GARY’S GRIND
APRILIATUONO 1100 FACTORY Y
Touring on sports bikes is often ridiculed by many, but really you can tour on anything.
I was allocated the Tuono 1100 which, for me, sits smack bang in the middle of sports and touring. It’s more upright, comfier than sports but not as comfy as Adventurers. However, after riding it for a few quick(ish) miles, I’d probably say it’s not as comfortable as a sports bike. Why? Buffeting! I found it hard work to be honest. Yes, there’s a little nose fairing but that’s as much use a braille speedometer and on the sportsbikes you can duck down. Well, you can if your midriff doesn’t look like you’ve swallowed a space hopper, like mine...
The rain was a pain too, the Tuono offers about as much protection from the elements as a paper umbrella. However, this bike is proper fun when the motorways stop and twisties arrive. Think of a 162bhp Supermoto, it handles like it’s on rails. It can be buried hard into corners and accelerates hard out to one of the best soundtracks ever created by an engine. This and the RSV4 – wow, you can tell they’re family!
Every member of this trip complained about something about their bike. Too tall, too hot, gearbox is pants, bars too upright, makes their back ache, etc. All these bikes have two wheels, handlebars, a seat, brakes and an engine. How they all work together and where they’re positioned results in good and bad, but these areas are really subjective to the individual riding it, aren’t they? So, can you tour on an Tuono? You can, I would and I did.