Used Review: Aprilia Tuono

Click this link if you want to read Aprilia Tuono owner's opinions.

As a naked sportsbike the Tuono was the real deal. With other nakeds, such as the Hornet 900 and Fazer Thou', you were getting watered-down engines, chassis and cycle parts, but here were all the benefits of a sportsbike but with higher, comfy bars and no lower fairing.

Well, when we say 'comfy', all things are relative. The pegs were still high, the steering lock poor but you did have a small bikini fairing to protect your top half from the elements, even if the bottom half of the bike and that 60-degree V-twin motor were a little exposed.

Launched at the end of 2002, the Tuono ('Thunder' in Italian) was joined by a 'Racing' version for 2003, effectively a Mille R with the same high bars and missing bodywork. With the launch of the 'new' Mille at the end of 2003, it was only a matter of time before a new version of the Tuono followed. And so it did late last year.

Like its predecessor it was simply a stripped naked sports machine. Dead simple. After all, why fix what ain't broke?

Engine


A wonderful sports bike mill, the 60-degree motor arguably has more character than a liquid-cooled Ducati of similar vintage. Unlike the normally linear feel of a twin, the Tuono would give a characterful and noticeable punt up the posterior after the traditional 5000rpm mid-range dip, before climbing up the rev range to post a peak of around 120bhp at the back wheel. Servicing generally takes place every 6000 miles.

Maps/chips


Many owners change these, so ask if the work's been done and why. If the chip has been replaced, ask for the original.

Engine cutting out


Owners have reported engine backfires or the engine actually cutting out when rolling off the throttle. Lots of reasons why the fueling seems so poor at low revs. Solutions offered include a trapped or perished vacuum pipe, or the need to cut the blue wire and green wire on the chip to richen up the fueling. Other prognoses include air leaks around the airbox.

Oil leaks


In general the 60-degree twin-balancer shaft motor is pretty reliable, but some small problems do occur. Some owners complain of small oil leaks - these can be relatively common to all of the Mille/Tuono family. Sometimes after a valve check it is common for the rubber seal under the front cylinder valve cover to get trapped and kinked, leading to a small amount of oil weeping from the problem area. Another common problem is a leaky oil pressure switch, which is located on the front right-hand side near the bottom of the engine. These can let go and cause a full-on oil leak.

Gearing


Tuonos have 17-tooth front sprockets with 42 teeth at the rear. Many owners go the route of lowering the gearing, with 16- or even 15-tooth front sprockets popular, or 44-tooth rears. A new front sprocket costs around £20 and takes just over an hour to fit.

Coolant leaks


A few cases have been reported of leaking coolant header caps. Apparently this was traced to the incorrect tank cap being fitted at the factory.

Clutch/neutral light woes.


Neutral can be hard to find on the Tuono (and Milles) as the clutch can drag. Gently rolling the bike forward can help 'snick' it into neutral. Sometimes the hydraulic clutch itself may need bleeding.

Suspension


Basic Tuonos had Showa forks, but if you have the Ohlins-equipped 'Racing' version, do look out for any weeping from the fork seals. Sometimes dirt can get trapped in the seals and cause a small leak. Check with a clean, dry rag after pumping up and down on the suspension.

Brakes


Pretty good on all Tuono models. The latest 2006 machines benefit from radial calipers, while the trick '03-'04 Racing model had Goldline Brembos.

Waiting for parts


A notorious problem. One expectent '06 Tuono owner ordered the bike in May and was promised it in 10 working days, only to find more than two months had gone by before he received the machine. Another owner of an older model waited three months for a sprag clutch to turn up at the dealer. Not good enough, Aprilia.

Finish


Generally very good. The Mille in 1999 introduced a much-improved quality of finish on Aprilias and this carried on with the Tuono.

Comfort


Pretty good, but not in the same league as other softer, easier to ride naked 1000s such as the Fazer and Hornet.

Handling


Like early Milles, the Tuono feels slightly top-heavy or tall. Don't worry, they handle great, but may take some getting used to.

Sidestands


Notoriously short. Many owners report that sometimes they can actually bend. The angle is also a little steep leaving the top-heavy Tuono in danger of toppling. Best bet is to by some sidestand angle adjuster plates from somewhere like www.rsvr.net

Tyres


Most Italian sports machines and owners have an affinity with Pirellis and the Tuono is no exception. Also consider Avon Azaros and Conti Sport Attacks - both are recommended by owners.

Rear brake discs


Some owners fit wavy rear discs to their Tuonos, only to find that the speedo doesn't work afterwards. This is because the aftermarket discs have different bolts and therefore the rotation isn't picked up by the speedo drive. Check to make sure rear discs are standard.

Aftermarket parts


Loud pipes and end cans abound. Do make sure thaxt originals have been kept and ask what chips or maps the bike currently has.

Used values


Robust, early Tuonos start around £3500.

Recalls


In Feb 2003 a recall was issued when it was found that the wrong valve springs may have been fitted to some bikes. In 2006 another recall was issued for the latest Tuono to sort out a potentially dodgy connecting link on final drive chains. That is all.

SECOND-HAND VALUES


All our second-hand prices are sourced from trade and private ads in a variety of 'real-world' publications. Read it, believe it!

Aprilia Tuono Fighter (2003-2005)


Colours: Red, silver, black


Price new: £7599 (2003)


Price now: £3995-£6300


Comments: The base-model Tuono was essentially a naked Mille. No changes to the motor or chassiscomponents. Showa forks and a full-on Mille motor with around 120bhp at the rear wheel.

Aprilia RSV Tuono Racing (2003-2004)


Colours: Black/orange


Price new: £11,399 (2002)


Price now: £6000-£8000


Comments: The Racing is simply a stripped-down Mille-R. It came with a host of extras such as …hlins forks, steering damper and shock, and lightweight OZ wheels

Aprilia Tuono Factory 1000 (2006)


Colours: Flouro red, grey or black


Price new: £7999


Price now: £7500-£7999


Comments: Why change a winning formula? Aprilia haven't, so the new Tuono is a naked version of the 'new' late-2003-on Mille. With 133bhp, radial caliper brakes etc.

As a naked sportsbike the Tuono was the real deal. With other nakeds, such as the Hornet 900 and Fazer Thou', you were getting watered-down engines, chassis and cycle parts, but here were all the benefits of a sportsbike but with higher, comfy bars and no lower fairing.

Well, when we say 'comfy', all things are relative. The pegs were still high, the steering lock poor but you did have a small bikini fairing to protect your top half from the elements, even if the bottom half of the bike and that 60-degree V-twin motor were a little exposed.

Launched at the end of 2002, the Tuono ('Thunder' in Italian) was joined by a 'Racing' version for 2003,
effectively a Mille R with the same high bars and missing bodywork. With the launch of the 'new' Mille at the end of 2003, it was only a matter of time before a new version of the Tuono followed. And so it did late last year.

Like its predecessor it was simply a stripped naked sports machine. Dead simple. After all, why fix what ain't broke?

1. Engine A wonderful sports bike mill, the 60-degree motor arguably has more character than a liquid-cooled Ducati of similar vintage. Unlike the normally linear feel of a twin, the Tuono would give a characterful and noticeable punt up the posterior after the traditional 5000rpm mid-range dip, before climbing up the rev range to post a peak of around 120bhp at the back wheel. Servicing generally takes place every 6000 miles.

2. Maps/chips Many owners change these, so ask if the work's been done and why. If the chip has been replaced, ask for the original.

3. Engine cutting out Owners have reported engine backfires or the engine actually cutting out when rolling off the throttle. Lots of reasons why the fueling seems so poor at low revs. Solutions offered include a trapped or perished vacuum pipe, or the need to cut the blue wire and green wire on the chip to richen up the fueling. Other prognoses include air leaks around the airbox.

4. Oil leaks In general the 60-degree twin-balancer shaft motor is pretty reliable, but some small problems do occur. Some owners complain of small oil leaks - these can be relatively common to all of the Mille/Tuono family. Sometimes after a valve check it is common for the rubber seal under the front cylinder valve cover to get trapped and kinked, leading to a small amount of oil weeping from the problem area. Another common problem is a leaky oil pressure switch, which is located on the front right-hand side near the bottom of the engine. These can let go and cause a full-on oil leak.

5. Gearing Tuonos have 17-tooth front sprockets with 42 teeth at the rear. Many owners go the route of lowering the gearing, with 16- or even 15-tooth front sprockets popular, or 44-tooth rears. A new front sprocket costs around £20 and takes just over an hour to fit.

6. Coolant leaks A few cases have been reported of leaking coolant header caps. Apparently this was traced to the incorrect tank cap being fitted at the factory.

7. Clutch/neutral light woes Neutral can be hard to find on the Tuono (and Milles) as the clutch can drag. Gently rolling the bike forward can help 'snick' it into neutral. Sometimes the hydraulic clutch itself may need bleeding.

8. Suspension Basic Tuonos had Showa forks, but if you have the …hlins-equipped 'Racing' version, do look out for any weeping from the fork seals. Sometimes dirt can get trapped in the seals and cause a small leak. Check with a clean, dry rag after pumping up and down on the suspension.