As of yet (12/17/08) I have not taken delivery of my T but am just CHOMPING at the bit to get on it.
My path started with various airheads(fun and easy to work on), then a R12GS (meh!:no), followed in succession by two 950 ADV's, here is where my love of Rotax twins began. Made trips to Alaska and NWT on those and never saw the countryside, just one big blur. Those engines just beg to be fed and the 950 adv's chassis' were remarkably competent in the twisties despite being an adventure tourer. I soon realised the most enjoyable part of my trips were those intermittent canyon sessions along the way. I've had a R12RT which I hoped could provide the comfort to do the distances AND still be a hoot in the canyons...,well you know the rest.
Now for local action I have been enjoying a nifty little 690SM, yes the funny looking one with the Spy vs. Spy beak. It is by far the best street thumper there is but it is also very narrow focused; city scrapping and hairpin to hairpin stuff only. Well soon enough the horizons were calling me again and I was looking for a larger and sharper tool. Narrowed it down to the Tuono and the regular SD990. The 950SM was just too upright for mile munching. The SuperDuke is widely thought to have off idle fuelling issues however which can be fixed w/ lots more cash thrown at it, but wtf at $15 large that bike should be sorted right out of gate. Many riders in the UK still seek out the carbed 950SM over the FI 990SM for this very reason. This brings us to the Tuono. I had not considered Aprilia as a brand before, I kept hearing grumblings about the finicky engines on the R/SXV's from fellow riders but also realised those engines are churning out huge numbers for size. Well I sat on a Tuono the other day and I just sat there some more. Love the riding position; upright, yet aggressive, very comfortable and commanding posture, the SD however has your feet dropping straighdown like a dirtbike. Long, long story short, I find a brand new left over 07 Factory I can have for USD $10,600 OTD :yes hmmhuh yessir can do. So in three weeks I go pick up my new adventure sports bike.
My path started with various airheads(fun and easy to work on), then a R12GS (meh!:no), followed in succession by two 950 ADV's, here is where my love of Rotax twins began. Made trips to Alaska and NWT on those and never saw the countryside, just one big blur. Those engines just beg to be fed and the 950 adv's chassis' were remarkably competent in the twisties despite being an adventure tourer. I soon realised the most enjoyable part of my trips were those intermittent canyon sessions along the way. I've had a R12RT which I hoped could provide the comfort to do the distances AND still be a hoot in the canyons...,well you know the rest.
Now for local action I have been enjoying a nifty little 690SM, yes the funny looking one with the Spy vs. Spy beak. It is by far the best street thumper there is but it is also very narrow focused; city scrapping and hairpin to hairpin stuff only. Well soon enough the horizons were calling me again and I was looking for a larger and sharper tool. Narrowed it down to the Tuono and the regular SD990. The 950SM was just too upright for mile munching. The SuperDuke is widely thought to have off idle fuelling issues however which can be fixed w/ lots more cash thrown at it, but wtf at $15 large that bike should be sorted right out of gate. Many riders in the UK still seek out the carbed 950SM over the FI 990SM for this very reason. This brings us to the Tuono. I had not considered Aprilia as a brand before, I kept hearing grumblings about the finicky engines on the R/SXV's from fellow riders but also realised those engines are churning out huge numbers for size. Well I sat on a Tuono the other day and I just sat there some more. Love the riding position; upright, yet aggressive, very comfortable and commanding posture, the SD however has your feet dropping straighdown like a dirtbike. Long, long story short, I find a brand new left over 07 Factory I can have for USD $10,600 OTD :yes hmmhuh yessir can do. So in three weeks I go pick up my new adventure sports bike.
Joined Sep 2008
30 Posts | 0+
Carlsbad
I too had the BMW mindset. Had an R1150RS for 6 years and thought I had a bike I'd be happy with forever. Until I got on a T. I also had the same experience as yourself. I rode a KTM Adventure 990. Loved the engine but not the ergos. At that time I didn't know a thing about the Rotax engines. Then I rode the Tuono R and thought, this engine feels just like the KTM. After riding the T twice I made the decision to buy it. The rest is history. Each time I ride it I enjoy it more. And you will too. Enjoy the best streetfighter/all-around bike on the planet!:cheers
Bonz
Bonz
:cheers Bonz. The wait is killing me and I have not even ridden a Tuono yet.
I still miss that 950 adv, it had everything I found missing on the R12GS. The GS is certainly a sales success, but to me was barely more than just 6 feet of motorcycle :dunno
I still miss that 950 adv, it had everything I found missing on the R12GS. The GS is certainly a sales success, but to me was barely more than just 6 feet of motorcycle :dunno
Joined Sep 2008
30 Posts | 0+
Carlsbad
Remember to tell us when you take delivery and ride the Italian Stallion. I'd bet you will be full of accolades for the T. When I first demo'd the bike I thought it might be a bit too much engine, coming from the BMW. I found it was much easier to ride than the R bike. And much mor fun!
As I tried to explain to my wife, who doesn't ride. The BMW ia like vanilla ice cream. The Tuono is like a banana split with jamoca almond fudge, cherries and whipped cream, and can go like a bat out of hell if you so choose.
Ridesafe.
As I tried to explain to my wife, who doesn't ride. The BMW ia like vanilla ice cream. The Tuono is like a banana split with jamoca almond fudge, cherries and whipped cream, and can go like a bat out of hell if you so choose.
Ridesafe.
Why Tuono?
Newbie here,
Great forum and great bike stories. Been riding since I was about 10. 49 now. After reading about the T in a mag in 2002 I think, I had to have one!!
I got the first one I could find at a dealer right near my house. (OldTSDoug & Kid Thunder....SN0000003!)....:cheers
Best bike I ever had!! Had to sell it a year later (no excuse given or acceptable ...I know :banghead).
Had a bunch of bikes since...Ducati's and a RC51.
Can't wait to get another Tuono! I am trying to decide....Factory or "R".
Sean
Newbie here,
Great forum and great bike stories. Been riding since I was about 10. 49 now. After reading about the T in a mag in 2002 I think, I had to have one!!
I got the first one I could find at a dealer right near my house. (OldTSDoug & Kid Thunder....SN0000003!)....:cheers
Best bike I ever had!! Had to sell it a year later (no excuse given or acceptable ...I know :banghead).
Had a bunch of bikes since...Ducati's and a RC51.
Can't wait to get another Tuono! I am trying to decide....Factory or "R".
Sean
I bought mine about a week ago, I have been riding a Blackbird for 10 years and it was begining to make the old wrists ache - I am 65, here is a pic, the rear seat cowl needs painting as it is a bit scratched, it is a bit dirty as I cannot stop riding it
I have kept the Blackbird for nostalgic reasons
also in the stable is a 1955 Triton
and a 1965 Tiger 100
I have kept the Blackbird for nostalgic reasons
also in the stable is a 1955 Triton
and a 1965 Tiger 100
Joined Jul 2008
724 Posts | 0+
North Queensland, Oz
Isn't that the best kind of bike to have - one you can't stop riding?:yes
Nice collection Hallspeed. Thanks for sharing with us.
Could you elaborate by giving us some details on the Triton mate? Is that a Featherbed frame perchance???? Both Brit bikes look immaculate. Lovely:drool
Dave
PS: Welcome to the Zone Hallspeed
Nice collection Hallspeed. Thanks for sharing with us.
Could you elaborate by giving us some details on the Triton mate? Is that a Featherbed frame perchance???? Both Brit bikes look immaculate. Lovely:drool
Dave
PS: Welcome to the Zone Hallspeed
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Hi Dave,
thanks for comments - I bought the Triton as a half finished project, it is a wideline featherbed frame, T110 engine fitted with a 9 stud bonnie head, with splayed inlet ports and twin amals, it uses a norton gearbox, has dunlop 19" alloy rims, 5 gallon manx type tank in fibre glass, I would prefer an alloy tank but can't find one yet, manx type seat and mudguards, and the exhaust is a T120C with no silencers whatsoever, you can get away with that on a classic. Most of the bits came from E bay.
cheers also Dave
thanks for comments - I bought the Triton as a half finished project, it is a wideline featherbed frame, T110 engine fitted with a 9 stud bonnie head, with splayed inlet ports and twin amals, it uses a norton gearbox, has dunlop 19" alloy rims, 5 gallon manx type tank in fibre glass, I would prefer an alloy tank but can't find one yet, manx type seat and mudguards, and the exhaust is a T120C with no silencers whatsoever, you can get away with that on a classic. Most of the bits came from E bay.
cheers also Dave
Can't stop riding. That is the best kind of bike. :cheers
Back to the top, why a Tuono?
I stopped for lunch today at the Rustic Canyon Grill.
Guy parked his Guzzi Griso next to my Ape.
Tells me he has a few other Guzzis. Loves the Tuono, did some test rides, but hasn't got the self restraint at 53 yo to keep his license if he owned one. I can grok that. I guess Guzzi is kind of the Italian Harley, same engine design since the 1940's. :rolleyes
Didn't get his name. Seemed a good dude though. Almost sounded like an aprilia salesman he spoke so highly of the bike. :yes
Joined Jul 2008
127 Posts | 1+
New Forest, England
Hi there, hallspeed, I'm same age as you, live in Hampshire, close to the forest. I have my second Tuono plus my little used R1. Nowhere near the fun of my T. Reason for the message is that as you have a pair of great looking Triumphs and a Tuono - do you know Dave & Terry two Triumph owning Aprilia dealers? Perhaps we might meet up some time. Where are you in Hants?
Happy New Year
Neil
Happy New Year
Neil
A 30 minute test ride on a Tuono after a year on an 04 fireblade was a revelation, love at first ride. Did the deal there and then.
Hi Neil, I don't know the chaps you refer to, it sounds like I should, where are their dealerships?
We could certainly meet up sometime, I live in Church Crookham near Aldershot. At the moment it is a bit nippy for long rides but come the warmer weather........
We could certainly meet up sometime, I live in Church Crookham near Aldershot. At the moment it is a bit nippy for long rides but come the warmer weather........
