My First Ride on an Aprilia Tuono - I think naked likes me

[pashnit]

(Wrote this awhile back, enjoy!)

First Ride on a Aprilia Tuono

You sit up high, almost like you're sitting up in a Semi, while my Hayabusa is the complete opposite- positioning you very low and sleek, integrated into the bike practically with my Tobin Seat.

The Aprilia Tuono on the other hand is a beast waiting to be tamed. An exotic machine that begs to be man-handled, forced into submission, and all the while begging for more. This sit-up-high seating position almost felt awkward at first, that is until we hit the first curve.

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The Tuono fell into the curve as if falling in love. It roared, it screamed, it blasted through the corner with a V-twin growl that had me giggling like a felonious school boy.

I dare not look down, but when I did, I realized I was only in 3rd gear. There were two more to go. It took some getting used to- power all the time, just keep it in the sweet spot. It occured to me while riding it that the power band was the complete opposite of the busa which has gobs of oomph at any gear, any speed, any time.

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The balls of my feet perched on the edge of the pegs, fingers fondled the brake and clutch, and I hung off as if peering off the edge of the Grand Canyon for a better look-see at the bottom 5000 feet below. The Tuono railed through the smooth corner, and I rolled on the gas.

I get it now.

[pashnit]

This third gear was such a sweet spot over such a wide range, I began to wonder why you'd even need any more.

Imagine the press introduction in some exotic Italian city... "Introducing the Aprilia Tuono, 1000cc and only 3 gears... Trust me, it's all you'll ever need!"

*insert maniacal laughter*

A completely different type of riding, and pure unbridled fun! We dropped out of the mountainous twisties descending into a broad valley. I was surrounded in farmland that stretched out to the mountaintops that lined all four corners of the scene.

The road opened up with see-through stretching off for miles. Smooth corners, apexes that stretched a mile or more arced across the farmland. I dropped it down a gear, rolled on the throttle and the front end went light.

It was one of those times where you wish the ride would never end.

[pashnit]

Couple more pics



Atop Mt. Lassen

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Btw... Chasing a Tuono on Highway 1 - vid - 13M

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Scott River Rd.



As an epilogue to writing this text, been thinking more of getting one of these someday.

My wife has always said I should get a naked bike (as a second bike), and of my choices, this would definitely be a good one. Speed Triple would be my other choice. I like my bikes a little more exotic (sorry, Ducati's don't do it for me either) so been thinking Tuono would be a good choice. Little pricey, but the bike's been out a couple years, so could probably pick a used one at a decent price. Maybe someday soon in the future.

Hmmm...

[pashnit]

[pashnit]

Last one... Pashnit Tuono ??


atop NorCal's Forest Rd 1

[Mole]

Were these pics taken at various times? cause I noticed not only he luggage changed but also the tires changed also. Thats is a beautiful bike though must have been hard to give it back to whoever it belonged too.