Intermot show: Aprilia unveils two Tuonos – the 1100RR and the Factory versions

Intermot show: Aprilia unveils two Tuonos – the 1100RR and the Factory versions.

Aprilia has taken the wraps off two updated Tuonos that will be part of the Italian firm’s 2017 line-up; the Tuono V4 1100RR and the Tuono V4 1100 Factory. They also come with a joystick to let you toggle through the various digital menus. Yeah, a joystick.

Still based around the RSV4 superbike, the big naked is staying at 175bhp but is now Euro 4 compliant and gets a raft of new electronics and has tweaked suspension and brakes, too.

The Tuono V4 1100 RR is the full-on ‘standard’ Tuono whilst the Tuono V4 1100 Factory is the more exclusive version equipped with bits taken from the Aprilia RSV4 RF superbike.

Completely revamped electronics

Aprilia itself says that the greatest innovations have to do with the Aprilia Tuono V4’s on board electronics. Aprilia Performance Ride Control is the control suite derived directly from the WSB race bikes. The fourth generation of APRC, standard on the Tuono V4 1100, fits in with the new full Ride-by-Wire throttle (590 grams lighter than the current unit). Aprilia has also repositioned the inertial platform that allows APRC operation which has, it’s claimed, made the measurements of the various attitudes of the bike under use, more accurate.

The Tuono V4 1100 RR and Tuono V4 1100 Factory APRC include:

• New ATC: Aprilia Traction Control, adjustable on the fly, (without having to release the throttle) to 8 settings thanks to a practical joystick, now has even more fine tuned and higher performance operating logic.
• New AWC: Aprilia Wheelie Control, adjustable to 3 levels, has new, much more precise operating strategies thanks to the repositioning of the inertial platform. Wheelie control can now be adjusted on the fly without closing the throttle, like the ATC, thanks to the new and more practical left side electric block.
• New ALC: Aprilia Launch Control, for use on the track only, with 3 settings, uses even more effective new operating strategies.
• New AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift, the electronic gearbox that allows shifting without closing the throttle and without using the clutch, now with the downshift function as well, to allow clutchless downshifting. Its open-throttle downshifting feature is exclusive.
• New APL: Aprilia Pit Limiter, the system that lets you select and limit the top speed allowed in pit lane at the track or simply to make it easier to comply with posted speed limits on the road.
• New ACC: Aprilia Cruise Control. The new electronic management has allows an advanced cruise control system to be introduced, very convenient on longer trips because it lets you maintain the set speed without touching the throttle.

The new Tuono V4 1100 range is fitted with the advanced multimap Cornering ABS system, developed in collaboration with Bosch. The 9.1 MP system, with truly contained weight and dimensions, is able to optimize braking and the ABS in corners. The new ABS system works in unison with the Aprilia RLM (Rear Liftup Mitigation) system that limits the lift of the rear wheel during more abrupt braking. Cornering ABS, fine tuned in accordance with Aprilia’s specific indications, is adjustable to 3 levels of sensibility and can be switched off.

Each of the three Cornering ABS maps can be combined with any of the three new engine maps (Sport, Track, Race). The latter are all three “full power” and differ in the way they dole out the 175 bhp of which the Aprilia V4 is capable, in addition to the percentage of engine brake dedicated to them.

The colour TFT digital instrumentation is also entirely new. The two selectable screen pages (Road and Race, both with night and day backlighting) correspond to as many indexes. There is an optional new version of the V4-MP, the Aprilia multimedia platform that lets you connect your smartphone to the bike, introducing a true corner-by-corner electronic settings calibration system with data that can subsequently be downloaded to your laptop (or displayed directly on the smartphone screen) for analysis. The new V4-MP adds a new connection protocol that reduces smartphone battery consumption to a minimum, in addition to providing a larger range of circuits already mapped in which you can manage the electronic settings corner by corner, as well as user acquisition of a new circuit that is not in the list Aprilia has provided. V4-MP includes the new infotainment system, introduced by Aprilia for the first time on the new Tuono V4, to manage voice commands and incoming/outgoing telephone calls with your smartphone.

Euro 4 engine, the same performance

The Tuono V4 1100 is the only naked powered by a 65° V4 engine. The narrow V architecture has made it possible to make an engine that is extremely compact lengthways which helps to centralise weights and to have a compact chassis.

The powerplant earns a new exhaust system with a silencer that has a double oxygen sensor and a built in valve. The engine ECU is new, with superior calculating capacity able to manage the rise in maximum revs, now 500rpm higher. In order to guarantee maximum reliability, decreasing friction at the same time, the piston pins have DLC surface treatment, whereas the connecting rod heads boast a surface honing treatment. The combustion chambers are no longer obtained through a fusion process, but by a finer, numerically controlled mechanical process, whereas the gearbox now has a linear sensor that guarantees impeccable gearshift operation.

Suspension and brakes directly from the new RSV4

The front Brembo braking system comes directly from the one on the new RSV4 and relies on a pair of new steel discs that have been increased to 330mm, gripped by the new monobloc M50 callipers. Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory also has Öhlins NIX, with fully adjustable hydraulics and spring preload. This unit saves about 400 grams compared with the previous one and is combined with the same brand rear shock absorber and steering damper (also adjustable).

Versions and colours

The new Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 range includes two models distinguished by different technical equipment and different colour schemes: Tuono V4 1100 RR is available in two colours; grigio Portimao and nero Assen, whereas the Superpole graphic is on the Tuono V4 1100 Factory.

Tuono V4 1100 Factory stands out technically because of the most refined trio of Öhlins suspension systems and stylistically because of its RSV4 seat unit.

The cast aluminium wheel rims are the same for both models: their lightweight quality contributes to a maximum reduction of the gyroscopic effect. Tuono V4 1100 Factory is shod with the more sporty Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa, with a wider 200/55 on the rear, in any case approved for street use and available for the Tuono V4 RR as well which, on the other hand, comes standard with 190/55 on the rear and new Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tyres.

Aprilia Tuono Accessories

Slip-on racing exhaust: made by Akrapovic, it is available with a carbon silencer.

Complete racing exhaust: this is an exhaust system complete with headers made by Akrapovic. This item is available with a carbon muffler.

Öhlins TTX shock absorbers: the TTX line is the most prestigious of the products offered by Öhlins (top and bottom attachments are in billet aluminium). They allow full and fine adjustment in all shock absorbing functions. They can be fitted with linear sensors to install telemetry.

Öhlins steering damper (standard on the Tuono V4 1100 Factory): the fine adjustment of this item’s hydraulics provides a front end that is always solid even during the most violent acceleration.

Carbon components: fairings, mudguards, heel guards. Made in matte finished carbon fibre. They guarantee a sporty look and lower overall weight.

Frame guards: made of billet nylon, these are useful to prevent damage to the frame in the event of a sliding crash.

Racing rider footpegs: completely machined from billet aluminium and adjustable to 9 different positions, these pegs allow micrometric calibration of the gear shift and brake controls. They are installation ready to lodge the rear brake light switch and the inverted gear lever.

Inverted racing gear lever: this is a mechanical element that inverts the gear shifting mode in order to improve performance on the track.

Forged rims: made from aluminium with a forging process, these provide maximum resistance at a light weight, essential for increasing handling.

Tank bag: available in two sizes, this bag is made of technical fabric with carbon-look inserts. They are tested and approved to resist oil, fuel, UV rays and not to compromise stability even at high speeds.

Adjustable license plate bracket: made from laser cut steel. Includes the LED licence plate light.

LED turn indicators: The LED turn indicators guarantee a brighter light and lower consumption.

V4-MP kit: this is the installation kit for the multimedia platform dedicated to the Aprilia V4 models made up of a Bluetooth control unit and all the wiring needed for installation.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR: Technical Specifications

[Tuono V4 1100 Factory data in brackets]