Wheelie Good Tuono

[Viney]

Date: Saturday 8th April.
Location: Station Approach, East Grinstead
Mission: To test ride an 06 Aprillia Tuono

So praying for dry weather, it seemed that I got it at 10am on the Saturday morning. I along with me girlfriend arrived at Bikersword in east Grinstead, licence, utility bill and passport in hand. After a brief chat, and form filling in, I was handed the key to a 55 plate Tuono, in stunning silver, and a pair of Arrow cans! After a brief overview of the bike, I was told that she only had 28 miles on the clock, so take it easy, keep it below 6k. Nodding, and thinking, yeah ok, whatever, I swung my leg over the seat and slid on! This is the 1st thing that I noticed, how god damn tall this bike is! Now I know what short people feel like. With just my toes touching the floor, I fiddle around with the trip meters, (A little 3 position switch on the left cluster) and zero the meter. Blipping the throttle listening to the rasp from the cans, I pull in the light clutch and click the bike into 1st. Pulling out on to station approach, you get to realise how high up you sit on this bike, combined the wide bars, just make you feel in total command. I had a route planned that included the B2028, and the A264, 2 of my fav roads in kent/Surrey. After filling up with petrol, we where off. Filtering through the traffic you get to notice that your lofty position is a bonus, you can see much more than you can on the SV. The bike pulls smoothly in 2nd and 3rd with no nasty throttle snatch.

The 1st roundabout. Well, this again, is where you notice how tall this bike is. Leaning over is quite an experience, it just seems so far. Setting into the bike, I give it some stick. Wow. This bike responds. Clean smooth power delivery and light box, just make this bike a delight. The same couldn’t be said about the ride. It felt very very harsh compared to the SV, but I am sure that these are just the stock settings, or some dialled in by the dealer, saying that, it went rolled form corner to corner with ease, but you just knew that it wanted more. Even keeping the bike under the recommended 6k rpm, the bike felt more than fast enough for the twisty 2028, and the slight damp road. The wide bars makes this bike easy to navigate and control. The same goes for the brakes. A fantastic shushing noise greets you when you pull in on the fully adjustable leaver and sheds your speed quickly when required.

Finding a decent straight, I decided not to listen to the ‘advice’ and give it some stick. Hmmmm, quick, but then you would expect that wouldn’t you. The small fairing (Something that resembles a Gilera DNA) does a good job of flowing the wind over you and helps the old neck muscles. Finding that at 6k in top equates into triple figures. Stopping for 5 mins to reflect on the bike, I give it the once over. The proportions are right, the back end looks pretty cool with the clear lensed rear light, the twin cans, all make for a pretty shapely ass. It also looks like Aprilia have finally brought a new instrument cluster, with an analogue rev counter and digital Speedo, which when you 1st switch on, displays the name of the bike, just in case you forgot! My only ‘not sure’ point is the little fairing. I think its better than the old bike, but still looks like an after thought.

On reflection, this bike is a hooligan, a Chelsea head hunter, a Milwall supporter! and needs someone to take it in their hands and tell it whos daddy. Sadly however, it just kept pulling my pants down spanking my ass and telling me, whos the daddy! I could never justify such a bike for what would ammount to a commuter. I could never be a Johnny 2 bikes and definitly couldn't justify £1500 deposit and £170 a month for the next 3 years of my life, and then theres the £600 a year servicing!! I'll sitck with doris for the time being thank you.

Great review there Viney, the tiny fairing I would of thought offered no protection but good to hear it offers something rather than just looks. Also the rear end is lifted of the Mille I think, that does smooth out the rear end and those cans do look great.

Alot of money though your right, run the SV into the ground it is

if your girlfriend is a biker too then get her to split the costs

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Gnan

if your girlfriend is a biker too then get her to split the costs

Like thats ever gonna happen.

I found it was too tall for me (but I am a short ****). I also hated the ride, it seemed very "rough" around the edges and hated the way the bike moved about under me.

However, in the right hands it's a real hooligan tool, after watching Damien (Omen) getting his knee down on almost every roundabout and hairpin we passed in Europe (and after 9 days in the Alps, that's a lot of knee sliders!) just shows you that some people bond with it better than others.

Glad you liked though Ian, but as you say, it's a lot of money for a bike that's mainly a commuter....

.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Viney

Like thats ever gonna happen.

Only coz you dont want her riding it. Can you imagine the giggles

[Viney]

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Only coz you dont want her riding it. Can you imagine the giggles

She couldnt touch the floor