60 vs 90 degrees..

Steve, considering the displacement is equal, the Aprilia has some stronger points. It winds up about the same, but is a little more buzzy. That is probably the 60 degree issue. Also I think the fuel injection is a bit more abrupt off of the bottom, when you go from closed to open. The slipper clutch is wonderful. The bike has lot's more *** everywhere and weighs a full 30 pounds less than a TLS (40 or so less than a TLR). I find the brakes are great, better than my 07 Gixxer with EBC pads and lines (my gixxer has an old set of TLR lines I used on the SV I built.)

The Tuono is God's Gift to the wheelie impaired. If you cannot wheelie a Tuono, you shouldn't ride at all. I did a long *** balanced wheelie or two Saturday, so I can attest it is a wonderful wheelie bike.

The gas mileage is 35 mpg or so, very similar to the TLR. It is easier to work on, all the parts are lighter and I think the maintenance intervals are a little longer.

Hands down, I would rate the Aprilia as a much much better TL. :thumbup

:thumbup

btw I did a back to back dyno run with my S and two Tuono's and the Tuono's didn't make more power the S (anywhere in the curve)..or these two didn't - they were stock save exhaust, airbox mod of some sort and mapping IIRC). I think the riding position and lighter weight make them feel quite a bit stronger though:hail


btw Burn was there to collaborate the story:deal

I would not disagree with that. I would think the Tuono motor is stronger than the TL, but I never dyno'ed my TL's and certainly not my Tuono. Interesting thought.

I thought it would be too, but there were two different T's at the dyno day. Now this was a few years ago so the T's were not the current version I imagine. My TLS had a filter, akro system and PCII (with a made-by-me hack of a map:laugh). The difference in peak power wasn't huge - 2-3hp, there was a bit larger difference at 5k IIRC. I still have the TLS sheet but never got copies of the sheets from the other days so that's going on memory which may not be the best:laugh

doug is there a difference in engine braking?

-:banana

Oh, also IIRC the T is geared lower than a TLS which would also add to it feeling stronger I think.

Yes it is geared 17/42 stock. I think mine is 16/42. The speedo is off of the rear wheel so gearing isn't an issue. Engine braking is similar, but hard entries are damped a bit by the slipper clutch function. You get decent engine braking, but it is controllable. Very similar. The Tuono has a better FI system, never surges, only issue is it's abruptness when cracking it open. Once you are used to it, that isn't an issue either. Basically the Tuono is a better TL in all areas. Mostly the chassis and brakes make the bike. But the V-Twin is sweet. Plus the dang things are pretty cheap right now for the first generation models. I recommend them, I want another one. The Gixxer's days may be numbered :dowhat

another one? i wouldn't put it past you :laugh

-:banana

Done 500km on the 999.

The 90degrees engine is more smooooooth running and gives the feeling of a more constant accelaration, where the ape motor is much more like a boar, grunting, great engine braking, and by accelartion explodes at 6-7000rpms

Both great engines, but personally prefers the 60degress