VOL. 56 ISSUE 18 MAY 7, 2019 P135
BUILDING
Project
Thunder
Starting off with the base package
Tuono 1100, we already have a
claimed 175 hp from the 65° V4 mo-
tor. It's a stunningly fast machine as
standard and comes with some of the
best suspension, brakes, and elec-
tronics on the market today.
The idea for our racebike build is not
to go too nuts on the build, but just to
enhance what's already there. I feel
like in the past with my racebikes for
the Mountain I've gone too stiff on the
setup, which has hampered me a bit
in the mid-section of the track. Don't
get me wrong, the KTM is as dear to
my heart as any motorcycle I've ever
ridden and holds the lap record with
Chris Fillmore, however, for the Aprilia,
we're going to try something new.
The main thing is to strip off as
much weight as we can. Just the
stock bodywork, associated plastics,
battery, exhaust, shock and bits, and
bobs will save us a ton of weight.
To that end, the build will feature an
Ohlins TTX36 shock, full titanium
Akrapovic exhaust, Attack Racing
rearsets, 520 D.I.D chain and AFAM
sprocket kit, and a lightweight lithium-
ion battery.
Being a naked bike, we're not go-
ing to fully cloak the bike in bodywork,
but we'll be using an RSV4 upper
cowling and side panels, and an
RSV4 race seat unit. Most of this stuff
bolts on without too much modifica-
tion, anyway, although we'll have to
get some mounting brackets made
up for the bodywork.
(Above) For a naked
bike, there's a surprising
amount of bodywork we
need to toss. (Right) The
Ohlins TTX shock is used
universally on race and
track bikes, and after a
few years on WP, it'll be
nice to see the differences
at the mountain. (Below)
This Akrapovic exhaust is
so light it's hard to believe
it actually works. And it's
absolutely beautiful, too.
