[ReaperAZ]

A riding buddy sold his SV650 this weekend and picked up a brand new Tuono Racing model(not sure if it's an 04 or 05). This thing has goodies all over it. There's enough carbon fiber on it to make you go crosseyed. He had the Akrapovic Aprilia pipe put on as well. It sounds wonderful of course and the look is quite unique compared to the normal Tuono's. Holy cow is it tall. This is one of very few street bikes that I have sat on that my legs weren't bent with my feet on the ground. The seat is quite comfy but then again any seat other then my 600RR is comfy. The reach to the bars is quite relaxing and at first felt a bit odd. Everything in the "cockpit" seems very well laid out, and the mirrors work! With full Ohlins and Brembos I was eager to take it for a spin.

Thumbing the starter yeilded an awesome tone of thumpage. It revs quick and clean. Put up the stand, toed to shifter and I was off. Having ridden a few Aprilias in my time I kind of knew what to expect. I say kind of becasue the others have been Mille models and this was my first Tuono. What a fantastic machine. It rides so nice and is very nimble for a bike of its size and weight. The leverage you get from the bars is outstanding. It turns so well and flicks side to side with a surprisingly low amount of effort. The brakes are sweet. Wish I could pull them off and put them on my 600RR. Unreal power in those things. The comfert level while riding is so nice. I can see this being an excellent touring bike with a serious side. At city street speeds it putts along nicley with plenty of grunt to move out of any situation that may arise that requires quick acceleration. It's comfy! So now that I'm getting used to it, it's time to hit some twisties .

From this point on I would like to state that I would really like to own one of these bikes. If anyone has $16k just laying around I would very much like to help in spending it. These things are super fun to ride. Took me a few corners to get used to the riding position coming from my 600RR. Once I did it was all grins and chuckles inside my Arai. I just stuck it in 3rd gear and went about my business. Now I thought it was fun coming out of corners on my 600RR at higher rpms. I used to think it felt like getting shot out of a cannon. Well now my little 600 feels like a paper clip being launched off a rubber band. The Tuono felt as if you were strapped to the top of a missile with a set of handlebars on it. The thing is super solid in the corners and the Ohlins.....oh the Ohlins. Wish I could have taken the Mille Factory I rode a bit ago up this road to see how much of a difference it was. It was time to return the bike to its owner... . Everyone could see how pleased I was with the ride and how much fun that thing is. I told the ower he has a keeper for sure. I was not pushing the bike at all seeing as it's not mine and is a bit expensive to say the least. The potential this thing has is way higher then I had ever thought. At least I scrubbed his tires in for him.

Edit: Just wanted to add a pic of what it looks like. This isn't "his" bike but it's the same thing.

[bwhip]

Those are very cool bikes. I'd love to have one in my collection. Thanks for sharing the ride report - I'm envious!

[Heavy-Dee]

I've lusted after even the base model Tuono for a few years now. Maybe after grad school....

HD

[ReaperAZ]

This past weekend the owner took it up to Phx to have it dyno tuned and the Ihlins dialed in for him. WOW, what a difference. The power is way smoother then it was before and the suspension is unreal. I never thought I'd be able to tell the difference between a premium brand fork/shock and factory. Well I can now and my God is it amazing. If I had the money I would most certainly find a way to outfit my 600RR with an Ohlins front and rear.