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Sep 16

Dynojet to Launch Its Power Vision Product for 2021 Harley-Davidson Touring & Softail Models

By General Posts

A world leader in developing and manufacturing performance enhancement products for vehicles is slated to unveil a new product.

NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Representatives with Dynojet Research, Inc. announced today that it will soon launch its Power Vision product for the 2021 Harley-Davidson.

Dan Hourigan, Vice President of Product Management for Dynojet Research, Inc., explained that the Power Vision for 2021 Harley-Davidson Touring and Softails models (part number PV-3B) is slated to launch around Oct. 1. Dynojet Research, Inc. is the world leader in the manufacturing and development of performance enhancement products and tools. The company’s EFI tuning devices, diagnostic products and personalized services empower customers with the necessary resources to maximize performance and efficiency.

As it relates to its soon-to-launch Power Vision product, Hourigan pointed out that some 2021 Harleys use a new ECU that required ground-up development efforts, while other models are already supported. The models using the new ECU include Touring, Softail, Pan-America, and Sportster S. The Power Vision PV-3B will support Touring and Softail to begin with, and then additional support will follow. The current Power Vision PV-2B already supports the remaining 2021 Harleys like the Sportster and Street 500/750.

“No matter your brand of motorcycle or style of riding, our EFI tuning devices can help optimize power, torque, improved rideability, overall speed and fuel-efficiency,” Hourigan stressed before adding, “With our extensive library of dyno-tested tunes and the ability to flash your ECU at your convenience, you’ll have a tune for any combination of parts on your next adventure. Our Power Vision easily connects to your motorcycle through the OEM diagnostic connector, so installation is a snap. You can then flash your bike and unplug the device, or you can use it as an instrument panel for more information on your fuel efficiency, engine temperatures, air/fuel ratio, and more.”

Hourigan noted that its product was also built to last with a weather and shock-resistant design.

“Our Power Vision for Harley-Davidson even has a unique autotune capability that can monitor specific data from your Harley while you ride and create a specific custom tune suited just for your parts and riding style,” Hourigan said. “Our Power Vision can hold multiple tunes right on the device and flash them without the need of a computer. It also allows you to alter the tune with our exclusive “Quick Tune” feature, which means that you can reflash your ECU changing conditions and fuel quality right from the road. Keep a tune available to suit your needs, from maximizing MPG’s to flatout grudge match power, the flexibility to change tunes is at your fingertips.

Additional features and benefits include:

● Flash performance tunes via OEM diagnostic connector directly to your ECU, no need to remove ECU or add additional electronics

● Display vehicle data channels in real-time, even set alarms

● Weather-resistant for use in all conditions

● Full color touchscreen display

And more.

“It’s not just a flash tuning device, the Power Vision is also a powerful monitoring and diagnostic tool that provides peace of mind while you ride,” Hourigan said. “The data can also be logged and analyzed using our Power Core Software to help you improve your tune. It also has embedded features such as Autotune, Quick Tune, DTC read / clear, and much more to make it the ultimate EFI tool for your Harley.”

With over four decades of experience, Dynojet, a member of SEMA, has relied on state-of-the-art technology to provide its customers with the best products available. Its philosophy stands behind the belief that its customers are number one. Individualized attention is given so that customers can take full advantage of the products it offers.

When it comes to service, Dynojet Research prides itself on customer service. The company’s team is always standing by to answer any question customers may have about its wide range of products, from dynamometers to EFI tuning devices.

For more information, please visit www.dynojet.com/about-us and https://www.dynojet.com/blog/.

About Dynojet Research, Inc.
At Dynojet Research, our mission is to make every ride the ultimate ride. All of our products, from EFI tuning devices to clutch kits, were made to help your motorcycle, UTV, or other vehicles keep up with your ambitions and exceed your expectations. Our team is made of racers, outdoor enthusiasts, and rebels, so we have the years of experience both on and off the road to help you make every ride the ultimate ride.

Sep 14

Ducati Multistrada V4 Outshines Competition at Alpen-Masters Contest

By General Posts

by Benny Kirk from https://www.autoevolution.com

Engineers and designers from Ducati must be riding high lately as their Multistrada V4 S took an overall victory in its class at the Alpen Masters competition, winning over a slew of competition from different manufacturers.

For those unfamiliar with Alpen Masters, it is an annual competition sanctioned by Motorrad, a German motoring magazine. In this comparison motorbikes for a wide range of segments gather to be put through a rigorous and demanding series of tests to determine which bike is the best manufactured that year.

This year’s test came from the Grossglockner Pass, one of the most famous alpine passes in the world, especially for motorcycles. These tests range from the mundane, like basic acceleration, braking, and handling tests, but also a couple of challenges meant to see what the bikes tested can do under adverse conditions.

The Multistrada V4’s clever new 1,158 cc (1.1 liter) V4 engine performed admirably throughout the battery of tests presented. The engine was lauded for its smooth power delivery and efficient operation under adverse load conditions. As was the in-house developed six-speed quick shift gearbox.

The engine elasticity test, for example, monitors a bike’s acceleration from 25kph (15.5 miles per hour) to 75 kph (46 miles per hour) going up a steep incline with a passenger on board. Against strong competition from brands like BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, and even another bike from Ducati, the Monster.

The Multistrada V4 performed better than all other competitions and placing first overall. It marked the first time such a competition was won by a manufacturer based outside of Germany or Austria.

Ducati announced in May of this year that the Multistrada V4 family has already sold 5,000 units worldwide. If it continues to win high-profile comparisons like the Alpen Masters, that publicity is sure to skyrocket even more.

PRESS RELEASE:

Every year, the prestigious German magazine Motorrad organises the Alpen-Masters, an important comparative test in which motorbikes from various segments compete against each other on the backdrop of the Alpine mountains, undergoing various tests. These include classic challenges such as acceleration, but also the engine elasticity test, which measures how quickly a motorbike in second gear can go from 25 km/h to 75 km/h with a passenger on board while riding up a steep incline, as well as a series of other components such as comfort level, aerodynamic protection and technical equipment. Over the years, the Alpen-Masters has become one of the most prestigious comparative tests in the world, and in 2021 the Ducati Multistrada V4 S came out on top.

Since its presentation in the first episode of the Ducati World Première 2021, the Multistrada V4 family immediately aroused extraordinary interest, being the logical evolution of a successful bike such as the 1200/1260 series, but with new features that immediately made it one of the references in the sector of the so-called Big Duals, i.e. bikes with a strong touring character, but also capable of off-road riding.

The setting for this year’s Alpen-Masters was the GrossGlockner, one of the most famous Alpine passes, especially for motorcyclists. Much appreciated both for the variety of the route and the impeccable condition of the asphalt surface, it remains one of the best roads to test and evaluate the qualities of a motorbike. Here the Multistrada V4 S was found to be very ready and was judged the best bike of the lot with the following motivation: “Mission accomplished. Bologna will be happy, as they have worked so hard to achieve this result. The Multistrada V4 is an excellent touring-enduro. Equipped to the max, it is a tireless companion both for daily commuting and for fully loaded motorcycling holidays. And you can even imagine yourself with it doing a few rounds on the track without being out of place. It was a narrow but well-deserved victory”.

For the record, the new Ducati Monster was also present at the test, where it performed well, finishing in the Top 5. The Multistrada V4 S joins a long list of successes that in previous editions had gone to only German and Austrian bikes, and this recognition is even more important precisely because it was issued by a German-language magazine. This comparative test is also published by other European magazines, including the Italian In Moto.

The Alpen-Masters is just the latest of the awards obtained by the Multistrada V4, which has been able to impose itself in various comparative tests all over the world, confirming the absolute value of the product and proposing itself as a complete bike at 360°.

Sep 14

Zero Motorcycles Announces Early Release of All Electric Motorcycles

By General Posts

by Benny Kirk from https://www.autoevolution.com

If you thought the world of motorcycles would be exempt from the all-electric revolution, it seems that prediction is just plain false. Zero Motorcycles, makers of electric bikes for 15 years, is going to have a real challenge keeping up with demand it seems.

The Santa Cruz, California-based EV manufacturer announced it’s going to release several of its 2022 electric bike models ahead of schedule to satiate what they called “unprecedented demand”. Including the model year 2022 S street motorcycles, DS, and DSR dual-sport models.

Zero Motorcycles claims this dramatic uptick in demand for electric bikes is partially due to lockdown restrictions from the latest public health crisis finally being lifted, creating a surge of riders chomping at the bits to get back on the road again. This desire to get bikes on the road before the end of the 2021 riding season is the main impetus for this change of pace.

The company also claims that demand in the electric motorcycle category far outpaces the demand for traditional internal combustion-powered motorcycles. While this claim can not be verified, the industry-wide shift from petroleum to electric drive in cars over the last five years makes this a more agreeable claim.

Zero’s line of motorcycles coves a wide range of different motorcycle categories, including normal street bikes, street racing bikes, supermoto, and even motocross. The company touts performance specs like a top speed of 98 miles per hour (158 kilometers per hour) and a range of 82 miles on its 2022 Zero S street bikes. With stats like those, it’s no wonder demand is skyrocketing.

It would still no doubt be difficult to persuade most die-hard motorcycle fans on board with the idea of a street bike that makes zero noise whatsoever. But with governments worldwide getting ready to ban the sale of gasoline-powered engines, it looks like EV bikes like the ones made by Zero will be the new normal sometime sooner rather than later.

PRESS RELEASE:

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., (Sept. 14, 2021) – Zero Motorcycles, the worldwide leader in electric motorcycles and powertrains, today announced the early release of Model Year 2022 S street motorcycles and DS, and DSR dual sport models. The release of these new models is to support the consistently high demand for Zero Motorcycles and the continued growth of the company’s dealer network.

The brand that defined the category of electric motorcycles continues to see demand that far outpaces the market appetite for internal combustion engine motorcycles. Though the overall demand for all powersports, particularly dual-sport models, has increased since the onset of lockdown restrictions in early 2020, demand for electric motorcycles has continued to spike upward even well into the calendar year 2021 riding season.

This continued drive to own Zero models has triggered the company’s decision to launch several models early to support demand while riders still enjoy agreeable weather nationwide. The Zero Motorcycles dealer network is the largest electric motorcycle sales channel in the world, and these models will begin shipping now to continue putting more riders on electric motorcycles than any other manufacturer.

“Supporting our dealer network is a key priority for Zero and this early release of select 2022 models is a great way to do that in the face of an unyielding demand for Zero Motorcycles,” said Mike Cunningham, VP of Sales for the Americas for Zero Motorcycles.

Zero recognizes that a critical aspect of supporting the dealer network isn’t just bringing new inventory to market, but also making certain that inventory offers a distinct rider benefit. The 2022 Zero S, DS, and DSR are all powered with the company’s proprietary Cypher II Operating System that orchestrates all of the motorcycles’ subsystems into a transformational riding experience. That includes Bosch ABS which is standard on all three models, motor, battery, and Bluetooth connectivity module to pair the machine to the mobile app for rider customizations. In addition to the industry standard in OS for electric motorcycles, these models also received updated hardware in the form of a full-color, optically bonded, 5” TFT display that is as sharp as the performance of the underlying motorcycle.

The 2022 Zero S naked street motorcycle gets 89 miles of range through city streets, is capable of a top speed of 98 mph, comes in Twilight color and produces 78 foot pounds of torque and 46 horsepower from the Z-Force 75-5 passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent magnet, brushless motor which is supplied energy from a Z-Force 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, and retails for $11,195. The trail-ready 2022 Zero DS comes in a Quicksand colorway and is also powered by the Z-Force 75-5 motor and can achieve 98 mph while getting 82 miles of off-road adventure, carries a Z-Force 7.2 kWh battery, and retails for $11,195. The 2022 Zero DSR comes in Black and is the R-type variant of the dual sport model DS and is powered by a Z-Force 75-7 passively air-cooled, high efficiency, radial flux, interior permanent magnet, brushless motor that is capable of 102 mph while producing 116 foot pounds of torque and 70 horsepower, is fueled by the Z-Force 14.4 kWh power pack, gets 163 miles of range on city streets or off road, and retails for $15,695.

All of these new models are available for order and will be shipping today to all Zero Motorcycles Dealers worldwide.

Sep 01

All-new 2022 Royal Enfield Classic 350 revealed

By General Posts

THE ALL-NEW ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350 – A LEGEND REBORN

America’s markets expected to launch the Classic 350 during the 2022 riding season.

Milwaukee, WI (Wednesday, September 1, 2021) – In its 120th year, Royal Enfield re-envisions its iconic motorcycle, the Classic, with the launch of the all-new Royal Enfield Classic 350. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the iconic Classic 350 motorcycle was launched in the Indian market today, and will be coming to American markets in the 2022 riding season.

The all-new Classic 350 adds yet another new chapter to Royal Enfield’s legacy of building authentic post-war-era British motorcycles that are loved by enthusiasts around the world. The design inspiration of the Classic range can be dated all the way back to 1948 with the groundbreaking Royal Enfield Model G2, the first to have swinging arm rear suspension on a full production motorcycle. As dependable as it was beautiful, the Model G2 served as a strong design inspiration for the hugely popular Classic 500 launched in 2008. The Classic 500 went on to help redefine the middleweight motorcycling space and was an integral part of the revival of Royal Enfield, up until the production of the dependable UCE 500 engine was stopped in 2020. Over a span of 12 years, more than 3 million Classic 500 motorcycles were produced, building an incredible legacy of its own—and now, the new Classic 350 is all set to take up the mantle and further build upon the legend.

Commenting on the launch of the all-new Royal Enfield Classic 350, Siddhartha Lal, Managing Director of Eicher Motors Ltd. said, “The Classic launched in 2008, was a modern and capable motorcycle that symbolized the timeless post-war styling from the heydays of the British motorcycle industry. Its captivating design language and simplicity coupled with dependability catapulted the Classic to global popularity, and it went on to redefine the middleweight (250-750cc) motorcycle segment.

“We’ve paid great attention to every aspect of the motorcycle, right from its stunning look, to the perfection in parts and the touchpoints, to its impeccable riding performance. The engine is super smooth, intuitively responsive and engaging, and has that gorgeous growl on acceleration. The all-new chassis lends enormous confidence while riding, with surefooted handling and agile braking. The motorcycle feels in control and well-mannered around tight corners. The motorcycle is, without a doubt, class-leading, and feels incredibly refined and enjoyable to ride.

“Throughout our history, we have been consistent in our pursuit to build timeless, beautiful motorcycles that are great fun to ride, and the new Classic 350 does just that. The all-new Classic 350 combines this quintessential, retro design with a modern and refined ride experience. We are confident that the all-new Classic 350 will once again redefine the midsize motorcycle space, globally.”

Powered by the modern 349cc air-/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, launched recently on the Meteor 350, the all-new Classic 350 brings in a new level of comfort, smoothness, and refinement to the ride experience. Designed and developed by teams of designers and engineers based at Royal Enfield’s two state-of-the-art technology centers—in India and the UK—the Classic 350 is a product of true collaboration across continents. The all-new chassis is built for superior comfort and maneuverability—designed with improved strength, the chassis encourages more confidence at higher cornering speeds, and feels planted and stable on straight roads. The front and rear suspension has been extensively developed for more comfortable saddle time. With better ergonomics and more confident braking, the Classic feels agile and responsive, further enhancing the riding experience.

The new Classic 350 is set to arrive in North America during the 2022 riding season. Royal Enfield continues to release products dedicated to the midsize motorcycle segment, delivering more appealing and accessible options for riders of all ages and experience levels.

About Royal Enfield
The oldest motorcycle company in continuous production in the world, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901.

Royal Enfield North America (RENA) is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is developing a growing network of more than 140 dealers in North America, including the contiguous U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. RENA currently offers the all-new Meteor 350, Himalayan and the 650 Twins (INT 650 and Continental GT 650) motorcycles, along with a range of Genuine Motorcycle Accessories and apparel.

For more information on Royal Enfield North America, visit www.RoyalEnfield.com/us/en/, www.Instagram.com/RoyalEnfield_NA, www.Facebook.com/RoyalEnfieldNorthAmerica.

Aug 26

Three Amazing Motorcycles You Can Buy Brand New for Less Than $10K

By General Posts

by Todd Halterman from https://www.autoevolution.com

If you’re in the market for a new motorcycle, you could do worse than these three versatile, cruiser-style rides, and the best news is that you can have any of them showroom-new for under $10,000.

And in yet more interesting news, two of the three are American.

The 2021 Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS comes in at a wallet-friendly $7,599 and it represents a middleweight hybrid with somewhat brawny underpinnings. While it’s big and powerful enough to appeal to riders who require sporty performance, it also offers cushy ergonomics designed to suit nearly any rider size, no matter their skill level.

The Vulcan S is powered by a 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin taken from the Ninja 650 line, and it also boasts a wide range of available adjustments for the seat, the footpegs, and handlebar positions. The 2022 models offer a base-model Vulcan S (sorry, no ABS included), and that’s what makes the 2021 model such an excellent value.

For 2021, the Harley-Davidson Iron 883 comes in at the top of the range, and at $9,749, it offers an opportunity to join the HD fraternity at a price that won’t cause hiccups in a tight budget.

The Iron 883 does have the Sportster lineage American riders often prefer, and it’s a bit of a throwback with some stripped-down street cred. Featuring a low solo seat height, nearly naked bike bodywork and the venerable 883cc, air-cooled V-Twin, there’s no doubt it’s an HD. And in a departure, it also happens to be the lightest, lowest, and most new-rider-friendly bike in the HD lineup. For your cash, you get low down bars, a low seat height, and a lowered suspension.

Unfortunately, should you want ABS braking, you’ll find yourself over the target as that feature puts another $795 on the final sticker price.

But the real standout here is the 2022 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty and Scout Sixty, and they tip the cash register at $8,999 and $9,499, respectively.

The Scout Sixty, offering a fantastic 1,000cc motor, is by far the most impressive of the three mentioned here. With a 25.8-inch seat height and weighing in at a substantial 542 pounds, it’s hardly an entry-level cruiser. Sporting a 60ci (819 cc) liquid-cooled 78 hp mill, this good-looking and powerful engine helps the Scout blow the pegs off the other two bikes listed here.

But once again, if you want to stay inside the target price, you’re out of luck with the Scout Sixty as the ABS model will ding you an additional $800.

Whichever way you go, all three of these bikes will provide a ton of value and some needed thrills for under $10K.

Aug 24

Triumph Tiger 660 First Official Teaser

By General Posts

from https://www.rushlane.com

The Triumph team have been testing the final prototype of a new Tiger that is set to transform the middleweight adventure sports category and deliver a new benchmark in specification, capability, performance and style.

Triumph Tiger Sport 660 will compete against other adventure tourers such as Kawasaki Versys 650 and Suzuki V-Strom 650

Triumph Motorcycles has just confirmed the launch of Tiger 660, officially christened as Tiger Sport 660. Their latest machine is set to become the most affordable adventure sports tourer from the iconic British brand. A full-fledged hardcore Adventure version of the same is also expected to debut at a later stage.

Ahead of the international debut of Trident 660, a leaked image had suggested that the naked streetfighter would get two siblings- an adventure bike and an adventure sports tourer. Triumph has revealed a camouflaged version of the latter by releasing camouflaged images and a video. Triumph states that testing for Tiger Sport 660 is in its final stages.

Tiger Sport series from the British bikemaker is the road-centric range of Triumph’s ADV line-up. It caters to buyers who specifically want a bike for touring purposes and wish to stick to tarmac more often than getting into broken tracks. The bike is set to be officially revealed in a couple of months, most probably during EICMA 2021.

What’s similar to Trident 660?
2022 Triumph Tiger 660 is based on the same architecture as naked streetfighter. It will feature the same 660cc three-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. This motor is tuned to produce a healthy 80 bhp and 64 Nm of peak torque and the same output is expected to be available for the upcoming sports tourer. This unit will be coupled with a six-speed gearbox with a slipper and assist clutch.

Other hardware components such as suspension and braking setup have been straightaway lifted from Trident 660. Suspension duties will be handled by black colour USD forks and a mono-shock from Showa, although it will be interesting to see if they offer more travel or stuff like preload adjustability. Braking will be handled by a twin front disc and a single rear disc setup from Nissin.

What’s dissimilar to Trident 660?
While Tiger Sport 660 rides on the same 17-inch alloy wheels as its naked street racer sibling, the wheels are shod by Michelin Road 5 rubber. Even though the tubular frame underneath has been lifted from Trident 660, the upcoming sports tourer may get a new rear subframe and swingarm. Since both will cater to a different segment of buyers, the latter also gets ergonomic tweaks.

The rider’s seat is longer in the Tiger with an aggressively raked up tail section. The handlebar is taller and wider and the footpegs are placed towards the centre which results in a more comfortable yet commanding riding posture. Optional side panniers enhance its credibility as a tourer.

Tiger-esque Design
As far as its design is concerned, if put simply put, it is a Trident wrapped under the clothes of a Tiger. The motorcycle wears a typical half-faired design along with signature Tiger styling cues such as a tall windscreen, larger front fender and sleek twin LED headlamps. The big fuel tank and sizeable radiator shrouds further scream its ADV heritage. However, unlike other Tiger models, this one gets underbelly exhaust mufflers.

Aug 16

BMW Motorrad & legendary music brand Marshall enter strategic partnership

By General Posts

from Press Release at BMWgroup.com and from http://www.tradearabia.com/

BMW Motorrad has agreed a long-term partnership with world-renowned British company Marshall Amplification, to raise the innovation and quality of BMW Motorrad sound systems.

The legendary Marshall spirit and the development power of BMW Motorrad will in future be reflected in new innovative products for motorcycles and music, especially in the BMW Motorrad Heritage segment.

For 60 years, Marshall, originally from Hanwell, London, now based in Bletchley, Milton Keynes (UK), have produced legendary guitar amplifiers used by the world’s best musicians. Since 2012 it has expanded their audio quality into award winning headphones and active speakers designed for music lovers.

PRESS RELEASE:
Innovation and premium quality for future BMW Motorrad sound systems.

Munich. Riding a motorcycle while listening to music – both fit well together, as they promise deep emotional experiences and intense pleasure on two wheels. It is not for nothing that generations of artists have dedicated their songs to the experience of motorcycling. “Born to be Wild” is a notable example.

To ensure that beats and basses perfectly complement the ear while riding, BMW Motorrad has long been engaged in intensive development work on its sound systems. With its now agreed long-term partnership with world-renowned British company Marshall Amplification, the innovation and quality of BMW Motorrad sound systems are set to reach new heights.

For 60 years, Marshall, originally from Hanwell, London, now based in Bletchley, Milton Keynes (UK), have produced legendary guitar amplifiers used by the world’s best musicians. Since 2012 they have expanded their audio quality into award winning headphones and active speakers designed for music lovers.

The legendary Marshall spirit and the development power of BMW Motorrad will in future be reflected in new innovative products for motorcycles and music, especially in the BMW Motorrad Heritage segment.

BMW Motorrad will present the first new products resulting from this strategic partnership very soon. Stay tuned to find out more about this on 29 July 2021.

Aug 16

BMW makes big impression at its first Sturgis Rally

By General Posts

by Siandhara Bonnet from https://rapidcityjournal.com

Bikers may see caricatures of themselves in a weeklong mural that will disappear after the 81st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Oleg Satanovsky, product communications manager at BMW, said this is the first year BMW has been in Sturgis and wanted to do “something cool.”

“We’ve never really had a motorcycle that fits as a cruiser,” he said. “Last year we would’ve been here for the first time, but COVID-19 got in the way. Finally we were able to take everything, everything’s been packed up and we were waiting for it to start up this year.”

Satanovsky said people can submit photos by tagging BMW on social media. Throughout the week, an artist will add caricatures to a mural that features a BMW motorcycle and a rider in black and white spray paint.

Two artists from New York worked on the mural, along with another artist who works on caricatures.

After the week is over, the mural will disappear from Sturgis, but it’ll be online.

BMW isn’t selling anything at its stand on the northeast side of Main Street in Sturgis, but it is displaying its new R 18 model motorcycles.

Satanovsky said people are welcome to test drive the new model. Those who don’t have a license but are interested in the new model can sit on a bike that’s held on a stand.

“You can start it up, feel like you’re riding it, shift through the gears and learn how the motorcycle works without having a motorcycle license,” Satanovsky said.

The mural will be on display at the BMW stand on Main Street in Sturgis through Saturday.

Aug 14

Aprilia Tuono V4 Review

By General Posts

by Geoff Hill from https://www.mirror.co.uk

Big bikes don’t come with big scares any more

Back in the day, powerful bikes were thrilling and terrifying, but this naked Italian beauty has all the thrills and none of the terror thanks to a brain that works faster than the rider’s. Well, Geoff’s, although that’s not saying much.

I started doing bike tests in 1846, before bikes were even invented, so I just sat on a fence making bike noises, then hauled out a quill pen and a sheet of parchment and sent in my review to Velocipede Monthly on a passing donkey.

When bikes finally came along, I remember being simultaneously thrilled and terrified by some superbikes, such as the Kawasaki ZX-10R.

You got the feeling that at any moment it would fling you over the hedge, leaving you draped over a baffled cow called Gertrude, although it did get less frisky when Kawasaki fitted a steering damper to later models.

However, I realised at the launch a while back on the Suzuki Hayabusa that I wasn’t a bit scared.

There are several possible explanations for this. Either I’ve taken on board the advice I read from a psychiatrist recently that fear and excitement are just two sides of the same coin in your brain, so when you feel afraid, pretend it’s excitement.

I tried it on my first time back flying after lockdown, and it worked.

Another alternative is that I have become an astonishingly skilled rider, but since that’s highly unlikely, I suspect the answer is that bikes today such as this one are fitted with so many safety features that you’d need to be a complete idiot to end up draped over Gertrude.

I’m talking about cornering ABS, cornering traction control, anti-wheelie control, launch control, adaptive cruise control and so many other controls that before long we’ll be able to send bikes out on their own, and they can come back and tell us what a great day out they had.

And don’t laugh – BMW has already shown off an R 1200 GS which can tootle around without a rider, and that was back in 2018.

Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, just about to climb on board the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory, the Factory bit meaning that it’s got electronically adjustable semi-active suspension, lower bars, better tyres and a more comfortable pillion position than the £15,500 base model.

In spite of the lower bars on the Factory, it’s surprisingly comfortable, even for the taller motorcycling chap, which is a welcome relief from the days when sportsbikes hunched you over like the love child of Quasimodo and Richard III and left you calling by the chiropractor on the way home.

Which left me free to admire the rather useful mirrors and a 5in TFT screen which is much clearer than on the previous Tuono, with bigger, brighter graphics which show you everything you need at a glance, including road riding modes, which can be either Tour, Sport and User, where you can geek out to your heart’s desire. There are also three track modes.

Acceleration, even in Tour mode, is gloriously lusty, accompanied by a visceral howl from the V4, handling is sublimely light and precise, and braking is as brutal but seamless as acceleration.

It’s a bike that’s impossible to unsettle no matter how ham-fisted you are in and out of corners, even on rough surfaces. Remarkable.

I spent a very happy hour getting lost on the rural A and B roads of Armagh, Northern Ireland’s apple country, feeling like I was on a bike I’d owned for years, rather than just picked up an hour ago.

Tweaked fuelling from the old model, and a firm but slick quickshifter to snick up and down the six-speed box just add to the feeling that this is a very well-sorted package indeed – fast but safe, agile but stable, and sporty but comfortable.

Switch to Sport mode, and it’s as if the bike’s been given a large and probably illegal dose of steroids, and yet even with the suspension firmer and the acceleration even more ludicrously breathtaking, it still never feels unsafe or unsettled, with the bike’s brain working faster than yours can to keep the bike stable under all conditions.

Well, my brain, anyway. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll put away my quill pen and roll up the parchment, since I see a donkey approaching, and the editor of Velocipede Monthly is an impatient sort of chap.

Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory
Engine: 1077cc liquid-cooled V4
Power: 173bhp @ 11,350rpm
Torque: 89 lb ft @ 9,000rpm
Colours: Black/red
Price: £18,100