Aprilia RSV Tuono 1000 (2018-2020): The Naked Beast That Rewrites Rules

Introduction

The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s a declaration of war on compromise. Born from the DNA of the championship-winning RSV4 superbike, this 2018-2020 generation Tuono takes the "naked" segment and injects it with racetrack-grade adrenaline. With its snarling 175 HP V4 engine, space-age electronics, and chassis engineered for surgical precision, the Tuono blurs the line between road legality and outright hooliganism. Having spent hours carving mountain passes and testing its limits on tight circuits, I can confirm: this isn’t just a bike you ride. It’s a bike that rewires your definition of speed.

Design: Aggressive Minimalism Meets Functional Art

The Tuono’s design is a masterclass in purposeful aggression. The twin LED headlights glare like a predator’s eyes, flanked by angular air intakes that channel airflow to the 48mm throttle bodies. The aluminum twin-beam frame isn’t hidden beneath plastic—it’s showcased, polished to a shine that contrasts with the matte-black engine casing. At 825 mm (32.5 inches), the seat height feels accessible for a bike this potent, though the narrow tank design lets even shorter riders plant their feet firmly.

Aprilia’s color schemes—Sachsenring Red, Magny-Cours Grey, and the Factory’s Superpole Black/Red—aren’t just paint jobs. They’re heritage. The Misano Limited Edition (2020) takes it further with carbon fiber fenders and a livery echoing Aprilia’s 1987 GP victory. Functional details abound: the asymmetrical swingarm saves weight, while the underbelly exhaust tucks neatly to avoid burning your calf during aggressive cornering.

Engine: The Symphony of Controlled Chaos

The 1,077cc 65° V4 is the star here, and it’s a diva that demands your attention. Crank the throttle, and the engine barks to life with a bass-heavy growl that morphs into a metallic shriek as the revs climb past 8,000 RPM. Peak power hits 175 HP (129 kW) at 11,000 RPM, but the real magic lies in the midrange—121 Nm (89 lb-ft) of torque at 9,000 RPM launches you out of corners like a catapult.

What’s shocking isn’t the power—it’s how usable it is. In "Sport" mode, throttle response is crisp but manageable, perfect for tight canyon roads. Switch to "Race," and the Tuono transforms into a razor-edged weapon, every millimeter of throttle travel translating to instant acceleration. The ride-by-wire system is so refined you’ll forget cables ever existed. Even the gearbox sings—thanks to the Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS), upshifts are seamless, while the auto-blipping downshifts sound like a Gatling gun spitting casings.

Electronics Suite: Your Raceteam in a Chip

Aprilia’s APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) isn’t just a suite—it’s an entire engineering department living in your handlebars. Let’s break down the wizardry:

• ATC (Traction Control): 8 levels of intervention. Level 1 is for rain; Level 8 lets you drag knees with the rear wheel spinning like a lottery drum. Adjustable mid-corner without closing the throttle.
• AWC (Wheelie Control): From tame (Level 3) to "let’s party" (Level 1). Disable it, and the front wheel hovers inches off the pavement in first three gears.
• ALC (Launch Control): Hold the button, rev to 8,000 RPM, and release the clutch. 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3 seconds—if your nerves hold.
• Cornering ABS: Co-developed with Bosch, it leans with you. On tight switchbacks, it’s the difference between a heart-stopping slide and a clean exit.

The 4.3-inch TFT dash is Mission Control. Switch between Road and Race layouts, tweak suspension settings via the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 interface (Factory model), or pair your phone via V4-MP to analyze lap times. It’s so intuitive you’ll wonder why other bikes still use dials.

Suspension and Handling: Dance Partner or Drill Sergeant?

The RR and Factory models cater to different budgets and obsessions. The RR’s Sachs suspension is no slouch—fully adjustable, with 117 mm (4.6 in) front travel and a plush 130 mm (5.1 in) rear. It handles bumpy backroads with grace, only firming up when you’re hard on the brakes.

But the Factory’s Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 is witchcraft. In semi-active mode, the system scans road conditions 100 times per second, adjusting damping to keep the chassis flat during hard acceleration or braking. Flick to manual mode, and you can tailor settings for track stiffness or Sunday comfort. The steering damper—also electronic—adds stability at triple-digit speeds without sacrificing low-speed flickability.

At 209 kg (460 lbs) wet, the Tuono feels shockingly light. The V4’s compact layout centralizes mass, making hairpins feel like pivot turns. The wide handlebars offer leverage usually found on supermotos, letting you change direction with a sneeze.

Brakes: Bite Now, Apologize Later

Brembo’s M50 monoblocs clamp onto 330 mm discs with the subtlety of a bear trap. Initial bite is fierce—panic-grab the lever, and the ABS’s RLM (Rear Lift Mitigation) will save you from a reverse wheelie. But modulate smoothly, and you’ll discover unreal feedback. The rear 220 mm disc is almost an afterthought, though it’s handy for tightening lines mid-corner.

Competition: How the Tuono Stacks Up

The Tuono V4 1100 exists in a realm of hyper-nakeds where "overkill" is the baseline. Let’s see how it fares:

• BMW S1000R (164 HP): Smoother, more commuter-friendly, but lacks the Tuono’s raw theatrics. BMW’s Dynamic Pro mode feels sanitized next to Aprilia’s Race map.
• Ducati Streetfighter V4 (208 HP): More power, higher price tag. The Ducati’s aero aids and winglets add stability, but the Tuono’s V4 sounds angrier and the chassis feels livelier.
• KTM 1290 Super Duke R (180 HP): Torque monster (140 Nm!) with apocalyptic acceleration. However, the KTM’s electronics feel dated, and its upright stance lacks the Tuono’s sporty ergonomics.

The Tuono’s trump card? Balance. It’s a bike that’s equally at home blitzing Alpine passes, commuting in traffic, or humbling liter bikes at track days.

Maintenance: Keeping the Beast Hungry

Ownership isn’t for the faint of wallet, but smart upgrades can enhance reliability and performance:

• Oil Changes: Use full synthetic 5W-40 every 6,000 km (3,700 miles). The V4’s high revs demand quality lubrication.
• Chain Care: The 520 chain stretches quickly under hard use. Upgrade to a DID ZVM-X with gold plating for longer life.
• Brake Pads: Stock Brembo sintered pads dust heavily. Swap to Galfer HH-sintered for less noise and better heat management.
• Exhaust: The stock canister is heavy. An Akrapovič slip-on (available at MOTOPARTS.store) sheds 4 kg (8.8 lbs) and uncorks the V4’s symphonic roar.
• Suspension Upgrades: RR owners can retrofit Öhlins NIX forks and TTX shocks—direct from the Factory model’s spec sheet.

Conclusion: The Superbike That Plays by Its Own Rules

The Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (2018-2020) isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s a rebellion. A rebellion against the idea that street bikes must be tame, that electronics dilute excitement, that practicality and insanity can’t coexist. It’s a machine that rewards skill, punishes complacency, and delivers grins per mile like nothing else in its class.

Whether you’re chasing knee-down glory or just want the most badass commute imaginable, the Tuono delivers. And when you’re ready to make it truly yours—MOTOPARTS.store has the upgrades to let this Italian stallion gallop even harder.

Specifications sheet