Aprilia Tuono first ride

MCN has been lucky enough to get the inside line on what the new Aprilia Tuono is like to ride – ahead of its official launch.

For the full story on the new Tuono and what it’s like to ride you can catch it the new MCN, out May 8, but here’s our first impressions:

* The Tuono comes with a thumping 1000cc V-twin producing 130bhp and 73ftlb of torque (see chart, right) and one of the sweetest handling chassis of any production bike. It has Ohlins 43mm inverted forks and an Ohlins shock, Brembo calipers and lightweight forged aluminium OZ Racing wheels.

*The first person outside the factory to ride the bike, di Ricardo Capacchione said: ” Through twisty mountain road the Tuono is excellent. Its wide handlebars give you more leverage to get the bike into corners and it can be thrown from one side to the other like an enduro bike.

” Driving out of the corners the delivery is much smoother and stronger than the RSV-R, which makes the bike easier to ride fast. ”

*The tester’s only real criticism was that the brakes lack initial feel and may be too powerful for road use.

The Tuono goes on sale on Wednesday, May 15.