Pictures of the Temptress

And here's what turned my eye and tempted me back to the dark side.......

RBD











Fast, comfy, will tour or scratch, carries luggage, will do 2 up work, and cruise all day at 120 mph with no neck, leg, arm or wrist ache - perfect!

Try one and you will be smitten................

Nice knowin' you guys, ride safe. RBD SIGNING OFF!
RBD

good looking bike there but no reason to go.

--Considered this bike seriously last December and then choose the Tuono. --Still would love to have one in the garage, in addition. Congratulations! Do hang in and give some feedback after you've logged in some serious milage.

You've got substantial reasons for making the committment, so I won't list the positives. I'll just share a few points on why I did not bite on this one. First, from its inception, it produced serious heat. At least one prototype I know of overheated on a two-up tour to Las Vegas, USA. I found a good deal radiating to my leg on a couple of different test rides in cool weather and wondered how I'd fare in summer. However, this may be a plus in the cool, damp weather in your neck of the woods.

Secondly, it was a heavy bugger in slow turns and quick switchbacks. I moved from an Interceptor (about the same weight) because I missed the flickability lighter motorcycling has to offer. For sport touring or the bigger bends, I'm confident it won't be an issue. Third, that battery is really buried and will take some time to access (the T. is likewise inconvient for oil checks/additions, so that's a wash there). If, after time, the bars seem a bit low, you will find limitations in raising them due to issues with striking the faring. Helibars will give you 3/4" rise and stacking some other solutions give a bit more height. Last, it's thirsty, but, hey, you had a T. Rear tire: time to invest in a changing station.

Again, nice choice and please, give us a compare & contrast with the T. after you've rolled up considerable time on the beast. Cheers!

Thanks for the comments guys, perhaps I will hang around and visit this site occasionally as you suggest!

Early impressions of the ZZR are good, so much more power, much smoother and easier to ride, especially two-up. Feels like a very substantial and solid bike, but is nowhere near as cumbersome as I expected it to be.

Just different I guess, but enjoying it just as much as I did the Tuono, whilst giving me more flexibility on fast touring! Horses for courses....................!
Cheers
RBD

RDB914 well horses for courses, but the two bikes are like chalk and cheese....the Tuono is a great plaything with soul and character, the ZZ to me is just a tool to get from A to B fast......non descript....I would be bored stupid long before I got it home. However like I said horses for courses and that is what biking is all about. Wish you all the best with your chosen option !

NJC 1000 R said:

RDB914 well horses for courses, but the two bikes are like chalk and cheese....the Tuono is a great plaything with soul and character, the ZZ to me is just a tool to get from A to B fast......non descript....I would be bored stupid long before I got it home. However like I said horses for courses and that is what biking is all about. Wish you all the best with your chosen option !

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Second that m8.

NJC 1000 R said:

RDB914 well horses for courses, but the two bikes are like chalk and cheese....the Tuono is a great plaything with soul and character, the ZZ to me is just a tool to get from A to B fast......non descript....I would be bored stupid long before I got it home. However like I said horses for courses and that is what biking is all about. Wish you all the best with your chosen option !

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Hmmmn......Not sure about allocating human attributes to inanimate objects like bikes or cars, they may have certain features but that does not mean they have a "character", and as for "soul", that's even more debateable!

All bikes are tools for getting from A TO B fast - are they not?

I accept that the ZZR is not to your taste, however for me the "characteristics" that are important right now are:-

1. All day cruising at high speed - the Tuono is a chore after an hour
2. Two up capability - no chance on the Tuono unless you are married to a midget!
3. Smooth, creamy power and loads of it - all the v-twins I have owned have power but are as rough as a bag of nails at low speeds, constantly slipping the clutch and jerking backwards and forwards like a jerky thing on drugs!
4. The capability to tour and yet be sporty, the Tuono did tour, but hell I got pissed off having to fill up every 100 miles. Yes it's sporty to a degree, but I couldn't keep up the same average speed as my mates due to the windblast, and although it's ok in the twisties, it's certainly no lightweight itself!

In summary, all the bikes I have owned (Gixxers, R1s, Blades, Duke's, Beemer's, RSV's, Kwacks) have had the characteristics I wanted at that specific point in time - and if that's your definition of "Character and Soul" then fine - but don't assume that the Tuono is the only bike that has them and write off the ZZR and everything else as "nondescript" and "boring" just 'cos you don't like it! :dunno

Your comments were pretty arrogant and condescending, particularly to an ex-Tuono rider who has had nothing but praise for Tuono bikes and the Aprilia marque, but merely moving on as my requirements change.

I wonder if you have ever ridden one and thus have some evidence on which to base your comments?

But hey, thanks for your best wishes, and hope I've made my point without wanting to start an argument.........!
Regards
RBD

...dear God man.....what have you gone and done..??? :crazy

Gorgeous looking bike - if you ever get bored on your 180 plus mph ride home - stop taking the mogadon. I'll look out for you around St Mary's Loch and the Beeftub road.
Soul and character - hmmmm!
At what point in the construction do they insert this? They are ALL a combination of nuts and bolts - some just look and sound better than others.
Character - well maybe - I've owned a couple of absolute *******s.
Enjoy the beast - I certainly know I would.

RBD914 Oooooweeerrr Touchy Touchy !!!!!!! :lol
Like I said I wish you all the best with your chosen option !!!!
I did not say that everything except the Tuono was nondescript and boring.......just the ZZR.........only my opinion.
Yes I have ridden evey Kwaker known to man, and rode just about nothing else for around 20 years, was very loyal to the marque, but like you moved on the different things. Sorry If my comments offended, only my opinion on the bike !
Regarding Soul, have you ever done a factory tour and there is always a room they will not let you see...........well thats the soul injection room :thumbup I thought everyone knew that !
It would appear that you have made the right choice, and again I wish you all the best !
For me I will carry on jerking around on a twin for now, I am only in my 50's so do not feel the need to retire onto something too smooth and reliable (only joking)

No offence meant or taken!
RBD

Nice cruize missle!:yes

I had a Hayabusa a few years back. Loved it. Hauled ***, BIG time. No comparison in power to the Tuono.

The Tuono is a grin machine that brings out the hooligan in ya:drool...

That 14, like the busa, turnes you into a bat outta hell.

Can't loose either way!!!! Both incredible machines, just a whole lotta different.