Testing the waters

Right, So is anybody looking to buy a Tuono v4?

I recent had some troubles with my 2011 V4r, Which ended up with me replacing the entire engine (When I say 'I' i mean Griff @ AP).
So now I have a 2011 Tuono V4r fitted with a RSV4 Factory engine (Including airbox, injectors ect.) The engine has had a full service including all valve adjustments and is running perfectly, cant even notice the loss in Torque s the RSV4 engine is just so much smoother at all speeds.

BUT - I have completely lost faith in Aprilia now, I used to love this bike.

It has the later model riders seat (Grippy and very comfortable), Austin racing Carbon Fibre exhaust (Flapper still active - Doesn't bother me), Rizoma Bars and the a full set of GB Racing engine covers & frame sliders inc cotton reels.

If anybody is interested just let me know, I am still undecided right now as its a great bike.

I would also add, Griff couldnt use the Magnesium engine covers due to the previous owner using some dodgy adhesive for some carbon covers, It ruined the paintwork on them so my Black v4r covers were used, I have the entire v4r engine and the Mag covers if wanted though.

Oh dear, sad to hear this but understand, I wonder if there are any V4s out there that make 20k mls plus ???

I do wonder, I cant say many get used enough to see that kind of mileage and a fair few of the ones that do see some serious miles tend to pop. My Tuono Engine failed at 16500miles, That should be just scrubbed in not just ready to fail.

I think the RSV4 is slightly more reliable, A lot less reports of failures from them, Might be due to the different materials used for components, Different stress levels/tolerences... I dont know.

Its just a shame, Ive had a few apes over the years and the twins were fantastic! Just seem a little let down by the V4

Anybody reading this may be slightly put off now...

I was unable to source a spare engine for my bike, the bike shop have managed to source an engine case, so it will be very expensive to transfer all my working engine parts to the new case.
My bike is fully striped down, waiting for the case to arrive, once it is fixed the new engine case has only 8 miles on it, so it will need to be run in again.
Selling it as soon as I get it back

Tiz a shame for both of you..... considered one myself a while back but put of by some of the stories... besides, still love me twin !


Is it just the 1000 or is the 1100 affected too ?

hi Felix we both have the 1000, mine is a 2012 model.

oli216 said:

hi Felix we both have the 1000, mine is a 2012 model.

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Maybe I've just been lucky but I have a 2012 V4 Tuono 1000 with more than 17,000 km. Bought second hand, it had the common refusal to start when hot but a new lithium-ion battery and high capacity cables means instant starts now, whatever the temperature. It has a carbon-fibre Akrabpovic exhaust and a race program and one tooth smaller front sprocket. Since the new cables were installed, I've never had a breakdown and it's as reliable as any Japanese bike i've owned. Oh, I've changed the slippery plank they call a seat for the 2016 Tuono 1100 seat. Still not the plushest of seats but at least I can ride for up to 300 - 400 kilometres a day without crying for help. Light, fast and great handling, this is a keeper. Having said that, I have purposely avoided trying the 2017 Tuono 1100, lol.

Chye
Perth, Australia

David Chye said:

Maybe I've just been lucky but I have a 2012 V4 Tuono 1000 with more than 17,000 km. Bought second hand, it had the common refusal to start when hot but a new lithium-ion battery and high capacity cables means instant starts now, whatever the temperature. It has a carbon-fibre Akrabpovic exhaust and a race program and one tooth smaller front sprocket. Since the new cables were installed, I've never had a breakdown and it's as reliable as any Japanese bike i've owned. Oh, I've changed the slippery plank they call a seat for the 2016 Tuono 1100 seat. Still not the plushest of seats but at least I can ride for up to 300 - 400 kilometres a day without crying for help. Light, fast and great handling, this is a keeper. Having said that, I have purposely avoided trying the 2017 Tuono 1100, lol.

Chye
Perth, Australia

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Hi David, our machines have done closer to 28,000KM.

Mine went at what would be 26000 km, And I had everything that you have too (Beefy starter cables, Lithium Shorai Battery, Carbon can) and it was very reliable, until it popped.

I dont think the RSV4 engine would do the same due to the different components involved, Just keep the T serviced on time and If you can, get a valve check done in between the valve services. It might cost a couple hundred quid or about 400 Aus dollars, but it might save you a couple thousand.

Don't get me wrong, I love this bike, But it broke me when it popped completely out of the blue.

sorry to read of your misfortune, 999. That's horrible.

I do have a question/thought; do you suppose the relatively short engine life had anything to do with 2011 being pretty early in the model life cycle? Wasn't that the first year for Tuono v4? As such, maybe some glitches in what after all is a highly complex/sophisticated unit, which is in reality pretty close to a race bike with headlights? (And how long do race bike engines last?)

I'm constantly amazed at how reliable most modern bikes are, and I guess also amazed that's taken for granted now? Some/many riders seem genuinely surprised when she's a no go?

Maybe it's me.

I do kinda recall when if you rode you fully expected to break down regularly if not often often on the Harley's, Triumphs, BSA's, even BMW's of that pre riceburner era. Or at least to be fiddling with them constantly. (does anyone remember contact breaker points? kickstarters that didn't, Zener diodes that died?) I still have some of that attitude I guess. Maybe these bikes (TV4's, RSV4's)) are more of an anachronism then I realize?

Just some thoughts. It's a bummer situation you had. It would take a lot for me to swear off these amazing, soulful, crazy powerful bikes is my point.

cheers, anyway.

I wouldn't say it was the first models as the RSV4 had been around for a couple years already and that engine should have had the niggles worked out, But It is the first year of production of the Tuono V4.

I believe the failure was down to the the different parts used at the top end, The Tuono has a less aggressive cam overlap adn the valves are made from a different material (RSV4 was Titanium valves i think), the valves in my Tuono failed from stress, They weren't tight but they just couldnt handle the environment, It's a poor design flaw on Aprilia's side.

The only problem would be that Aprilia, didn't find it (Due to the mileage required to make the stress fracture) and they would be too slow to implement a fix (Think of the hot start issue - Took them 3 years to work that one out , and they found out about that one almost immediately.)

Like I said though, i love the bike. It's great to ride and for the most part, the reliability has outmatched any Jap bike I've ever owned.

Thanks for the info!

Coming up on 9k miles on my ‘12 Tuono V4, and it too has been
reliable, aside from hot start issue and faulty speed sensor!

additional questions, please, re your experiences:

1.: how would you rate your riding style? Scale of 1 to 10: aggressive,wheelie popping redliner(10)
to “life in the slow lane/finger on the brake lever” (1.)

Did you ever race the bike?

Good luck w/ your future ride(s)!

I was probably a 5 most of the time, Sure I would have some fun and crack the throttle wide occasionally but equally I was just out for a chilled out ride.

Never tracked the bike in my ownership.

I would look at checking the valves a little earlier for peace of mind.