New bike thread :2003 Tuono, first ride and impressions.

[weeksy]

Well the Tuono arrived tonight as expected and i gave it a run.

First impressions.
Footpegs high compared to last couple of bikes.
Seat is flat and firm compared to the SM's i've been riding.
Condition of the bike is A1. Totally immaculate.
Exhaust sounds nice (Standard can)
Brakes are astounding with the Brembo setup and the Galfer Waveys on there.

Onto the riding... it's a little perculiar for me..I'll be moving the handlebars forward at least an inch or maybe even two. They feel a bit too close to the tank as they are. The gearbox clunks with a big old CLUNK into first. Which i believe is usual for the Tuono box.
Idle is set at 3000, maybe a fraction under, which confuses me... this can't be normal surely ?
Power... bloody hell the Tuono engine is powerful. If someone told me this bike was the most powerful i've ever ridden i wouldn't be shocked. You get a kick in the nuts about 7000rpm as a powerband kicks in, and the grunt continues on from there. I actually found myself going WAY too hot into the first few corners as i had to recalibrate the brain to the change of speed. If you open it hard the front is doing it's best to get up into the sky as quickly as possible, however my riding position soon takes care of that.

Front end is sweet but the back is set far too hard for my local roads, will need to look into that ASAP.

Overall, i'm more than happy with the bike, if a little daunted by the power and performance.

 

[Chunkylad]

Weeksy - get some more Tuono into you lad. She's a beastie eh? Glad o see your wait is over.

Do me a favour and look in a mirror: just to see if you're still wearing the patented "Tuono silly grin"

Dave

 

[weeksy]

 

[Batfastard]

Weeksy

Bike looks sweet, shame it's red though :rolleyes everyone knows the black ones are fastest :yes

Tickover sounds way too high - is the fast idle (left side of bars) still on?

The power comes back in somewhere over 6k with a big rush with the standard 2-1 exhaust system, takes a bit of getting used to eh? :cheers

The bars are a bit high standard - if you want to try different bars you can fit Renthal Fatbars - B&C Express in Louth sell them, I have a pair on mine to keep a bit of weight over the front end.

Rear Sachs shock is a bit too budget for the bike sadly. Best solution is to get an Ohlins unit for it, there are usually one or two on Ebay. If your wallet won't spring to that at the minute they can be revalved etc. DPS Racing in Keighley can do it.

I was told that the problem with the shock is that it's undersprung (unless you weigh about 8 stone). As a result the preload and compression damping are both jacked up to compensate and the back end especially is very harsh and choppy. It will improve if you soften it a bit - out of the crate the suspension is set up for billiard table smooth tarmac.

 

[Batfastard]

One more thing

There alway is isn't there? :rolleyes

Dont want to sound too preachy, but I have had my Tuoldo over 4 years now, so I keep remembering little things.

Radiator Grills.

You can buy them about £70 of Beowulf or similar, or you can make them about £5 from B&Q.

Simple as anything.

Get a sheet of Gold anodized aluminium mesh from B&Q.
Remove the central splitter from between the rads, and the two Aluminium rad protectors each side. Drop the belly pan off.

Cut a piece of mesh to fit in the front of the belly pan, it will hold itself in place, or a blob or two of silicone.

Either fit a single piece of mesh across both rads, folding the ends around so the rad protectors hold it in place, you can join it in the middle if you find that easier.
Replace the bellypan, splitter & rad covers and Robert is your mothers brother.

 

[weeksy]

Idle is now at 1300ish wasn't hard to fix it

Don't worry about giving information or preaching mate, i know very very little about Tuonos. I know so little that i bought a lovely carbon hugger yesterday only to realise today the bike comes with a factory hugger LOL.

What bend of Renthals are you running ?

 

[Batfastard]

I think they are 672, I see you are also on AF1 now, I did a bit of blurb on there somewhere about which bars fit etc.
My sig on AF1 is Batfastard, I'll let you work out why.

 

[Chunkylad]

Glad you sorted your little idle problem there mate.

And as Paul said, although the black ones are faster, the very same colour Tuoldo as yours was the 'other' bike I was tossing up for when buying mine.

AF1 will have an Ohlins shock/spring for you as well:http://www.af1racing.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=932

Also, as per Paul's advice, I made my own radiator mesh protectors. Piece of cake.
Dave

 

[Nobist]

Cake radiator guards ? My missis must of baked them.

 

[Chunkylad]

In your case Nobi - fruit cake

 

[Nobist]

Knew you'd be amused by that Chunky. I've had a Tuoldo and it was indeed a Rouge one. I loved the red and dullish gold frame.
Its a good idea making some rad guards. Might have a dibble at some when I get back off my jollies.

 

[Chunkylad]

My radiators would be damaged by now if not for those pieces of mesh, from the ***** roads around here.

I do love that colour Weeksy. It is unique. Those wavy discs and gold frame make her look a beast.

 

[weeksy]

Just been tinkering.

Already have Rad guards. I think they're home made jobbies, but tehy're bloody ACE. Gold mesh surrounded by a sort of shroud and then lockwired into place. Covers teh 2 rads and what i assume is the oil cooler below.

Also moved the bars a bit and managed to get them a fair bit further forward without them fouling anything.

took 2 clicks off the rear as well to see if that softens it a bit for the B roads.

 

[Nobist]

That colour looks awesome with high level carbon cans. I got a pic if your ever tempted Weeksy lad.

 

[weeksy]

Had another couple of decent rides on familliar roads.I'm more and more impressed with how bloody good the Tuono is.

Coming from a recent set of KTM's and SM's it's amazing to ride a bike with decent sports suspension again... the feeling of being really planted in the corners, the stability and ability to drive out of corners without it getting a bit wallowy.

The front end is 'flighty' to say the least when on the power. If this is standard gearing(not checked) then i'm not sure i really 'need' to drop the front sprocket to be honest.

Nice machine this... impressed.

 

[Batfastard]

Had another couple of decent rides on familliar roads.I'm more and more impressed with how bloody good the Tuono is.

Coming from a recent set of KTM's and SM's it's amazing to ride a bike with decent sports suspension again... the feeling of being really planted in the corners, the stability and ability to drive out of corners without it getting a bit wallowy.

The front end is 'flighty' to say the least when on the power. If this is standard gearing(not checked) then i'm not sure i really 'need' to drop the front sprocket to be honest.

Nice machine this... impressed.

It helps around town, if you find you are riding the clutch a lot in slow traffic to stop the engine stumbling or juddering at low revs, then the lower gearing can help. It doesn't do the acceleration any harm either.:thumbup

 

[weeksy]

It helps around town, if you find you are riding the clutch a lot in slow traffic to stop the engine stumbling or juddering at low revs, then the lower gearing can help. It doesn't do the acceleration any harm either.:thumbup

Around town ?

LOL

don't do it mate... the closest i get to town is the last 300m of my trip as i come off the B roads

 

[Chunkylad]

Good onya Weeksy.

She's a beastie, eh boy? Keeping the front on the ground is the biggest challenge when riding a Tuono mate.