Burn the Hell's Highway

APRILIA MANA 850 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

Bodystyle : Sports Naked Bike
Warranty : 24 months
Manufacturer Country : Italy
Model Year : 2011
Displacement (cc) : 839.3
Engine Type : V Twin

VEHICLE REVIEW

2011 Aprilia Mana 850

New for 2011 Aprilia Mana 850

Aprilia has always believed in utility design, but has developed the concept to its maximum expression on the Mana 850, creating a naked that is more versatile than any other. With its exclusive, unmistakably Italian styling, the Mana 850 embodies the perfect combination of elegance and practicality. As with all Aprilia nakeds, the Mana’s high-tech components make an essential contribution to overall design. The engine, fuel tank, airbox, frame and exhaust system all enhance the character of the Mana 850, creating a personality that stands out from the crowd.
The look of the Mana 850 is also the result of courageous and innovative design choices. The 16 litre tank is located under the seat, lower than normal, to distribute weight more evenly and lower the bike’s centre of gravity. The “traditional” tank location is occupied instead by an illuminated storage compartment that is lined with non-slip, non-scratch material and big enough to house a full face helmet. The compartment also incorporates mobile phone storage and a 12V power socket. The vehicle documents and toolkit are also located inside the same compartment, leaving access to the battery and fuses free. The Mana 850 is the first motorcycle ever to provide fully integrated helmet storage, a unique and immensely practical advantage, especially for urban commuting and short trips. The compartment is opened electrically by a convenient switch on the handlebars. The lid opens under the control of a hydropneumatic damper that prevents accidental opening while the bike is in motion. A manually operated lever under the passenger seat is provided to release the compartment lid in the event of a flat battery.
Aprilia is continuing to blaze the trail that the SL 750 Shiver began, and is manufacturing the Mana 850 engine completely in-house.
There can be no doubt that the Mana 850 engine has opened new horizons in the world of motorcycling, featuring as it does a twin cylinder layout, electronic fuel injection, bags of torque, and above all a revolutionary transmission system that completely replaces the conventional mechanical gearbox and delivers a whole new motorcycling experience even under sport riding conditions.
To develop this amazing new engine, Aprilia has relied on the expertise of the world’s top designers and all the skill of its own R&D department.
The most interesting aspect of the Mana engine is without a doubt its primary drive system, based on an electronically controlled, sequential transmission that offers the rider a choice of control modes.
Riders can choose from two options:
- Sequential mode: The rider decides for himself when to change gear, either using the conventional pedal or a switch on the handlebars. A servo mechanism shifts the main pulley to change between the seven gear ratios amazingly quickly. During deceleration, if the rider omit to change gear manually, the control system intervenes to change down automatically, preventing engine speed from dropping below the set threshold and providing another valuable aid to active safety.
- Fully automatic mode (Autodrive): Sophisticated electronics assume control over everything, and the CVT transmission keeps the engine running at maximum torque speed for optimum pickup and acceleration. The Sportgear transmission offers a choice of three mappings:
Touring: for minimum consumption and maximum usability.
Sport: for top performance with blistering acceleration
Rain: for use on wet or slippery roads
Semi-Autodrive mode allows the rider only to change down independently. This is particularly useful for overtaking at maximum torque revs or for boosting engine braking when riding down a hill. You can switch from Autodrive to Sequential mode and back at any time, irrespective of riding conditions. The handlebar gearshift control can also be disabled from the dashboard. The revolutionary transmission system of the Aprilia Mana 850 in no way reduces the pleasure of motorcycling. If anything, it adds the thrill of lightning fast gear changes and improves the performance of the engine under acceleration and on fast roads. A click of the switch is all that is needed to switch from one mode to the other, from relaxed cruising to exhilarating sports riding. With an engine and transmission like this, the potential of your motorcycle has never been greater. The 90° V engine configuration, chosen for torque and power delivery, is the perfect match for this type of transmission. The engine delivers 76 horsepower at the crank and well in excess of 7 kgm of torque (at 5,000 rpm). Most important of all is an extremely flat power curve that translates into plenty of ready power even at low revs.
These specifications clearly express the performance of this unique motorcycle, which easily beats other nakeds of similar displacement thanks to its amazing acceleration. The four valves per cylinder are operated by a single chain driven overhead camshaft, a solution that combines ease of maintenance with effective performance. As is traditional for Aprilia’s big bike engines, lubrication is provided by a dry sump system, with a separate oil reservoir integrated inside the engine to minimise overall weight. Efficient engine breathing is ensured by a generous size filter box and exhaust system. The electronic engine management system incorporates a sophisticated Weber Marelli electronic fuel injection unit with a single 38 mm throttle body and twin spark ignition. These two technical solutions combine to guarantee optimal combustion at all engine speeds, maximum thermodynamic efficiency, and therefore amazing performance despite low emissions. The Mana’s high performance engine respects the environment too. The stainless steel exhaust incorporates a catalytic converter and a Lambda probe oxygen sensor to bring emissions well within the limits established by Euro 3.
The handling of the Aprilia Mana 850 is not just the result of a revolutionary engine but of an advanced chassis too. As with all Aprilia motorcycles, the frame of the Mana 850 has been developed in parallel with the engine to ensure the sort of harmony between engine and chassis that has always distinguished Aprilia motorcycles.
The robust steel tube trellis frame sets new standards for this class of machine and ensures top level handling in line with the characteristics of the innovative engine. The single piece aluminium swingarm is damped by a monoshock that is laterally offset to free up space for the exhaust pipe behind the engine and make the motorcycle more compact. The Mana 850 has a wheelbase of only 1,463 mm, extremely short for a naked, even a sports model.
On all Aprilias, the excellence of the chassis is maximised by an ideal suspension configuration and setup. Here too the Mana 850 accepts no compromises. The 43 mm upside down fork slides easily and features an optimised setup for excellent performance even under sport riding conditions. 120 mm of front wheel travel lets you tackle all sorts of road surface. At the rear, the monoshock is operated directly by the swingarm without intermediary linkages, and offers adjustments for spring preload and hydraulic rebound damping. Rear wheel travel is 125 mm.
Impressive stopping power is delivered by the very best braking technology currently available, developed in-house by Aprilia. Radial calipers with 4 pistons are the state of the art for motorcycle brakes and ensure maximum active safety under all braking conditions. The generous front discs are 320 mm in diameter, the standard size for Aprilia’s big bikes, and are complemented by a single 260 mm rear disc.

OVERVIEW SPECIFICATIONS

Trail(in) : 4.1

Steering Angle : 24°