I love the V4 engine in my '98. Something about V-twins & V4's that "does it for me" :smile: Have been looking at the new Aprilia Tuono online & must say that if I could have another bike (can't :frown then this could very well be the one. Anyone seen one or ridden one? What are your thoughts?
I haven't been on a Tuono but I have been on both a 2000.5 Mille RSV-R and a 2004 RSV Factory. Both are essentially the same bike as the Tuono, just with different fairings and bars. The sound and feel of that 1000cc V-Twin is amazing. Both bikes were damn near as reliable as the VFR and required about the same maintenance. IIRC, valve maintenance is just as much as a PITA too. Hands down, the Tuono IS my next bike and I've wanted one for years. I just couldn't find the one I wanted at the right price when I bought the VFR. I've also been hearing rumors of a Tuono based on the RSV4 engine for a while but have yet to see anything concrete. If/when that happens, it would put me between a rock and a hard place on making a decision.
Yeah. Check out the reviews on youtube. They have some good things to say....& that motor sure sounds sweeeeeet :biggrin:
Head over to the AF1 Aprilia Forum, good group over there and they can answer all of your questions. ApriliaForum sponsored by AF1 Racing, inc. - Powered by vBulletin .
I know two VFR riders that bought tuonos and love them. The tuono can unleash a little more of that inner hooligan. Prob not as comfortable for an all day ride but fun to play on.
I have ridden the V4 Tuono in OZ as I work for the importer. There are only 2 in the country at the moment. one yellow and one black which we are blinging up a little. I don't want to sound bias but it is the best bike I have ever ridden period!!!! Makes everything else look stupid. So easy to ride fast, user friendly, sounds like nothing else and is safe as it has APRC.....but I still love MY old VFR800...
yes it is the same as the RSV4 engine but with milder cams, ECU mapping and different gear ratio's. It is actually a lot easier to ride than the RSV4 on the road and in traffic as it has a shorter 1st gear and more torque down low and mid range. The riding position is pretty comfortable and fuel consumption is good. It will be arriving at dealers shortly in OZ.....
The V twin Tuono and RSV have motors built by Rotax, whereas the V4s are built by Aprilia. The Rotax motors are well made but based on my bro's experience with the Aprilia made motor (SXV 450 with blown rod @ 2k miles) I personally wouldn't pursue the RSV4 as much as I think it's a fantastic all-around bike. On the other hand, I've heard of the Tuonos & RSVs having some electrical issues, but some of us are no strangers to this.
I wanted one of these "factory" models so bad ;full Olins, magnesium frame, but at $15,000. no dealer network and hard to get parts I went with a Honda 919...tell me that this Aprilla is not one of the the coolest bikes you have seen though!
Hey this is an old thread but when I googled "VFR vs. Tuono" this came up. Here's the deal y'all.. I've owned two VFRs when they were the best bike out there, as well as some other bikes including GSX750R, etc. I have this to say. The Honda VFR is one of, if not the best all around bike ever made. In the late 1990s nothing was close. I bought one at 20 years old and another at 22 brand new, and rode the heck out of them. Rode fast, never crashed... All the riders on here know the story that the VFR is a great bike. The other day I woke up in the middle of the night, inspired by the ghost of motorcycle greatness... haven't found that great bike SINCE the last VFR I owned (and I've owned several since)... the holy spirit directed me to buy a Tuono, I kid you not friends... and it is, small "Italian" quirks aside (it's not a Honda my friends), that bike IS a great progression from a VFR; almost as smooth, faster, less fairing, slightly less reliable (as pointed out, I've been to the shop a couple times for menial things)... it's beautiful, and rides like the clouds of heavens are carrying you through turns, just like the VFR... Mines a 2007. IMO the Honda VFR was the best bike there was 10 years ago, and bikes have gotten faster, but not that much more enjoyable. The Aprilia Tuono blends smoothness, power, and a strange... primitive refinement to the art of riding, that I haven't felt since the VFR. The VFR is a "gentlemans bike", but I've outrun many a sportbike on it in my day and have the tickets to prove it. The Tuono is a great bike to have after a VFR... Thus far, equally proud of the purchase.
Or you can have both!!! I agree with everything said about the Tuono. Mine is the same year as yours and like you said, small Italian quirks aside, its a great bike. I love jumping from my 93 VFR with its smooth relaxed power to the Tuono with it's V-twin, its almost savage in the power delivery compared to the VFR with almost instant wheelies and canyon carving goodness.
