We’ve had to sit and watch the Euros having all the fun for a year before we could finally get our hands on a U.S.-legal model.
Back in 2002, Aprilia decided to test the waters of the burgeoning naked-bike market over in Europe by peeling off the bodywork from its RSV1000R V-twin supersport bike, mounting up some standard handlebars behind a small quarter fairing, and changing the seat. Labeled the Tuono R, the bike’s 999cc V-twin engine was basically left untouched from its RSV origins, and with race-spec Öhlins suspension, Brembo brakes, O•Z forged aluminum wheels and beautiful aluminum alloy twin-beam frame/swingarm, the bike ended up showing what kind of unlimited performance a proper naked bike could accomplish. The limited production run of just 200 examples was snapped up in days despite its lofty $16,000 price tag, prompting Aprilia to produce a slightly less expensive version with more production-oriented components in greater numbers. The Tuono was a hit both in Europe and with the small but enthusiastic naked-bike contingent here in the States.
Photo Gallery: 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC - Sport Rider Magazine
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