APRILIA TUONO 1000 (2003 - 2011) Review

Version: Factory

Year: 2006

Animal disguised as motorcycle

Buying experience: Dealer (rating: average). Price was right 9 yrs ago and I’d get that price now (but he’s a keeper - lurve!)

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £200

Best feature is the engine - no debate.Worst feature is harder to state - possibly vulnerable radiators and oil cooler and rear brake cylinder positioning.

Buying experience: Bought the bike from Carl Harrison Motorcycles. The second bike I've bought there. Has serviced what I ride for years. Excellent after sales service. Think I paid £3,900.

Version: Rr

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £300

Sports bike performance in a naked, stinking brakes, excellent handling and an absolute v twin beast. Worst feature was the rear brake sleeve, I kept losing the rear brake every 1000 mile due to air materialising in the slave as positioned parallel to the ground. Swapped the rear sets to reposition the slave vertically so all good now.

Buying experience: Advertised at £4500 , as I travelled 380 miles to purchase the private seller agreed £4000 over the phone before I had even seen the bike and insisted I wouldn’t be disappointed, which I was not.

Version: Fighter in Magnet Grey and Gold

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £100

Bought it 12 years ago, quite reluctantly after driving Firestorms for 6 years. It ticked all the boxes on paper, but I found it a hideous bike at the time. Test drove it and wasn't impressed at all, but bought it anyway. "Give it time". After changing the squared off Pirelli's for MPP 2CT's my life completely changed. Rode it for the next 12 years and was gutted when I crashed beyond repair last September. Replaced by a V4r... maybe even more reluctant. The 2002-2005 Tuono is the best road bike ever imo.

Version: Gen 1

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £750

Can be a little flighty under hard acceleration. Wide bars exaggerate rider input and are tiring in less than perfect weather conditions. Throaty roar and comfortable for touring though 200km will drain the tank. Very smooth with little or no vibrations.

Buying experience: Long in the tooth now so hard to find in tip top condition. Look out for wear and tear consistent with excessive wheelies. An excellent choice for older guys looking for something more upright and a little different. Overall a very comfortable machine to ride with kudos points for Italian cool. Not as simple to live with as a Japanese equivalent.

Version: FIGHTER

Year: 2005

Annual servicing cost: £300

All the bike I ever wanted

Buying experience: Part exed by Sprint

Version: 2008

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £500

I would have given it 5 out of 5, were it not for starter problems. Other than that, it's a great ride - every time you ride it, it puts a smile on your face. The handling, braking, steering, the barking mad engine... it's just a great ride. It's also comfortable

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. It only had 3500 kms on it. I saved about Australian $5000 on new price

Version: 2008

Year: 2008

Annual servicing cost: £500

Would have 5 out 5 except for starter problems. Other than that, it's a great ride. Every time you ride it, it puts a smile on your face: the handling, braking, steering, the barking mad engine just make a great ride. It's also comfortable.

Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. It only had 3500 kms on it, so I saved about $5000 on new price

Version: 1000 R

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £400

Have owned a Honda SP1 and the Aprilia 1000R 2007 beats it! Can cruise for miles or be a ferocious animal

Buying experience: From Wheels in Peterborough - Great service

Year: 2008

For the money, if you want a naked sports there is no other bike to compare to.

Year: 2008

Been on only Harley-Davidsons since riding, so over 10 years now. Trouble is my biking circle has expanded and a few are on sport/naked bikes, and my poor Roadking was being "thrashed" to keep pace. Wanted something that was a V-twin, exotic, easy to transition (as keeping the H-D) and fun. This bike does not fail to deliver on all fronts, ive had it 4 days now and put over 500miles on it, ive not even scratched the surface on what it can do, but whilst im learning its abilities and mine the smile in my helmet goes from ear to ear. I look forward to my commute back and forth to work, go the long way around and find any excuse to take her for a spin after tea! I would recommend this to any rider who was looking to for-fill the same criteria as me. Love it!

Year: 2003

Annual servicing cost: £200

Perfect bike in my opinion. Great on the roads due to the more upward riding position compared to sports bikes. Still great on the track as well because of the amazing frame and suspension, not to mention the engine. If you take proper care of the bike and do some mods to the electrical system reliability is very good as well. I've owned the bike for two years now, but still get excited every time I start the bike and go for a ride. Really love this hooligan machine!

Buying experience: Bought the bike for 3200 euros 2 years ago (2014). Came with an extra set of wheels and some upgraded parts however.

Version: Factory

Year: 2009

I have had literally hundreds of bikes over the last 31 years of riding but this is by far the best bike. It is similar to the RSV I had a few years ago but so much more comfortable and easier to ride. MCN call it a mad bike to ride but only if you want it to be, it can also commute and tour really well. I get 41 MPG and that is riding it at 8/10 most of the time. The power is great, the handling amazing and unlike so many bikes that just seem to be getting smaller and smaller it actually fits a grown up!

Version: 1000r

Year: 2011

Annual servicing cost: £150

I started biking again around 3 years ago and started off with a bandit 650, which are great by the way and after a year i wanted bigger so i purchased a CB1300, stunning but heavy, then honda cb1000r, lovely bike but a bit boring, then z1000 daf, cracking bike but forever screeming, then yamaha fz1n, very underrated bike but all the while i wanted an aprilia tuono 1000r but was too afraid, high servicing cost, reliability, poor build etc etc, please ignore all of it, the tuono r will put a smile on your face so big people will think you've had a stroke, they are fantastic in every way, well 95%, they hate going slow ie filtering and thats all. ride safe all

Version: 1000R

Year: 2009

Annual servicing cost: £120

The bikes best features are the sheer torque and soundtrack. This is an incredible machine, how a twin such as this can pull away with the speed of a high powered in line-four is mind boggling. Instant throttle response! The white one's look the best, so that is the one I went for - its highly visible and great when you rumble into a bike meet - this bike always seems to gather interest.

Buying experience: Dealer. £5800

Huge grin factor is deliverwed every time I ride it. I've riden and owned everything from a KR-1 to a ZZR1100 and ZXR750RR, with NC30s Yamaha TRX 850s thrown in, but this has to be one of the most fun bikes I've ridden in 30 years of riding. It goes like stink, stops and turns beautifully for such a large looking bike and is comfy on longer jaunts, thanks to high bars and a good seat. I can't really think of anything I'd change on it, as it came with a fruity Akropovic pipe when i bought it. It's done over 21K since 2005, but paint looks new and corrsion is almost non-exsistant. It's stunning second-hand buy, with lots of bike for the money.

The best transition from a sports bike and radically different with the V60 twin. I love the bike for performance, comfort and handling. Great engine braking and low down torque.

had an 08 fireblade and loved it but got sick of aching wrists bought a new tuono and have done 1200 miles so far and love everything about it handling performance and best of all the sound from the akros also finish nearly up to honda standards try one you wont be disappointed

ive had bikes since i was 16 from a honda st 50 monkey bike to a gsxr 1000 k7 and i must say that my 06 tuono is one of the most fun i ever had its does everything you want and more it just inspires conferdence in your riding its goes where you put it the feedback from this bike is 10/10 and the sound is too i would recommend this bike to any biker out there try one and see you will not be dissapointed

Bought a 2007 one and have been simply amazed by the Tuono's speed, handling, comfort & quality. I own a Fireblade as well and the Tuono handles as well and gives an incredible feeling of confidence. Also the quality of the bike seems as good as Hondas. If you like quick bikes, go test ride one before they are all gone and I bet you will love it. Roll on the V4 version.

overall package makes perfect sense on the road. geared it down and tweaked the suspension,everything else was just perfect. great riding position,excellent brakes, standard equipment on the factory defies logic ohlins oz brembo and oodles of carbon the bike just makes perfect sense.power where you need it and comfort for all day or intercontinental riding. one small issue that when geared down for more midrange and low down power the tank range when pushed on would be less than 100 miles, but more than 100 smiles..worthy mod buy one you wont regret it..

In the last year I've owned five bikes, the last bike that came anywhere near this bike was a superduke but some robbing barsteward nicked it. This bike is awesome especially with Akros and 15T front sprocket its a wheelie machine ( I would imagine ) The build quality is far better than the Speed Triple I owned before. I'm yet to experience Aprilia aftersales, be aware the first service is extremely expensive as all valve clearances etc need to be adjusted. Its really nice to ride something a little different to all the Jap inline fours around. It might look like a parts bin special but I love it.

When looking for a new big bike my wish list was simple, I wanted a bike that was comfortable to ride everyday, not a Jap but an Italian v-twin with personality, at a good price and most of all arm stretching blistering fast, the Tuono R1000 2006 onwards is the best and maddest Naked bike in around and with my Carbon Arrows will put plenty super bikes to shame.

After the bike-a-year program for the last 6 years, I've finally found my ride. Having ridden sportbikes for ages, I wasn't keen on having a standard bike that had been neutered or "tuned for torque" nonsense. Thank God Aprilia left this motor alone, and didn't water down what is a fantastic bike. Brakes are awesome, frame is well suspended and stiff. A perfect package.

What a piece of kit! Could'nt find a good enough bike to replace my Fazer 1000cc until the Tuono came along. Very comfortable and quick. Great Value

This it a test

Everything you could ever want,all in a good looking package.The handling is fantastic,the power great,and with a double bubble fitted high speeds are attainable in all probably the best all round bike i have ever owned

This is an awsome bike with great handling and an excellent engine. I bought the 2003 racing version, after saying goodbye to my GSXR 600k5. Another good bike but was so good it was boring (in the end found myself riding every where at >12000 rpm so it had to go as i like my licience and need it for work) With this bike you have power the whole way through the rev range and dont have to bounce it of the limiter to get anywhere. Corner exit drive is unreal. Suspension is great, making the most bumpy roads seem flat. Comfort is also great with wind blast only getting bad at 120mph or so. Only drawbacks are: Tyre life and if being picky could do with more tank range.

It looks fantastic and the attention to detail is superb. I have passers by asking me to start it when I'm parked up! It's as easy to ride as my zx6-r as long as you're carefull with the throttle. The riding position is brilliant for 6 footers with more leg room and a reach to the bars. Leaves you very prone though, 100+ mph for any time gets your neck (but then thats a distinct advantage in my book!) Loves to lift the front wheel in most gears. Brakes are superb and offer a lot of feedback as does the suspension. I thought it was rock hard at first but it has a magical way of smoothing out bumps as if they weren't there that my previous jap bikes haven't done. Does not like poor surfaces though - may be the std D208s. Cheap to insure for the performance, good lights. Fit open cans and there's a second map on the ECU waiting to be dialed in by your dealer. Mine came with an additional smaller front sproket as a standard accessory! Strengths: Looks, value, engine, power delivery, handling, brakes and suspension. Riding position for taller riders. Keep your licence on the motorway. Weaknesses: Tyre wear, fuel consumption, valve service every other time (although now 6000 mile intervals.) Need a hack for the winter as I don't want to let her near salt.

Bought this bike to replace my ZX9R and am I glad I did. The power, looks and above all value for money is exceptional. Comes with all the bits and is more of a bike than I'll ever need. The day after I got it I went to the MotoGP at Assen, round the Nurburgring in Germany and then to Antwerp before returning to England and it never missed a beat. Can't fault the comfort or reliability of the bike (then again it is brand new). Buy one, or at least ride one, you won't be disappointed. Strengths: Looks, standard parts, engine, reliability and the way it makes you smile when you ride it!! Weaknesses: My friend has the 2006 Tuono and it eats tyres so I'm expecting mine to do the same. Fuel economy isn't good but thats not why I bought it!!

You can spend years looking for the right bike, one that can do just about anything you ask of it. Well I think that the Tuono has it all and then some !! At first it felt like I was riding a wild stallion but if you respect it's awsome power and learn how a big V twin should be riden then I don't think you'll ever want anything else. I bought mine second hand and the bloke I bought it off was nearly in tears when I picked it up. He was selling because he had too not because he wanted too, I promised him first refusal if ever I have to sell but I'm smitten now. I'm not one for top end speed but this bike has everything, the only reservation I had when I had a test ride on it was that it physically felt like a smaller bike but you only have to open the throttle a bit to make you feel different, It has two arrow cans on it and they sound like thunder!!! Strengths: Italian styling,awsome power, fantastic riding position, and looks you'll never get tired of. Weaknesses: It's not British!!

Bought as a second bike to complement my race bike. Couldn't settle for a detuned Faclo, knowing how I am like on the road. This bike more than delivers. Italian design but with well tested reliability. Do not fall into the misconception that you are growing up by trading in your R1, Blade, Gixer to get this bike! You don't need 150mph+ to be having fun. Strengths: Looks, performance, comfort (against a sports bike), corner drive, exclusivity. The addictive noise of the twin with race pipes. Weaknesses: Turns me into a hooligan when I am on it :-) Not sure if that is a bad thing. I call her the widow maker. Tank range not the best, clocks have reset themselves a few times.

Bored with sport tourers, but wanting something that offered lots of power and excitment I settled on a Tuono last May. From the look of some of these reports I may have paid over the top for it, but so far have been absolutely delighted with it. I have added an ermax flip screen to help it on the motorway, and replaced large numbers of badly fured nuts and bolts. It is a bike that demands a lot of committment from a rider - ride it well and it rewards with great dollops of grip, shunts of torque, and a howling engine that tickles something primevil inside me. Ride it badly and it hesitates, wheelies, slides, slaps the chain so bad you think it will break, and shakes it's head in disgust and generally tries to kill you. It was just what I was looking for. It's demanding, passionate, and utimatly rewarding. It demands committment from me, and gives utter delight in return. Strengths: Wonderful, powerful V-twin engine, the amazing brembo brakes, handling, attitude, un-commoness, brutal looks, italian detailing, noise. Weaknesses: Fuel range is not good. Seat is not comfortable for distance - in fact the bike is not great at motorways/distance because of the riding position, italian detailing, and the noise at 6.30am when I wake everyone on my street.

Fell in love at first sight and not disappointed. Sensible mod is to drop front cog by one tooth as was lumpy at very low revs around town. Im 6 foot and overwieght and the bike is so stable. On the throtle the bike is very responsive and the front brake can have the rear in mid air. Quality is supperb and the bike comes with steering damper, tank guard, crash bobins rear hugger, and slipper clutch, everything i would of had to but as extras on other bikes. Ive done track days on it and it flies, its highly confidence inspiring. Strengths: Stability, build quality, value for money, grin factor, reliability AND glorious red Italian exotica. Weaknesses: High motorway speeds are very tiring due to lack of wind protection around the head / neck.

In 30 yrs of biking I have never had a bike which makes me smile so much whether a 80 mile scratch, 300 mile tour or a 5 mile commute. Can't wait for the alleged 2006 model! Strengths: Power, Handling [on the right rubber] relative comfort, Italian style with reliabilty. Weaknesses: I found different makes of tyres make a huge difference in the way the front end feels.