The perfect compromise between size, power and control

‘Compromise’ is not a word we associate with motorcycles. By definition, they expose us to the elements, and in return they give us a thrill that is very difficult to reproduce in a car without spending enormous amounts of money. Whichever motorcycle makes headlines because it’s lighter, faster, more powerful… and definitely more expensive.

However, as you grow in experience and age, you no longer want a million different bikes. Or maybe it’s simply not practical to own many. So a motorcycle that does many things well will be a great addition to the garage, like a Naked Bike. But which motorcycles do it best? What’s the perfect compromise between size, power and control? That’s what we’re here to find out.

The Aprilia Tuono V4 is the perfect compromise between size, power and control

Aprilia is known to make some pretty fast motorcycles, and the Tuono is among the fastest in its class. In fact, it might just have started the movement of naked versions of sportbikes that aren’t toned-down counterparts – just different versions with a more upright riding position and a smaller/no fairing. Considering the performance on offer, the subliminal APRC electronics package and the compact dimensions, the Tuono V4 is the perfect compromise between size, power and control.

Aprilia Tuono V4 Price: $16,399

The Tuono V4 is priced quite well, just under $16,500. Of course there is the factory version with more electronics and better components, but for such a copy you have to have almost $ 20,000 on hand. The standard Tuono V4 is more than enough for most people, and since we’re looking for a compromise here, this is the better option.

The Tuono V4 has a unique V4 engine

The Tuono V4 shares its engine with the RSV4 sports bike. This is a 65 degree V4 with a displacement of 1,099 cc, a change that has recently taken place. However, power and torque are less than the sport bike, at 180 horsepower and 89.2 pound-feet. Yes, these numbers are generated quite high in the rev range.

But this is actually lower than the speed at which competitors such as the Ducati Streetfighter V4 generate their torque and power. A by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU combined with the APRC electronics suite means you get every acronym you can think of, including driving modes. A six-speed gearbox with two-way quickshifter is standard.

An aluminum chassis underlies the Tuono V4

Many naked bikes are switching to cheaper, lighter trellis frames because they perform better on the street. However, when you push your motorcycle to its limits, a twin-spar frame can still get the job done better. Aprilia has retained the aluminum twin-spar frame for the Tuono V4, with the aluminum swingarm.

The fully adjustable suspension comes from Sachs, with a 43mm inverted fork offering 4.6 inches of travel, and a rear monoshock with 5.1 inches of travel. The 17-inch alloy wheels have 330mm floating disc brakes at the front with four-piston radial Brembo calipers on them, and a 220mm disc at the rear also with a Brembo caliper. Cornering ABS is a standard feature.

Dimensions of Aprilia Tuono V4

The Tuono V4 is a remarkably compact motorcycle, partly due to the simpler packaging provided by the 65-degree V4 engine, and partly due to its sport-naked intent. Wet, it weighs 465 pounds, which is not too light, but not too heavy either.

An interesting feature set

We’ve already established that the Tuono V4 Factory offers a lot of electronics over the standard Tuono. It is also available in a different black and red color scheme, while the regular version is only available in bright yellow. However, you can add many of the Factory features to the standard Tuono V4 with the optional ‘packs’ that Aprilia offers.

To reiterate, the base Tuono already has the APRC package that includes eight-level traction control, predictive wheelie control, three engine maps, and three-level adjustable engine braking control. The Comfort Pack adds cruise control and adaptive headlights. The Track Pack adds three more driving modes: launch control, a pit lane speed limiter and slide control. It also adds a dashboard layout on the 5-inch TFT display that shows track-relevant data.

The Race Pack turns the Tuono V4 into a real racing tool, with corner-to-corner traction control, wheelie control and engine braking. Because these are activated via the GPS, you also get access to the lap trigger and telemetry. You can mix and match these packages, or add all three to the base Tuono V4 – an unprecedented level of customization.

Aprilia Tuono V4 competition

The Ducati Streetfighter V4 ($23,995), KTM 1390 Super Duke R Evo ($22,149) and MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RS ($24,098) are all too expensive to really be part of this conversation, no matter how good they are. On the other end of the spectrum, Honda and Suzuki both make liter-nakeds, but they are both budget liter-nakeds.

Kawasaki is an enigma because it has both a budget liter naked and a premium liter. The $14,999 Z 1100 fits the description and price, but is too underpowered to be taken seriously. The $21,999 Z H2 has all the power in the world thanks to its supercharged engine, but is too big and heavy to be considered a decent small motorcycle.

That leaves us with two possibilities. The BMW S 1000 R is based on the S 1000 RR. It does away with variable valve timing and also increases power to 170 hp for better torque. However, because it’s an inline-four, the 84 pound-feet of torque is less, and it comes at higher revs than the Aprilia. The $14,745 price is also extremely tempting, but you’ll have to add packages for even a two-way quickshifter, and that will make the price jump over the Aprilia’s.

An almost forgotten liter naked that still has it is the Yamaha MT-10 SP. It costs more than the V4, but that price is all-inclusive. You don’t need to add anything to it because it has the ammunition to fight the Aprilia. It starts with the CP4 crossplane engine, which generates plenty of torque at low and mid-range speeds. It more than makes up for it with Öhlins electronic suspension and Brembo braking components, including a radial master cylinder and radial brake calipers. It also has, just like the Tuono, an aluminum twin spar frame. Racing bike-derived electronics are also standard.

Aprilia Tuono V4 vs Yamaha MT-10 SP

Source: Aprilia USA