2016 APRILIA TUONO 1100 RR
FIRST RIDE
P98
Believe me when I tell you
this is a phenomenal streetbike
that's even better than before—
and it was already top dog in
the Supernaked sector. Climb-
ing aboard, I found a revamped
riding position via the one-piece
taper-section handlebar mount-
ed to the upper triple clamp,
which is a little shorter and flatter
than before, meaning you're
slightly more inclined forward to
load up the front wheel with your
body weight. But it's not at all
uncomfortable and doesn't tire
your wrists or shoulders, and the
new 15mm lower seat is better
padded and more accommodat-
ing, exactly as Aprilia claims it
to be compared to the previous
numb-bum plank. Though you
feel more a part of the bike than
before, there's a more spacious
riding position than on the RSV4
thanks to the lower footrests,
which are however still seri-
ously rearset, so this is indeed a
sporty stance.
First time I rode the original
Tuono V4R five years ago I was
immediately convinced this was
the best all-round sportbike I'd
yet ridden. Challengers from rival
manufacturers have come along
since then, headed by the KTM
1290 SuperDuke and BMW S
1000 R, but the cubed-up ver-
sion of the Tuono has unques-
tionably regained its supremacy.
The Factory
edition (left) gives
you some more
goodies, including
Öhlins, for your
extra $2000.
"THE TC CAN BE
ALTERED WHILE
RIDING WITHOUT
CLOSING THE
THROTTLE—AND
ESPECIALLY NOT
TURNING OFF
THE ENGINE—
AND OPERATES
SMOOTHLY IN
CONJUNCTION
WITH THE RBW/
RIDE BY WIRE
THROTTLE."
