Head to head: silly supernakeds
£2500-£4800 133bhp 164mph 209kg 998cc 60° V-twin
“Mad, rad… and surprisingly practical”
In a Head To Head first, I’ll concede ground to my esteemed colleague. When it comes to taking sides between KTM’S 990 Super Duke and Aprilia’s secondgeneration Tuono, the 1000 R, the pair are almost too closely matched to split. (There. I’ve said it. Martin’s got a point, just this once. Don’t let it happen again.)
Both have sportsbike handling; the Tuono is a naked RSV-R, with radial brakes, lightweight wheels, a steering damper and adjustable suspension (albeit with a slightly inferior shock). Both Super Duke and Tuono have a romping sports V-twin; the Aprilia’s is retuned and stronger than the original Tuono and with 120bhp at the wheel, it’s a smidge beefier than the KTM. And both are a fiery riot to belt about on — the KTM is geared for roll-on; the Tuono for cruising and top-end.
So, to win the argument, I’ll counter the KTM’S appealing insanity with the Aprilia’s appealing practicality. 1) Price: a used Tuono R is at least a grand less than an equivalent Super Duke. 2) Tank range: the KTM runs dry at 120 miles while the Tuono’s bigger tank does 140. 3) Cruising: the Tuono is smoother and more relaxed. 4) Luggage: the Aprilia has bungee hooks, a better pillion seat and no underseat cans. And 5) Durability: which would you trust more, a 12-year-old Aprilia or a 12-year-old KTM?
Yeah, okay, fair point… SIMON HARGREAVES