"Rode a couple of Aprilias today (Tuono factory & Mana)" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
First up was the Tuono Factory. I hadn't ridden of these before so I was eager to be let loose. Pokey enough engine once above ...

First up was the Tuono Factory. I hadn't ridden of these before so I was eager to be let loose. Pokey enough engine once above 4k and a lot less snatchy around town traffic than I had imagined. Good punch out of corners in the lower gears,but as always with me it takes a while to recalibrate to riding a twin. I quite often found myself in too high a gear and observing the engine sweet spot is a must for maximum fun. Front stoppers were good,as for the back I swore it wasn't working at all..apparently it was,if you really stood on it.

Little effort was required dumping the bike in and out of bends due to the mandlebars. It was a fairly windy day during the trial,but up to 120 seemed fine. Sustained high speed may be more tiring,but it's maybe the wrong bike for that anyway.
The bike felt a little vague to me at the higher speeds,this could be down to me not being used to high bars,or just needing set up the way I like. Full Ohlins front and rear must surely give that option.

I liked the Tuono and would consider owning one,bikes should be fun and this is.

Next along was an oddity,the Aprilia Mana.

The Mana is an automatic,quite a shock having no clutch lever,which I found myself looking for once or twice. Gears are shifted by a couple of tabs at your left thumb,front one for up and the rear one for down. Or you can use the gear lever at your toe to move between the 7 gears. Strange seeing a 7 displayed in the gear indicator.

It has three switchable modes,touring,rain and sport. Aprilia's Suzuki ghey button,if you like.

The 800 engine does struggle to keep the Tuono in sight on long straights,a 1200 version is due and this may be a more interesting prospect. Handling was on the soft side,particularly the forks,but still capable of a bit of spirited riding. Front brakes were godd enough and the rear not so...is this an Aprilia trait?

The Mana would make a great commuter if your journey consists of town riding. An interesting concept which I hope is developed further.

So.................If you could only ride one or the other, which one would you have?

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Im on THE list

Who let you loose on those?

Can you go back and try the Pegaso Trail and let me know what you think.

Ta

RR motorcycles in Lisburn open day Saturday and Sunday. Take your licence and blag a sail tomorrow laddie.

LOL - he said mandlebars.

I've rated this a FIVE.

Bog off.

It definitely seems that back brakes are an optional extra on an Aprilia...

Aftyer a while you give up trying for it

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Es mejor morir de pies que vivir en las rodillas

MC 004

Gedge, would you like the Brembo off of my superduke? I only use it once a day to check it hasn't fallen off.

Was there a lot of "Clutch slip" on the Mana Did it have any grunt away from the lights, so to speak or did it rev highly and gradually bite.

Mana 1200 sounds very interesting.

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Wonder about my avatar? CLick this www.freeschapelle.net/

No I've got a Brembo lever and master cylinder so I can always presss it for comfort..its just when you go up Andorra at -2 degrees with snow and ice across the road that a working one seems like a good idea

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Es mejor morir de pies que vivir en las rodillas

MC 004

Blimey mate - if it's that cold take the car!

It was a bit late when you are 700 miles from the car to discover that just cos its 24 degrees in Valencia doesn't mean the rest of Europe will be the same

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Es mejor morir de pies que vivir en las rodillas

MC 004

Didn't you learn the 6 Ps as a lad?

(Good point well made)

6 P's yes, but european meterology no

I blame the internet for misleading me

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Es mejor morir de pies que vivir en las rodillas

MC 004