despite this, we never manage to see the traction light come on, because the linearity of the engine's delivery allows you to drive by adjusting the throttle with your right wrist, now equipped with a full ride-by-wire system.

Giove pluvio probably wonders how a motorbike can be called “Tuono”, so he decides to give us a break to show him all the fury of which this naked is capable. In the afternoon, in fact, a magnificent sun comes out and we find ourselves, despite being on the road, keeping a decidedly fast pace, finally making full use of the excellent cycling qualities of the Tuono. The wide handlebar allows you to have truly total control of the vehicle, even in the case of ruined asphalt and the small fairing still manages to repair just enough to avoid finding yourself "hanging" from the handlebar itself. The hot tyres, the dry asphalt and the new chassis invite us to dance between the curves and so we realize how, on this new supernaked, the limit inexorably ends up being the rider!

Speaking with the Aprilia test riders during the stops we discovered how they too struggle to exploit more than 50/60% of the potential of this bike on the road, which although enjoyable even in this context, ends up being adequately exploitable only between the curbs. The Tuono in fact derives from the queen of track Superbikes, the RSV4, but its 1100 engine makes it a deadly weapon for use on the road, where however it can never be exploited beyond a certain limit. However, this doesn't mean that you can't have fun, on the contrary, having an engine like this at your disposal, a commendable chassis and electronics at the top of the category, you can have fun better and in complete safety. Emergency braking is not a problem, even with the bike folded, thanks to ABS Cornering, while the anti-tipping system prevents the rear wheel from lifting if you push too hard straight ahead. The superb chassis then supports aggressive changes of direction without any uncertainty, being able to count on perfectly calibrated Öhlins and excellent tyres.

Then when the road opens up and we can dare more, when we rotate the throttle a rush of force, accompanied by a powerful sound, catapults us forward with a ardor that impresses, but does not frighten, also in this case the anti-wheeling and the holy hand of electronics make everything easier to manage. Finally, to demonstrate that the naked version is dedicated to the road, along the motorway transfers we were able to appreciate the new Cruise Control, which makes driving on "boring" sections a real tourist stroll, without thinking too much about the limits or limits. velox. In short, as you may have understood, with the 2017 version Aprila has decided to place itself at the top of the Hyper Naked category and, without too much presumption, we are convinced that, to date, it is an absolute reference. What back in 2002 was a "stripped" version of the RSV (then with only two cylinders), today is a mature bike with its own distinct character, which draws heavily on technology and experience in MotoGP and Superbike, which exploits the innovations of the faired version, but which stands out for the unique character of its engine and the driving position which make it 100% ambivalent: born for the track, perfect for the road. The Italian nude continues to proudly carry our flag at the top of its segment.

The price for this little gem? The Factory we tested, with Öhlins suspension and a magnificent and very aggressive single-seater tail, but still approved for two, as well as a 200 rear tire instead of the 190 and Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa instead of the Diablo Rosso III, is listed at 18.190 euros , while the RR (in this case with Sachs suspension and a small saddle for the possible passenger), stops at 15.790. Among the options we find, for the RR, the Öhlins steering damper which is standard on the Factory, the reverse gearbox for the more track enthusiasts, fine forged rims, but also protections for the frame and two exhausts made by Akrapovic could not be missing: one slip-on racing type and a complete racing type, both with carbon silencer.

Test clothing:
Jacket: Spidi Tronik Tex
Pants: Spidi J-Strong
Gloves: Spidi S-4
Shoe: Stylmartin
Helmet: X-lite 1003 Ultra Carbon