Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory

THE BASIC architecture of the second generation Tuono V4 is the same as the previous. But the entire front brake set-up has been replaced, from the master cylinder to the ABS system, and everything between. The forks also get new internals (lighter springs), the engine another 500rpm and there’s the must-have item for 2017, a shitting big exhaust.

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All very nice upgrades that no doubt will make the Tuono that bit fitter and sharper than it already was, and thus give it a good shot at seeing off the German, Japanese and Austrian competition (must avoid using the word invasion), and retain its status as the daddy of all nakeds. So now the Tuono can save the planet and go faster at the same time, which is wonderful news. But not nearly as wonderful as the news that the rider interface and dashboard/display have been replaced. The Tuono and RSV4 are the only two bikes out of the hundreds that I have ridden for PB that have ever made me feel physically violent towards them. If I had one to hand, I could have put a hammer through the display out of sheer frustration on many occasions. “Truly shit” doesn’t even come close to how terrible the whole rider interface experience was on the previous Tuono, but now there’s a decently intuitive display coupled with a joystick on the left handlebar to navigate the Tuono’s brain and central nervous system. The new display is the first thing to catch Rutter’s eye, specifically the lean angle indicator. “Ooooh look, it’s got one of those lean angle things. That’s properly trick,” says Michael in his broad Black Country accent. He is a simple creature, and easily impressed, confessing that he did consider wearing his new Alpinestars airbag suit around the house due to the flashing lights on the left forearm pleasing him so much.