The much anticipated Aprilia Tuono V4R was unveiled at the 2010 EICMA show in Milan and is planned for arrival in the United States at the end of 2011. As the name implies, the Tuono V4R is powered by Aprilia’s V4 65-degree engine that churns out a claimed 162 horsepower. Aprilia is not shy about singing the Tuono praises, calling it the “fiercest naked ever seen” and “a bike that goes beyond the wildest dreams of even the most hardcore enthusiasts.”
The Tuono’s power was obtained by reconfiguring the engine from the RSV4 Factory APRC SE. Also inherited from the RSV4 SE is the new exhaust system with bypass valve, which is about 4.5 pounds lighter than the system on the RSV4 R, as well as the latest generation ride-by-wire throttle control.
According to Aprilia, the main differences from its race track sibling are closer spacing between the three first gear ratios and a maximum torque 81 ft-lbs on tap 1000 rpm lower.
Unique to the Tuono is the aerodynamic new top fairing tipped with two polyelliptical headlights. Aprilai says this gives the bike “the unequivocally mean, daunting stare that you'd expect from a machine with an incredible 162 horsepower.”
Tuono riders will also be able to take advantage of APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control). This is the second generation of Aprilia’s electronic dynamics control package. APRC is based on an automotive inertia sensor platform, with two gyrometers and two accelerometers allowing the ECU to determine the dynamic state of the motorcycle and control engine torque accordingly.
The APRC package includes ATC (Aprilia Traction Control), with eight selectable levels, which controls sliding when accelerating out of a curve in relation to bank angle and throttle aperture, AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), which helps the rider control extreme wheelying by gradually bringing the front wheel back to the ground, and AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift), which allows instantaneous upshifts without closing the throttle or using the clutch. Completing the suite of four functions is ALC (Aprilia Launch Control).
Other features on the Truno V4R include: Brembo brake system with radial callipers and 320 mm floating discs at the front (220 mm at the rear), aluminum wheels with an all-new design weighing about 4.5 pounds less than those on the RSV4 R, Sachs upside down front fork with stanchions coated with titanium nitride for reduced friction, and Sachs shock absorber with separate piggy back nitrogen canister featuring adjustable spring preload, compression and rebound damping and length.
