Aprilia test rides

[Stu]

I went on the Aprilia Experience test rides from Boxhill yesterday. Was fantastic
First was the RSVR Factory, pointless bike... well on the short test ride I didn't get anything special from it.
Next Tuono R, fantastic. As anyone on the France trip or probably anyone ever seen me on a bike will know, I like to use my fairing to the fullest extent & I never thought I could want a naked, but that was just awesome - total hooligan bike. When I was out on that ride I saw a bike in our group that I'd never seen before with the sexiest rear end ever! It's not out here for the next couple of months the Aprilia Dorsodura and I had to try it next. It's a soft supermoto version of the Shiver
So I cancelled my booking for the Mana & took it out. It was good, but not as good as the Tuono. It was the tallest bike I've ever ridden even taller than Supervox's GS (on the lowest suspension) and I was very happy to be able to handle it fine.
Very sexy cans - sound great & look even better, sorry I didn't take any pics there's almost a good pic on the Aprilia site but it's in Adobe flash so I can't copy or link to it.
Top marks to the ride leader. He did a very good job of keeping us together & providing a spirited ride given the conditions (& proving that the Mana doesn't half shift!)

I've also heard the Mana as an auto is very quick off the traffic light grand-prix!

Now Stu - I can tempt you into buying a used (and mildly abused ) Tuono?

[SoulKiss]

The Mana seems to be tricker to ride than it would seem tho.

Some guy was turning back into The Ace on the test day there, managed to drop it and do a really good job on his ankle, as in his knee pointed one way his toes were at 90 degrees to that direction.......

[Stu]

Originally Posted by TuonoGrant

Now Stu - I can tempt you into buying a used (and mildly abused ) Tuono?

I wish Can you wait a few years ...



Or give a serious mates rates?

DID you see me turn up at about 9:20!?!?!

I had a good look at the prilas

i want a tuono factory, mmmm

Matt

Does the tuono have a tendancy to 'shake its head'

I was chatting with a fellow WVAM about his tuono he claims no matter what he did, it would always throw a hissy fit on accelleration?!

I'd love one. more than any supersports.

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Does the tuono have a tendancy to 'shake its head'

I was chatting with a fellow WVAM about his tuono he claims no matter what he did, it would always throw a hissy fit on accelleration?!

I'd love one. more than any supersports.

Interesting - mine never has and I havent heard people mention it happening all the time. I am thinking his has a set up issue on his suspension?? They do come fitted with steering damping too.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

DID you see me turn up at about 9:20!?!?!

No, my 1st booking was 10:45 & I was horribly late for it, but still got to go out with the group. Shame you didn't stick around, but I guess you weren't allowed on. You wouldn't have recognised me on my Ninja.

Originally Posted by injury_ian

Does the tuono have a tendancy to 'shake its head'

Yes, & what's the problem ? Great fun
The Dorsodura was the same, but if the front wheel is barely in contact with the ground what can you expect.
when I came back, I did comment that the steering dampner didn't seem to do very much (which I didn't mind) they said it is adjustable Is yours turned up high Grant?

Originally Posted by TuonoGrant

Interesting - mine never has and I havent heard people mention it happening all the time. I am thinking his has a set up issue on his suspension?? They do come fitted with steering damping too.

[Stu]

Forgot to say. I was sure that i had engaged the ABS on the Dorsodura three times on the ride (it does have an ABS warning light on the dash) but when I got off, there was no sensor ring on the brake disc & the dealer's insisted it did not have ABS. So what's that all about it was severe brake judder on very hard braking, once turning on a roundabout, but before I would have expected it to lock up. The road surface was very poor on 2 occasions & as I said the 3rd I was turning.
The dealer said that the French journos had thrown the bike down a mountain previously.

[rictus01]

For those (and we seem to have a few) who are "search challenged".





Cheers Mark.