RIDE REVIEW I 2021 APRILIA TUONO V4
P96
one preset mode called Race and two
customizable modes. There's plenty to
get lost in here. Cruise control, eight
traction control modes, five wheelie
control, and three launch control,
engine brake and power modes. Trust
me, you've got more than enough
parameters to fine-tune these Aprilia's
exactly to your tastes.
But what are these two Tuono's like
to ride? Honestly, not that different
than before, and this is a good thing.
Let's focus on the Tuono V4 Factory.
Considering the star of the show,
that stupendous Italian-built V4 motor is
basically unchanged, the feeling at the
twistgrip is like shaking hands with an
old friend. I hadn't ridden a Tuono V4
since the test with Alan Cathcart of my
Pikes Peak race winner back in 2019
and although my bike was heavily modi-
fied in terms of ECU, exhaust and gear-
ing, the feeling is pretty much the same.
My bike had just been to the gym.
The Tuono's throttle response
from fully closed is still silky smooth,
which allows the pussycat personal-
ity to shine through. Around town, the
Tuono's manners are impeccable, so
long as you try to forget the incredible
amount of heat the motor will give off
if you're stuck in traffic with little to no
airflow. I saw 225°F flash up on the
dash, way past the boiling point of
water, although I'll admit the day was
a scorcher at 92° so that no doubt
(Below) Just like
the RSV4, the new
LED headlights
look mean
as hell in the
metal. (Bottom)
Passenger seat on
the base model
is huge (relatively
speaking).
(Right) The ride
position on the
base model is a
little more relaxed
and won't have you
attacking corners
quite like you will
on the Factory.
