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/839188
2017 APRILIA TUONO 1100 RR & FACTORY FIRST TEST P100 absolutely. The Sachs units on the RR worked very well, but I just ride too hard and too long on the canyons at a given time to settle for anything less than what's obtainable, and $2500 in this hobby doesn't go a long way these days. Plus, I love the look of the Factory's solo seat and Superpole paint scheme with green accents. STICKY SITUATIONS I must say on topic I was very impressed with the higher mileage Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires—standard equipment on the RR. They could not be pushed toward the same grip levels as the Supercorsa SPs, but I was able to go straight down onto my knee puck directly out of the pits for each rotation and never experienced a scary moment on the Rossos when riding briskly at about 75 percent. If they do last longer but still offer that level of performance, in the real world when top shelf sportbike tires can cost $400 or more per pair, adding some extra miles to each set becomes a very practical bonus in savings over time. I could see how the padded passenger seat on the RR could come in handy at times, too. But the stock footpegs suck—my boots were slipping off of them all day! If an RR or Factory were in my garage, it would feature a lightweight titanium exhaust, syn- thetic racing brake fluid (to help with niggling brake system over- heating) and grippy aftermarket footpegs with race shift as an option—because I race bikes. Make no mistake, the Aprilia Tuono RR and Factory are superbikes fitted with upright handlebars. But there's more to it than that. The extra capac- ity and improved gearbox make for a better street bike than the hyperactive RSV4, and there's plenty of comfort thanks to the relaxed riding position. Who cares if the Tuono isn't ideal for cross-country trips or hardcore short circuit racing? Just wheelie and back the thing in all over town, tear up and down your best twisties, enter it in Pikes Peak Hill Climb (if you're brave enough), then wipe off the bugs at the end of the day. This is what it feels like to be a hooligan. Thank you, Aprilia, you've made me a better man. CN 2017 APRILIA TUONO 1100 RR ($14,999) / FACTORY ($17,499) ENGINE: ....... 65° V4, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16 valves; Ride-By-Wire with three engine maps (Sport, Race, Track) DISPLACEMENT: ................................... 1077cc BORE X STROKE:........................ 81 x 52.3mm HORSEPOWER: ..............172 hp @ 11,000 rpm TORQUE: .......89 lb-ft @ 9000 rpm (claimed) FUEL SYSTEM: ............................................ EFI. EXHAUST: ...................................................4-2-1 TRANSMISSION: .................................6-speed; quickshifter-equipped. CHASSIS: .....Aluminum composite twin spar FRONT SUSPENSION (RR model): ...... 43mm, fully adjustable Sachs inverted forks; 4.3 inches travel. REAR SUSPENSION (RR model): ............ Fully adjustable Sachs Balance Free shock. 4.7 inches travel. FRONT SUSPENSION (Factory model): ... 43mm fully adjustable Ohlins NIX30 inverted forks; 5.1 Ohlins. REAR SUSPENSION (Factory model): ..Ohlins STX46 fully adjustable rear shock; 5.1 inches travel. FRONT BRAKE: ... Dual Brembo M50 4-piston calipers, 330mm discs; ABS REAR BRAKE: .....Brembo twin-piston caliper. 220mm disc; ABS FRONT TIRE: ............................... 120/70 ZR17 REAR TIRE: .. 190/55 ZR17 (200/55 ZR17 for Factory model) WHEELBASE: ...........................................57.1 in SEAT HEIGHT: ....................................... 32.5 in FUEL CAPACITY: .................................. 4.9 gal. WEIGHT: ......................461 lb. (wet, claimed). COLOR: .....................Portico Grey and Assen Black (RR) / Superpole (Factory) S P E C I F I C A T I O N S IT BOILS DOWN TO TRUST— TRUST IN THE BIKE'S MANY SYSTEMS, AND TRUST THAT SHE MAY NEVER LET ME DOWN.