Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1190846
PIKES PEAK-WINNING APRILIA TUONO 1100 RSV FACTORY R I D E R E V I E W P110 the engine heads for the revlimiter in a way that's seri- ously satisfying, and definitely dramatic. You can't help but appreciate the smoothness of the perfectly dialed-in two-way powershifter, complete with an auto-blipper for clutchless downshifts punctuated by a musical blip from the distinc- tive note of the V4 motor as you hook a lower gear. Fourth gear on the PP gear- ing was especially useful at Buttonwillow, which, thanks to the wide spread of torque, I could hold for a good part of the infield without sacrificing drive. At first, I really needed to force myself to use at least one gear higher than I might have done normally because of the low overall gearing, but the Tuono's flexibility and wide spread of torque, which peaks at 9000 rpm with 89.9 lb-ft on tap, makes it much less important which gear you throw at it. However, it does pay to rev it right out to the lim- iter, because there's definitely more power up high, which it pays off to access. The soft suspension was only really noticeable under hard braking, when the weight transfer was something to remember, though ride quality over Buttonwillow's several bumps underlined why Ren- nie preferred such a setup at Pikes Peak. I tried to use his thumb brake as intended, and actually came away quite impressed—best of all was using it first before squeez- ing the front brake lever. This preloaded the rear suspen- sion before moving the weight transfer forwards via the front brake, resulting in a more balanced approach to turns, and ultimately making it easier to keep up turn speed. By the end of my third and final ses- sion I was starting to get the hang of it. To be continued! That's sadly not, however, the story of the Pikes Peak- winning Aprilia, for after Carlin Dunne's tragic passing, it's been confirmed there'll be no motorcycle race there in 2020. This makes it quite likely that Rennie Scaysbrook may be the all-time record holder on two wheels for the course, and the Aprilia a very historic motorcycle. Piaggio flew the bike to Europe for the EICMA Show last month, since it's been quite a long time since they won anything to boast about! But it's surpris- ing they haven't concocted a 50-off limited edition street replica of the Pikes Peak- winning Tuono, just as Ducati has consistently done after its wins there (there is a U.S. Pikes Peak Tuono named the Summit Attack, but that's only a paint job and oddly released before the race start). Many believe the street Tuono 1100 Factory is the finest real-world road bike that money can presently buy. Seems it works pretty well at altitude, too! CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S APRILIA TUONO V4 1100 RSV4 FACTORY PIKES PEAK RACER ENGINE: ..............Water-cooled, DOHC, 65-degree, V4, 4-stroke, 4 valves per cylinder, modular gear/chain camshaft drive BORE X STROKE:................................. 81 x 52.3mm CAPACITY: ......................................................1078cc OUTPUT: ............... 175 bhp/129 kW at 11,000 rpm (at sea level, at rear wheel) COMPRESSION RATIO: ........................................15:1 FUEL/IGNITION SYSTEM: ........................ Electronic fuel injection and engine management system, with Aprilia Racing/Magneti Marelli APX2 ECU, 4 x 48mm Weber-Marelli throttle bodies, single injector ea., plus Power Commander TRANSMISSION: ....... 6-speed extractable cassette- type with straight-cut primary gears CLUTCH: ................... Multiplate oil-bath ramp-type slipper clutch, cable operation CHASSIS: ............ Twin-spar aluminium frame with vertically adjustable engine location FRONT SUSPENSION: ...........Fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins NIX30 inverted telescopic fork REAR SUSPENSION:................Twin-sided aluminium swingarm with fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 monoshock and progressive rate link FRONT BRAKE: ..........2 x 330mm Brembo floating stainless steel discs with radially-mounted 4-piston Brembo M50 Monoblock calipers, radial master cylinder and metal braided brake lines (Bosch ABS disconnected) REAR BRAKE: ................. 1 x 220mm Brembo steel disc with floating Brembo 2-piston caliper, thumb operation FRONT WHEEL: ............. 120/75R420 Pirelli Diablo Superbike, 3.50 in. Aprilia RSV4 RF forged aluminium wheel REAR REAR: ...................... 200/60-17 Pirelli Diablo Superbike, 6.00 in. Aprilia RSV4 RF forged aluminium wheel SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................................33.0 in. RAKE/TRAIL: .........................24.7 degrees/3.92 in. WHEELBASE: ..................................................57.0 in. WEIGH (NO FUEL): ........................................374 lbs. S P E C I F I C A T I O N S