November 7, 2014

Aprilia unveiled the latest generation of its excellent Tuono V4 naked bike, boasting a larger 1077cc engine, revamped chassis setup intended to increase agility, and a more powerful electronics suite that now features Bluetooth connection with your smartphone for real-time telemetry and electronics adjustment. The new Tuono V4 1100 will be available in two versions: the V4 1100 RR, and the Factory aPRC edition with Öhlins suspension and steering damper.

A 3mm bore increase (from 78mm to 81mm) is responsible for the 77cc engine displacement boost, with the new pistons sitting on Pankl connecting rods that are a total of 400 grams lighter. The crankshaft rod journals have been reduced to 36mm in diameter, and the upper half of the engine cases is made with a shell fusion process for less weight and increased strength. The crankcase also has a ventilation window system to reduce pumping losses. Horsepower and torque make not-unexpected big jumps, with peak horsepower going up five ponies, but the spread underneath getting a tremendous boost (Aprilia claims an increase of almost 20 horsepower at 8000 rpm compared to the previous Tuono V4); torque increases from 82 ft/lb to 88.5 ft/lb.

Engine electronics have undergone some updates, with the third-generation aPRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) system still featuring eight different aTC (Aprilia Traction Control) settings that are adjustable on the fly using a joystick on the left side of the handlebar, but with more refined operating logic. The percentage of tire slippage allowed now also differs depending on the speed in the turn: the system's performance is said to be smoother and provides good drive in long sweepers at high speeds without overpowering grip coming out of slow turns. The aWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control) still comes with three settings, but map 1 (the least intervention) has been recalibrated to be more sporty for better acceleration and a smoother drop of the front wheel when activated. Both the aLC (Aprilia Launch Control) with three settings for track starts and the aQS (Aprilia Quick Shift) for full-throttle upshifts return unchanged.

Both Tuono V4 1100s now come with the highly advanced Race ABS, utilizing a Bosch 9MP system that weighs only 2kg (4.4 lb) and is claimed to provide optimum safety on the street without sacrificing any track performance. The Race ABS has three levels of adjustment in addition to RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation). Level 1 is for track use, and RLM is disabled; Level 2 is for sport riding on public roads, and the RLM activates progressively depending on the bike’s speed; and Level 3 is for riding surfaces with poor grip. The Race ABS can also be turned off if desired.

Those three Race ABS settings can be combined with any of the three engine maps (Track, Sport, and a new Road map). The Road map now features full power across the rpm range instead of the 25 percent reduction with the previous version, and each engine map also has its own dedicated engine brake management map.

Chassis changes include a tightening up of the steering geometry (rake decreases from 25.1° to 24.7°, with trail correspondingly dropping from 107.4mm to 99.7mm), while the swingarm length increases by 6mm. The Tuono V4 RR comes with a 43mm Sachs fork and rear shock with recalibrated settings, while the upscale Tuono V4 Factory aPRC comes with a 43mm Öhlins fork and rear shock, as well as an Öhlins steering damper. Brakes are basically unchanged, with 320mm stainless steel discs clamped by Brembo M432 monobloc radial-mount calipers up front (although the Factory aPRC version’s discs have an aluminum flange).

Minor styling changes to the front mini-fairing provide better wind protection and aerodynamics, and the three-headlight assembly is now 1.5kg (3.3 pounds) lighter. The seat height is 15mm lower and the tubular handlebar is narrower. Aprilia is claiming an overall one-pound weight drop, with the 2015 Tuono V4 RR and Factory aPRC both coming at 406 pounds dry.

Part of an extensive accessory list available for the Tuono V4, the PMP (Piaggio Multimedia Platform) has also been updated for 2015, with the highly advanced V4-MP version now utilizing your smartphone's GPS to mimic today's MotoGP setups. By recognizing where the bike's location is on the racetrack, the V4-MP "Active electronic setup" allows the user to either allow the ECU to automatically modify electronic settings (traction control, anti-wheelie, engine maps, etc.) on a turn-by-turn basis using a database of parameters recommended by Aprilia Racing, or employ the user's own preferences for settings. The "Immersive virtual telemetry" feature allows your smartphone to record various data parameters from the ECU and illustrates user performance on each lap using a sophisticated graphic. All the data can be downloaded to a database that collects all the laps made by Aprilia customers on each circuit for comparative purposes. And there's even an "Adaptive race assistant" feature that "provides tips in real time to safely achieve your best lap on the track with your Tuono V4. Thanks to Aprilia Racing Department simulation technology, you can establish the ideal lap for each track, considering the various grip and rider skill levels. The application compares rider performance in real time and assists by immediately indicating the need to brake or the possibility of opening up the throttle."

Expected availability for the 2015 Tuono V4 1100 RR and V4 1100 Factory aPRC is May 2015.

https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rider/sportbike-news/2015-aprilia-tuono-v4-1100-rr-and-factory-aprc-first-look/