The Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS is the heir of an absolute sporty naked tradition, born from an innovative idea in 2002 that found its initial great expression in the lethal Tuono 1000 R, the first true high performance naked, closely derived from RSV mille, the super two-cylinder bike among the most loved and wanted by sporty motorcyclists of the new millennium.
The only one in the segment that can fight and win against the most awarded faired rivals on the track with all the comfort and fun that a high handlebar allows, thanks to its excellent chassis, the power of the more than 167 HP V4 engine and the unequalled aPRC electronic control package.
The know-how acquired in years of winning competitions at maximum levels has meant that Aprilia can go even further: the new Tuono V4 R ABS has an even greater performance, is more fun, incisive and safe.
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The evolution of the superbike with the high handlebar
Tuono V4 R ABS, the heir of the motorbike elected by trade press at global level as the most exciting, incisive and fun naked ever, reaching performance and sophistication levels never seen before. Not only does it boast all the important updates successfully introduced in 2013 on RSV4 Factory ABS and RSV4 R ABS but it also has a new rider seat and standard suspension setup (fully adjustable) reviewed for increased comfort on the road. The aim is to increase sports performance without sacrificing comfort when riding along a road: this aspect is ever more important for those who use the bike for daily purposes. This is why the seat has gained extra padding while the standard setting of the suspension now better absorbs the irregularities of public roads. This has done nothing to stop the ample possibilities of customisation, to have maximum rigour and precision in a truly riding-cum-racing experience. Even the on-board ergonomics have changed, thanks to the arrival of the new increased capacity tank now holding 18.5 litres and the side panels redesigned in their shape to give the rider a better feeling when going around bends and braking.
State of the art
It’s quite likely that no other naked exists that’s as sporty and bad as Tuono V4; its close origins with the bike that won the SBK world championship five times are more than obvious in its twin spar frame made with cast and pressed elements in brushed aluminium, a structure with an excellent balance between torsional and flexional rigidity that envelopes the 65° V4 engine, proudly left in full view. The same construction technology used for the frame has also been used for the swingarm. A state of the art chassis, already highly appreciated on the previous version which is why it is used, as is, on Tuono V4 R ABS.
The suspension has been selected to make this Aprilia the best naked for the track without compromising comfort when riding on the road. The new 43 mm upside down Sachs fork has separated “one by one” hydraulic compression and rebound adjustments besides having the settings of the spring preload on both stanchions. The standard setup has been redefined to ensure a more comfortable response on open public roads. The Sachs damper with built-in piggy back allows hydraulic adjustments in compression and rebound not to mention spring preload adjustments. Also its basic setting takes into greater consideration the use of the bike on the road.
Absolute electronics
Tuono V4 R ABS receives the important updates and tunings of the already exceptional aPRC, that made their debut in 2013 on RSV4 Factory ABS and RSV4 R ABS.
As known, aPRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) is the patented control system package derived directly from the winning technology used in the Superbike world championship, the most complete and refined among those currently in the market, the only one that has the exclusive self-calibrating tyre circumference function and wheelie control. aPRC, standard feature on the new Tuono V4 R ABS, integrates better still with the fine full Ride by Wire multimap electronic management of the powerful V4 engine. As it did before, it benefits from a specific calibration for the requirements of Tuono V4 but has been improved upon and refined even more to find maximum enjoyment on the road and maximum performance on the track.
Besides the second generation aPRC, Tuono V4 R ABS is also fitted with a highly technological ABS, the anti-lock wheel system designed to guarantee maximum safety on the road without diminishing performance on the track in any way. The ABS 9MP unit, developed in collaboration with Bosch, constitutes the maximum point of distinction and technology available today. The system, weighing a mere 2 kg, adopts an intervention strategy called RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation) that limits wheelying of the rear wheel when hard braking. In addition it can be disconnected and adjusted on 3 settings by easily accessing the instrument’s control menu.
Each of the three ABS mappings can be combined with any of the three engine maps (Track, Sport, Road), in order to allow riders with different experience and skill levels to find the best possible combination for their style.
Tuono V4 R ABS gains a new front braking system with brand new Brembo M432 radial mounted monoblock callipers and 320 mm steel discs with reduced height braking tracks and asymmetrical perforation resulting in a more modulated braking power.
A racing engine
Tuono V4 R is the only naked driven by a V 65° four-cylinder engine with unique characteristics. The narrow V architecture has made it possible to make an engine that is extremely compact lengthways which helps to centralise weights and to have a compact chassis. The monobloc aluminium crankcase with integrated cylinder liners ensures maximum rigidity and consistent performance. the gearbox is extractable with wet sump lubrication with oil in the crankcase. Timing adopts innovative kinematics: the chain only moves the intake camshaft that returns motion to the exhaust camshaft by means of a single gear. With this solution we can have highly compact cylinder heads, reducing engine’s cross-section especially where the frame spars pass which, as a result, are exceptionally tapered. A countershaft dampens the vibrations even more than in the 90° V engine.
Full Ride by Wire eliminates any direct connection between the throttle grip and the throttle valves, which are entirely controlled by a latest generation Marelli control unit that also controls ignition and the four injectors. Each bank is powered by two throttle bodies controlled by a dedicated servomotor. This means that the aperture of the throttle valves and, as a consequence, the quantity of fuel injected, can be controlled independently. A solution that opens up practically infinite possibilities for power delivery control and works hand in hand with the aPRC system.
Performance increases
The Tuono V4 R ABS engine, equivalent to that of the RSV4 ABS, has been updated and improved, paying particular attention to reducing internal friction and sump ventilation. Both maximum power and maximum torque increase which at present are 170 HP at 11,500 rpm and 111.5 Nm at 9,500 rpm which is also thanks to a redesigned exhaust system and highly tuned electronic management. The three mappings (Track, Sport and Road), were matched to the new power and torque specifications of the V4 in order to obtain an even fuller and richer power output at any engine speed.
Compared to the RSV4 ABS engine, the unit installed on Tuono V4 R ABS boasts some rather particular characteristics:
• Revised timing system
• Fixed intake ducts 20 mm longer.
• Crankshaft flywheel with increased inertia for improved smoothness and overall balance.
• Shorter ratios in the first three gears
• Maximum power dropped to 11,500 rpm
For more information on the Aprilia Tuono V4 R ABS, contact ANB Motorcycles via their official Facebook page.