…but the Aprilia is so tempting’
STEPHEN HAMMOND Age 33 Height 6ft Current bike 2019 Suzuki GSX-R1000R First bike Aprilia RS50
Dream bike Tuono for the road, GSX-R1000R for the track
“I struggled to decide between the Tuono V4 and the GSX-R but ended up opting for the Suzuki. I’ve never owned a proper race rep before and wanted to experience one before I became ‘too old’ to properly enjoy and get the best out of one.
“The Tuono would’ve been a better choice for the road, but had I not opted for the GSX-R I wouldn’t have fallen in love with track riding as quickly or progressed as fast as I have.
I also got a cracking deal from Powerslide Motorcycles with loads of extras thrown in. I’ve had it since November 2018 and done 7000 miles on trips to Wales, the Isle of Man and on track.
“But I love the Tuono so much that I managed to convince two of my friends to buy them during lockdown, without even a test ride, but they’re both very happy. We’re all heading to Scotland next month.
“The Aprilia is the perfect road bike. It looks great, sounds incredible, handles brilliantly, is more comfortable than a sportsbike and has that sporty edge over many of its rivals. I’d still consider one, but I’d need a separate track bike.
“Many people tried to put me off getting a Tuono, due to supposed reliability issues, but I think it’s a bit of a myth. I know a number of owners through social media, as well as close friends, and none have had any problems with their machines.”
at full lean. Having a WSB-winning aluminium chassis does the Tuono no harm, nor do its trackday tyres or semi-active suspension, although the older mechanically adjustable Öhlins tracked just as confidently. It would be churlish to say that the KTM doesn’t handle as well because it really does and its mechanically adjustable WP set-up is impressive, but its front-end can get fidgety on less than supremely smooth roads.
More than anything it highlights the advantages of the Aprilia’s electronic suspension, designed to give the perfect ride in all conditions, as opposed to the conditions sometimes suiting the suspension (the case on most bikes). As with the KTM, the Tuono’s Brembos are uber-powerful, full of feel and free from ABS intrusion. The quickshifter, blipper, anti-wheelie and traction control are all smooth and add rather than detract from the enjoyment of riding, too. Both machines have cruise control to make motorway riding and keeping to speed limits easier and while both have lots of rider modes to choose from, the Aprilia’s character changes the most with its suspension morphing from hard to soft.
Both the Tuono and Super Duke have the performance to satisfy the hunger of the most dedicated sportsbike souls. They’ll both stealth happily through town and can be loaded up for a big tour, which you can do on a superbike, but it’s so much easier and more comfortable on a super-naked machine like these two.
KTM’s new 1290 Super Duke R does everything with a massively cheeky grin on its face and outshines its 2020 rivals, but Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory is still the one to beat. We’re talking high, high level here, but the Aprilia is that bit more fluid, bites into the tarmac harder, assaults your senses that bit more and you’ll never tire of playing tunes on its big V4 engine. It’s still the best road-going performance naked bike money can buy.