Please also see Hot Deals for lower-priced offerings. Many of our demos have been recently added. These are all bikes that have never been sold or titled and therefore get their full warranty beginning when purchased.
 

My Take, by Dave Richardson

I wondered why we needed a V4 with another 28 horsepower when our V-twin Tuono was so good.

But this bike is about much more than horsepressure. For one, the V4 is a more congenial engine than the V-twin. So as well as making more power, it’s happier when just bopping around town (and the clutch is a much lighter pull as well).

The V4 is also lighter steering due to weight centralization borrowed from the RSV4. Aprilia was an early advocate of designing engines with weight location in mind. First Yamaha introduced the R1with its stacked transmission to optimize the inline four, then Aprilia came out with their 60º twin to be more compact with more weight forward. Plus, like the Japanese twins & fours, the RSV had a modern plain bearing crank, a wet slipper clutch, and chain-driven double-overhead cams driving 4 valves per cylinder with shim-under-bucket that almost never needed adjustment.

When Aprilia progressed from their V-twin, they decided to build a 65º V4. This engine would be a powerful four but with its weight positioned very much like the RSV twin. But better yet, being hardly wider, and shorter top-to-bottom, the engine’s weight would be even closer to the bike’s roll center for easier steering.

Also making it superior to the old V-twin, the Tuono V4 comes with the same electronics package as the RSV4: launch control to maximize acceleration at the drop of a start flag, wheelie control to adjust the amount the front wheel is allowed to loft, a quick shifter to eliminate the need to clutch and roll off the throttle under race conditions, and traction control to prevent acceleration from overwhelming traction exiting a corner. Unlike some, the traction control can be adjusted on the fly using convenient paddle shifters (You don’t have to stop and access some awkward dashboard menu) and can be uniquely calibrated to your chosen rear tire; it’s not just designed to work with one or selected rear tires (OK, for this you do have to find the right menu).  

The Tuono V4 has ride-by-wire fuel injection for fast response that’s switchable through 3 modes. And this is no Italian nightmare for maintenance. It’s water cooled and the dual overhead cams per cylinder bank are driven by chains with self-adjusting tensioners. There are no fragile belts that require frequent replacement and manual adjustment. The valves are supposed to be checked for adjustment every 12,000 miles, but this hardly seems necessary, as we’ve never seen a valve out of adjustment on an Aprilia V4 engine. The oil & filter are supposed to be renewed every 6,000 miles in normal use.

The factory warranty is two years with unlimited miles. As for durability, one of our customers ran into a guy on his second Aprilia V4; he ran the first one 80,000 miles.

Starting in 2013 came some improvements. The gas tank got bigger and a slimmer shape. But probably most stellar was a take-away: the MSRP was reduced $1000! For 2014 the tank got bigger again and adjustable ABS was added to minimize skidding under braking. Price was increased $500, so the 2014 with ABS is still cheaper than the 2012 without ABS. The bike was made more congenial on the street with a more comfortable seat and more compliant suspension. And the traction control now better accommodates speed variations, making it as useful on the street as on the track.

In all, this third-generation Tuono is quite the leap forward: more power, better around town, V4 engine, ride-by-wire, traction control, ABS, and only $1500 more than it was a decade ago. The 2013s are still available, and now at a reduced price. It’s easy to see why it was chosen as Cycle World’s 2013 Sportbike of the Year and Motorcyclist’s 2013 Sport Naked of the Year. This is the one. 

Ciao,

Dave Richardson

• Engine: Aprilia longitudinal 65° V-4 cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooling system, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder

• Fuel: Unleaded petrol

• Bore x Stroke: 78 x 52.3 mm

• Total displacement: 999.6 cc

• Compression ratio: 13:1

• Maximum power at the crank: 170 CV (125 kW) a 11.500 rpm

• Maximum torque at the crank: 111.5 Nm a 9.500 rpm

• Fuel system: Airbox with front dynamic air intakes. 4 Weber-Marelli 48-mm throttle bodies with 4 injectors and latest generation Ride-by-Wire engine management. Choice of three different engine maps selectable by the rider with bike in motion: T (Track), S (Sport), R (Road)

• Ignition: Magneti Marelli digital electronic ignition system integrated in engine control system, with one spark plug per cylinder and “stick-coil” type coils

• Starting: Electric

• Exhaust: 4 into 2 into 1 layout, single oxygen sensor, lateral single silencer with ECU-controlled bypass valve and integrated trivalent catalytic converter (Euro 3)

• Generator: Flywheel mounted 420W alternator with rare earth magnets

• Lubrification: Wet sump lubrication system with oil radiator and two oil pumps (lubrication and cooling)

• Gear box: 6-speed cassette type gearbox 1st: 39/15 (2,600) 2nd: 33/16 (2.063) 3rd: 34/20 (1,700) 4th: 32/22 (1,455) 5th: 34/26 (1,308) 6th: 33/27 (1,222) Gear lever with Aprilia Quick Shift electronic system (AQS)

• Clutch: Multiplate wet clutch

• Primary drive: Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, drive ratio: 73/44 (1,659)

• Final drive: Chain: Drive ratio: 42/16 (2,625)

• Frame: Aluminium dual beam chassis with pressed and cast sheet elements. Sachs steering damper.

• Front suspension: Sachs upside-down “one by one” fork, stanchions diam. 43 mm. Forged aluminium feet for radial calliper mounting. Completely adjustable spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. Wheel travel: 120 mm

• Rear suspension: Double braced aluminium swingarm; mixed low thickness and sheet casting technology. Sachs piggy back monoshock with completely adjustable: spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound damping. APS progressive linkage. Wheel travel: 130 mm

• Brakes: Front: Dual 320 mm floating stainless steel discs with lightweight stainless steel rotor with 6 studs. Brembo monobloc radial callipers M432 with 4 horizontally opposed 32 mm diam. pistons. Sintered pads. Axial pump master cylinder and metal braided brake hoses. Rear: 220 mm diameter disc; Brembo floating calliper with two 32-mm diam. isolated pistons. Sintered pads. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose. ABS Bosch 9MP, adjustable on 3 maps, featuring RLM strategy and disconnectable.

• Wheels: Cast aluminium wheels with 3 split spoke design. Front.:3.5”X17” Rear:6.00”X17”

• Tyres: Radial tubeless. Front: 120/70 ZR 17 Rear: 190/55 ZR 17 (alternative: 190/50 ZR 17; 200/55 ZR 17)

• Dimensions: Max. length: 2065 mm Max. width: 800 mm (at the handlebar) Max. height: 1090 mm Min. height from the ground: 125 mm Saddle height: 835 mm Wheelbase: 1445 mm Trail: 107.5 mm Steering angle:25°

• Dry weight: 185 kg *

• Fuel tank capacity: 18.5 litres (4-litre reserve included)

Tuono V4 R ABS is the heir of an absolute sporty naked tradition, born from an innovative idea in 2002 that found its initial great expression in the lethal Tuono 1000 R, the first true high performance naked, closely derived from RSV mille, the super two cylinder bike among the most loved and wanted by sporty motorcyclists of the new millennium. And this is what Aprilia Tuono has always been: a superbike with high handlebar, unbeatable on the track and such fun on the road.
The Tuono project has followed this same path also in 2011, the year of the radical change. In fact, in 2009 Aprilia revolutionizes the superbike segment, introducing the innovative and unique RSV4 which from then had always been the benchmark of sports bikes, capable of winning four titles in the selective SBK world championship. In 2011, in line with tradition, Tuono V4 R arrives, the direct off shoot of the unbeatable RSV4: it is the most powerful, technological and sophisticated naked that has ever been made, the most thrilling, bad and incisive ever seen before, dedicated to the most integral lover looking for a bike that simply embodies "excellence" in all its forms. The only one in the segment that can fight and win against the most awarded faired rivals on the track with all the comfort and fun that a high handlebar allows, thanks its excellent chassis, the power of the more than 167 HP V4 engine and the unequalled aPRC electronic control package.
The know-how acquired in years of winning competitions at maximum levels has meant that Aprilia can go even further: the new Tuono V4 R ABS has an even greater performance, is more fun, incisive and safe. Available in just the one version with the best of applicable electronics as a standard feature and in two different colors (black or white), the new Tuono V4 R ABS lifts the sports measuring rod up a notch while still being even more comfortable for riding on the road.

The evolution of the superbike with the high handlebar

Tuono V4 R ABS, the heir of the motorbike elected by trade press at global level as the most exciting, incisive and fun naked ever, reaching performance and sophistication levels never seen before. Not only does it boast all the important updates successfully introduced at the beginning of 2013 on RSV4 Factory ABS and RSV4 R ABS but it also has a new saddle and standard suspension setup (fully adjustable) reviewed for increased comfort on the road. The aim is to increase sports performance without sacrificing comfort when riding along a road: this aspect is ever more important for those who use the bike for daily purposes. This is why the seat has gained extra padding while the standard calibration of the suspension now better absorbs the irregularities of public roads. This has done nothing to stop the ample possibilities of customization, to have maximum rigor and precision in a truly riding-cum-racing experience. Even the on-board ergonomics have changed, thanks to the arrival of the new increased capacity tank now holding 18.5 liters and the side panels redesigned in their shape to give the rider a better feeling when going around bends and braking.

State of the art

It's quite likely that no other naked exists that's as sporty and bad as Tuono V4; its close origins with the bike that won the SBK world championship four times are more than obvious in its twin spar frame made with cast and pressed elements in brushed aluminum, a structure with an excellent balance between torsional and flexional rigidity that envelopes the 65° V4 engine, proudly left in full view. The same construction technology used for the frame has also been used for the swingarm. A state of the art chassis, already highly appreciated on the previous version which is why it is used, as is, on Tuono V4 R ABS.
The suspension has been selected to make this Aprilia the best naked for the track without compromising comfort when riding on the road. The new 43 mm upside down Sachs fork has separate "one by one" hydraulic compression and rebound adjustments besides having the settings of the spring preload on both stanchions. The standard setup has been redefined to ensure a more comfortable response on open public roads. The Sachs damper with built-in piggy back allows hydraulic adjustments in compression and rebound not to mention spring preload adjustments. Even its basic calibration takes into greater consideration the use of the bike on the road.

Absolute electronics

Tuono V4 R ABS receives the important updates and tuning of the already exceptional aPRC, that made their debut at the opening of 2013 on RSV4 Factory ABS and RSV4 R ABS.
As known, aPRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) is the patented control system package derived directly from the winning technology used in the SuperBike world championship, the most complete and refined among those currently in the market, the only one that has the exclusive self-calibrating tire circumference function and wheelie control. aPRC, a standard feature on the new Tuono V4 R ABS, integrates better still with the fine full Ride by Wire multimap electronic management of the powerful V4 engine. As it did before, it benefits from a specific calibration for the requirements of Tuono V4 but has been improved upon and refined even more to find maximum enjoyment on the road and maximum performance on the track.

The new aPRC used on Tuono V4 R ABS comprises:
aTC: Aprilia Traction Control, the traction control system that can be adjusted on the fly, without closing the throttle, to 8 levels thanks to a practical joystick on the left handlebar, gains even higher performing and refined operating logic. Now the allowed percentage of skidding also differs according to the speed round a bend: The behavior of the system is even more uniform and guarantees a high level of support in turns at high speed without penalizing traction coming out of slow turns.
 

aWC: Aprilia Wheelie Control with 3 settings, has been recalibrated to be even more sporty in map 1, while guaranteeing wheelying in high accelerations followed by a softer touch of the front wheel on the ground;

aLC: Aprilia Launch Control, for use on the track only, with 3 settings;
aQS: Aprilia Quick Shift, a system for extremely fast gear shifting without shutting the throttle and using the clutch.

Besides the second generation aPRC, Tuono V4 R ABS is also fitted with a highly technological ABS, the anti-lock wheel system designed to guarantee maximum safety on the road without diminishing performance on the track in any way. The ABS 9MP unit, developed in collaboration with Bosch, constitutes the maximum point of distinction and technology available today. The system, weighing a mere 2 kg, adopts an intervention strategy called RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation) that limits wheelying of the rear wheel when braking sharply. In addition it can be disconnected and adjusted on 3 settings by easily accessing the instrument's control menu:

Level 1 Track: it is dedicated to the track but is still always type approved for road use. It acts on both wheels and guarantees maximum possible performance even when braking sharply at any speed. This setting takes nothing away from the pleasure and performance of “pushing the envelope”. With this strategy the RLM is deactivated.
Level 2 Sport: it is dedicated to sporty riding on roads, it acts on both wheels and is combined with the tip over system RLM whose intervention is progressive based on vehicle speed.
Level 3 Rain: dedicated to riding on surfaces with poor grip, it acts on both wheels and is combined with the advanced tip over system.
Each of these three ABS mappings can be combined with any of the three engine maps (Track, Sport, Road), in order to allow riders with different experience and skill levels to find the best possible combination for their style.

Tuono V4 R ABS gains a new front braking system with brand new radial mounted monoblock calipers Brembo M432 and 320 mm steel discs with reduced height braking tracks and asymmetrical perforation resulting in a more modulated braking power.

A racing engine

Tuono V4 R is the only naked driven by a V 65° four-cylinder engine with unique characteristics. The narrow V architecture has made it possible to make an engine that is extremely compact lengthways which helps to centralize weights and to have a compact chassis. The monoblock aluminum crankcase with integrated cylinder liners ensures maximum rigidity and consistent performance. The gearbox is extractable with wet sump lubrication with oil in the crankcase. Timing adopts innovative kinematics: the chain only moves the intake camshaft that returns motion to the exhaust camshaft by means of a single gear. With this solution we can have highly compact big ends, especially where the frame spars pass which, as a result, are exceptionally tapered. A countershaft dampens the vibrations even more than in the 90° V engine.

Full Ride by Wire eliminates any direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are entirely controlled by a latest generation Marelli control unit that also controls ignition and the four injectors. Each bank is powered by two throttle bodies controlled by a dedicated servomotor. This means that the aperture of the throttle valves and, as a consequence, the quantity of fuel injected, can be controlled independently. A solution that opens up practically infinite possibilities for power delivery control and works hand in hand with the aPRC system.

Performance increases
The Tuono V4 R ABS engine, equivalent to that of the RSV4 ABS MY 13, has been updated and improved, paying particular attention to reducing internal friction and sump ventilation. Both maximum power and maximum torque increase which at present are 170 HP at 11,500 rpm and 111.5 Nm at 9,500 rpm which is also thanks to a redesigned exhaust system and highly tuned electronic management. The three mappings (Track, Sport and Road), were matched to the new power and torque specifications of the V4 in order to obtain an even fuller and richer power output at any engine speed.
Compared to the RSV4 ABS MY 13 engine, the unit installed on Tuono V4 R ABS boasts some rather particular characteristics:

• Revised timing system
• Fixed intake ducts now 20 mm longer.
• Crankshaft flywheel with increased inertia for improved smoothness and overall balance.
• Shorter ratios in the first three gears
• Maximum power dropped to 11,500 rpm
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