What to look out for? i'm searching for a Tuono!

Hi guys.

First let me introduce myself. Sorry if this is the wrong place?

I'm from Derbyshire, UK. I've been riding for 6 years and turn 24 this year. I've had a couple of V configuration engines in the past, i really liked the SV650s engine but it didnt have enough power, so i moved onto a VFR800 vtec, which i've currently got up for sale. The V4 of the VFR is nice, but i prefered the vtwin of the SV and i think i've got my heart set on a Tuono now. Something a little more wild compared to what im used to, i like that.

So i was wondering if you guys wouldn't mind sparing a little of your knowledge.

What should i be looking with the Tuono? Budget is about £4-£5k and i was just hoping for a few tips on what i should expect for my money.

I hear the rear shock linkage is an issue? It's good for that to of been lubed? Is that a problem if it hasnt been on a 10-15k miles bike? or would you just do it as soon as i got it?

How about common problems? what are there? Are these Rotax engines really quite reliable? or is the wiring a problem?

Sorry for so many questions. I've been searching around and its quite frankly a minefield out there. This forum seems quite layed back (like me) so i thought it might be a good place to start.

Thanks in advance.
Oli

Search through the forum, you'll find plenty of advice. I've not heard of the rear shock linkage having issues, but the stock rear shock ain't the greatest, unless you buy a Factory. The Rotax engine is damn near bullet proof, but the stator/rotor is a known problem. (Just had mine replaced last fall) Wiring? Search for "brown connector". Good luck in your search...

Motorama, Jersey have got a brilliant gen2 for sale ( it's my old one).
I sold it on a couple of years ago, I had it from new.
7500 miles, £3495. There is the issue of vat and uk registration but I'm sure if you speak to Darren something could be worked out.
Good luck the Tuono is a brilliant bike, I'm now on a V4 after a couple of years on a bland ( but competent ) fireblade.

Another 2k and your in the v4 market. There was a bike on here a couple of months back with a cracked mount on the rear shock linkage but that was alot older than your looking at. I've never had the v2 so don't have any wisdom to share sorry, good luck with your search though

Hi and welcome to the forum , ( nice to see a proper intro for a change ) .

There is a good buying guide on " tuonoworld.com " . Most mature owners will have been fastidous with maintenence . so if you buy private you can check out the owner too .

things to look for basically , are - dog bone yearly re greasing , valve clearances at 20 k , sprag clutch and possibly stator windings .

I have heard of bikes with well over 30,000 miles on the clock and still going strong .

I dont think they are any more trouble some than anything else on the market .

go for it .!!

Cheers guys! Good to hear.

30k? i was hoping theyd be good for alot more than that. Mr viffers barely run in at 25k haha. Anyhow, the lower the mileage the better then. I've been looking for ones with around 10k on the clock where possible.

I'll do a search for the brown connector, thankyou.

I'm not really too fussed about having a V4 again tbh. I know it'll be different to the V4 in the VFR but i quite like the lumpiness and character of a Vtwin.

That one in Jersey sounds nice, if only it was on the mainland! haha.

Are they usually pretty problem free then? or do you guys find yourself constantly tinkering to make it work? haha

Touch wood , not had any bother with mine , except for slight problem with the left hand switch unit .

regular servicing , cleaning and maintenance . 21,000 miles no bother.

Otaylor38 said:

Cheers guys! Good to hear.

30k? i was hoping theyd be good for alot more than that. Mr viffers barely run in at 25k haha. Anyhow, the lower the mileage the better then. I've been looking for ones with around 10k on the clock where possible.

I'll do a search for the brown connector, thankyou.

I'm not really too fussed about having a V4 again tbh. I know it'll be different to the V4 in the VFR but i quite like the lumpiness and character of a Vtwin.

That one in Jersey sounds nice, if only it was on the mainland! haha.

Are they usually pretty problem free then? or do you guys find yourself constantly tinkering to make it work? haha

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I'd sell you mine but it might be a wee bit too far for you to ship! I'm dying to get my hands on a V4T. 5,500 miles and pristine!

Hi Oli,

I'm also in Derbyshire!

Having had various bikes over the past 30+ years (and having been a Ducati Dealer in the past), I bought a mint 07 Tuono Factory R for £5,500 recently - it's an incredible bike. You should be able to get a decent, looked after Tuono within your budget. I was tempted to buy from a (non-franchise) dealer, until I checked the feedback on them - and avoided them, although they have a big selection. There are enough decent dealer and private bikes around, so just have a look round

Most owners are knowledgeable and look after their bikes - just ask the right questions. All bikes / makes have their foibles and peculiarities - try no to worry too much about this. A Tuono is not a VFR, and will require more looking after - but not as much as a Ducati.

there is a nice one in mileskingsport in hull in white think is on a 10 plate looks standard .I hive a 07 gen 2 only thing I would recomed is getting some different pegs and move the master cylinder so you get a back brake that works standard ones are crap

WOW are "Miles king Sport"v still going. I bought my first brand new bike from them in 1980.
A Suzuki GP100N (disk brake model)
Here is a picture of me with it after bring it home from Miles King Sport...

Ahh, look at that. The start of many years of biking, eh?

Bash Hat said:

View attachment 3724

I'd sell you mine but it might be a wee bit too far for you to ship! I'm dying to get my hands on a V4T. 5,500 miles and pristine!

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Ahh! love the colour as well. I have seen one for sale in that colour and wasnt sure if it was an original colour. I suppose it must be then! haha

JohnnyK said:

Hi Oli,

I'm also in Derbyshire!

Having had various bikes over the past 30+ years (and having been a Ducati Dealer in the past), I bought a mint 07 Tuono Factory R for £5,500 recently - it's an incredible bike. You should be able to get a decent, looked after Tuono within your budget. I was tempted to buy from a (non-franchise) dealer, until I checked the feedback on them - and avoided them, although they have a big selection. There are enough decent dealer and private bikes around, so just have a look round

Most owners are knowledgeable and look after their bikes - just ask the right questions. All bikes / makes have their foibles and peculiarities - try no to worry too much about this. A Tuono is not a VFR, and will require more looking after - but not as much as a Ducati.

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Nice to see somebody on here local. You're only over the hill from me. I'm in Buxton.

Ah the cleaning and maintenance isnt an issue. I'm very anal about my bikes, not happy with anything unless its perfect. The VFR was just like a new one condition wise, but actually 14 years old. I sold it today! So now im really seriously looking for a Tuono.

Theres one in Doncaster J&S that i like the look of actually. 5k miles on it, but it is a little over the higher end of my budget.

Cheers
Oli

daveuk said:

there is a nice one in mileskingsport in hull in white think is on a 10 plate looks standard .I hive a 07 gen 2 only thing I would recomed is getting some different pegs and move the master cylinder so you get a back brake that works standard ones are crap

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Cheers Dave. When you say moving the master cylinder. Is that to a lower or higher position or something? Ive heard the back brakes are crap, but the fronts are fantastic.

Welcome to the mad house.
You will find anything and everything there is to know about Tuono's here.
The rear master cylinder is mounted on the side of the engine and not far from the front header pipes so gets warm which doesn't help the performance of the rear brake so moving it with rear sets away from the heat source is a good move.

I never had a rear brake problem (09) but I've fitted A/P rearsets , better brake force and gear change seems smoother IMO , plus they look good too ?

Fugly said:

Welcome to the mad house.
You will find anything and everything there is to know about Tuono's here.
The rear master cylinder is mounted on the side of the engine and not far from the front header pipes so gets warm which doesn't help the performance of the rear brake so moving it with rear sets away from the heat source is a good move.

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Ah okay. Thanks for that! Ill look into it once i get one .

Just one more question (im sure ill think of more? Haha). Do all the replacement clocks crack?

Is it fair game to say that if the clocks are cracked, theyre replacements and the mileage might not be true?

I've not had an issues with clocks cracking but misting is quite common but there are mods detailed oin this sight to fix that which I will be doing in the next week or two.

Fugly said:

I've not had an issues with clocks cracking but misting is quite common but there are mods detailed oin this sight to fix that which I will be doing in the next week or two.

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Ah okay. Maybe the cracking isnt as common as i thought then? Ive seen a few used ones with cracks in, one had 2 replacement clocks. Misting is one thing, but a crack would annoy me haha.