2016 Aprilia Tuono V4, Be My Valentine?

A Love Note To Aprilia’s New Tuono V4 1100

2016 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100

You want thrills? Twist the loud stick on the 1100. Tuono means "thunder" in Italian, and it's an appropriate name for this beast. From its thunderous sound to the way that V-4's power pulses shake your core, this isn't just a motorcycle, it's an experience.©Motorcyclist
The 1100's extra displacement doesn't add a lot of peak power compared to the previous model (155 hp versus 149, and 179 lb.-ft. of torque compared to 172), but the midrange hits a lot harder. While the previous bike didn't wake up until 7,000 rpm or so, this one is all business from idle on up. That means instant wheelies in any of the first three gears.©Motorcyclist

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner (it’s this Sunday!), most people will think of love, flowers, and chocolates any time that consonant “v” sound leaves someone’s lips. But for me, my brain auto-fills to “V-4.”

I'm in love with Aprilia's V-4s, and their latest creation, the 1,077cc monster that's in the new Tuono V4 1100, is simply incredible. I literally giggle every time I thumb the starter and that massive motor barks to life. There's nothing that sounds like it, and there's nothing (save maybe KTM's ridiculously torquey 1290 Super Duke R) that turns gasoline into glee with such force and character.

Naked bikes are supposed to be sexy, wearing only the moto-equivalent of lingerie. The Tuono's undies were reshaped in 2015, so the bike shares the same slim tail as the RSV4 superbike. That bikini fairing cuts a cleaner hole in the air. Good thing, too, because this bike will flash 100 mph on the dash in an instant.©Motorcyclist
Aprilia had to have paid off the EPA to get an approval stamp for that pipe. The Tuono sounds delicious. It's loud enough to capture your attention and carries enough bass to tickle your stomach. That's a 200-series Pirelli on that red rim. The rear tire gets a workout, while the front tire spends most of its time hovering above the pavement...©Motorcyclist

Forget for a moment that the Tuono V4 1100 Factory has seriously trick suspension, incredible brakes, and a frame that could stand as sculpture. All it takes is that angry thundering rumble and the shuddering feel of that 60-degree V-4 to capture my heart. The rest of the Tuono Factory package is just frosting on that mega-motor cake. It really is something special.

So, like a scrapbook of pictures from lovers' dates and vacations, here's a smattering of special moments the Motorcyclist staff has had with the previous Tuono V4. As for the heavily updated 2015 bike, it's better in every way, and we'll fill you in on all the wonderful details with a full road test in the near future.

CLICK On These Special Tuono Moments: