Burn the Hell's Highway

APRILIA TUONO 1000 R 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

VEHICLE REVIEW

Standard Features

The latest 1000 cc V 60 Magnesium Evolution engine is derived from that of the RSV 1000 R Factory, with only a few minor changes to improve torque and muscle at low revs. The engine has been thoroughly redesigned to maintain its reputation as the best twin cylinder engine in production. So performance is more amazing than ever, with 100% usable power and, of course, that proverbial Aprilia reliability.
Engine breathing has been improved by new, bigger exhaust valves (enlarged from 31 to 33 mm in diameter) and new, larger diameter exhaust header pipes. Thanks to these improvements, the V60 Magnesium Evolution that drives the Tuono 1000 R puts out more power than ever, 139 HP at 9,500 rpm, while also boosting torque to an impressive 10.9 Kgm at 8,500 rpm, a figure that tells you all you need to know about the muscle that Aprilia’s V twin can deliver even at low revs.
The silencers have catalytic converters installed nearer to the collector pipes. This solution has reduced converter activation time by 50% while further reducing the level of exhaust emissions, keeping tem well within the strict limits required for Euro 3 homologation.
Optimised fluid dynamics inside the cylinder heads have been enhanced by improved mapping of the combined ignition and fuel injection systems to achieve higher power throughout the useful rev range.
The Tuono 1000 R inherits the RSV’s dynamic air intake, locating it just under the headlight cluster, in the centre of the bike where ram air pressure is highest. The Air Runner duct (which also supports the nose fairing and instruments) channels the air to a 10.3 litre airbox, designed to allow the engine to develop its full potential. The Air Runner duct ensures that pressure in the airbox increases with speed, and generates a 3% increase in engine power at maximum speed.
An engine control unit developed in conjunction with Siemens VDO provides integrated engine management. The ECU receives all essential engine parameters in real time from 15 different sensors, processes the data and, again in real time, controls the various actuators that keep the engine functioning perfectly at all times.
The unit’s flash EPROM comes with the mapping for unrestricted racing exhausts ready loaded. Aprilia’s Technical Assistance Service can therefore enable race mapping in next to no time on request.
Whether you are riding on the road or on the track, the Tuono 1000 R’s chassis brings you the tops in performance and control. Every aspect of the frame, fork and suspensions has been fine tuned for perfect weight distribution. In keeping with Aprilia traditions, the frame is a combination of aluminium-silicon alloy castings and Peraluman 450 pressed parts. This highly sophisticated structure is not only more rigid than the previous version but lighter too. The latest frame weighs under 10 kg (9650 grams) setting an impressive new record for its class. The wheelbase is shorter too, and at 1410 mm – another record for the category – accounts for the Tuono 1000 R’s crisper than even handling and more instinctive ride.
The new double banana swingarm provides a clear passage for the exhaust system and weighs only 4860 grams, well under the 5 kg figure considered by experts to be the reference weight for this component.
The fork is a Showa upside down unit, with 43 mm stanchions for a perfect balance between precision on the racetrack and comfort on the road. And to ensure that the ideal setup can be achieved for all styles and conditions, on the road and on the track alike, the fork is fully adjustable in spring preload and in compression and rebound damping. The Sachs monoshock at the rear is likewise adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping.
The braking system has undergone a number of major changes. The new Tuono 1000 R is equipped with Brembo Gold radial calipers featuring two separate sintered pads. The two 320 mm floating steel discs feature a narrower braking band to minimise inertia and weight and are fixed in place by Aprilia’s exclusive six spoke flange.
The rear braking system is Brembo Gold too, with a 220 mm stainless steel disc and a caliper with two 32 mm pistons.
The front and rear brakes both use aeronautical metal braided hoses to eliminate the sponginess inevitably associated with conventional brake hoses and to ensure maximum braking precision.
The following components deserve special mention.
- The dashboard is a mixed (digital-analog) unit. It uses the data received over the CAN line to perform an essential autodiagnostic function for which it incorporates a dedicated memory. The new dashboard control unit performs the same functions as the previous unit (including the 40 lap timer) but is more compact and modern in design and extremely lightweight. User friendliness has improved too, with all functions controlled from two practical push-buttons on the left hand light switch.
The LED backlighting can also be adjusted to three levels of intensity.
- The headlight cluster is derived from that of the RSV, and incorporates four light units for perfect night-time visibility.
- The new tail light cluster features the innovative design and LED lighting of the RSV.
- The ignition key is internally coded, and the ignition block is fitted with an engine immobiliser as standard.

OVERVIEW SPECIFICATIONS

Trail(mm) : 104

Trail(in) : 4.1

Steering Angle : 25°