Published on Tuesday 21 May 2013 11:27
What's It All About?
The Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC ups the ante for naked sports bikes. Designed by the legendary Miguel Angel Galluzzi, its superb aluminium cast frame and rasping engine, all borrowed and modified from the RSV4, make this Aprilia the naked sports bike of choice for many. Its state of the art technology for engine, electronics and chassis, coupled with extraordinary usability, will no doubt make the Tuono V4R APRC the perfect companion for the rider who wants a road bike that will also have the capability to thrill on the track at weekends.
What Does It Cost?
The basic Aprilia Tuono V4R costs £11,730 which does not include Aprilia's APRC electronics package. This wonder feature includes eight-level traction control, three level 'wheelie' control, three-level launch control and an adaptive quickshifter. At an extra £1,000 it is not cheap but it does have the advantage of allowing riders to select the most appropriate settings for the road or track conditions as well as their own levels of riding skill.
How Does It Handle?
Although based heavily on the RSV4, the riding dynamic is subtlety different due to a lower centre of gravity and longer wheelbase courtesy of the redesigned frame and headstock. The frame is a master piece of technology being exposed and made with cast and pressed elements in line with Aprilia's tradition. It boasts a high level of torsional and bending rigidity, for perfect control when entering a long turn. Even the swing-arm, born from Aprilia's experience in competitions, is a rigid and ultra-light mix of cast and pressed aluminium elements.
The electronic management system is an example of the engine's overall technological supremacy. The Tuono V4R APCR features full Ride-by-Wire technology eliminating any direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are entirely controlled by the latest Marelli control unit that also controls the ignition and the 8 injectors.
The Aprilia Tuono V4R APCR features Sachs front forks and a Sachs monoshock at the rear. This suspension setup provides an assured performance in all situations and offers the rider plenty of feedback through the handlebars. The brakes are Brembo with four-piston callipers at the front and two-piston callipers on the rear.
Verdict
The 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R APCR has set the track standard for the naked sportsbike rulebook. If you can afford the extra £1,000 for this model with its amazing electronic package then this is the one to go for. It may not be the most comfortable naked for around town and the daily commute but on the track it is peerless. Even without it though, the Tuono V4R is an incredible piece of design and packaging that creates a truly impressive naked track sportsbike.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
BIKE: Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC
PRICE: £11,730, (£12,730 with APRC)
ENGINE: 1,000cc 16v liquid-cooled, 65 degree V4, dohc four-stroke
WEIGHT: 183kg
SEAT HIEGHT: 835mm
POWER: 150bhp at 11,600 rpm
TANK SIZE: 17 litres
22nd November 2012
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