2013–2014 · Hyper Naked · A variant of the Tuono V4 R
Differences between the standard Tuono V4 R and the APRC ABS
RSV4 Fury, No Fairing
Take the RSV4 superbike, pull off the fairing and sit the rider upright: that's the Tuono V4 R in one sentence. The 999 cc 65° V4 makes 170 hp at 11,500 rpm and 82 lb-ft at 9,500 rpm, and it sits in an aluminum twin spar frame at 461 lb (209 kg) wet. The electronics on this APRC ABS trim cover ABS, traction control, wheelie control, launch control and an up-only quickshifter, with three switchable ride-by-wire maps on top. A slipper clutch and adjustable suspension at both ends complete the picture. Serious hardware!
On paper this bike is built for one job: going fast on a twisty road with nothing between you and the wind. The V4 brings strong pull from low down, and with peak power at 11,500 rpm it keeps going at the top. Its sound is a big part of why people buy one. The rest of the spec is just as clear about priorities: a 4.9 gal (18.5 L) tank, 33 mpg, a 32.9 in (835 mm) seat, no cruise control and no luggage system. That points to an experienced rider who wants power and a sporty chassis first, and comfort second. That's the deal.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 170 hp (125 kW) @ 11,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 82 lb-ft (111 Nm) @ 9,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 999 cc |
| Engine | V4 |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 |
| Seat height | 32.9 in (835 mm) |
| Wet weight | 461 lb (209 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.9 gal (18.5 L) |
| Top speed | 165 mph (266 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Drivetrain
Safety
The Tuono V4 R APRC ABS (MY2011-APRCABS) builds on the standard Tuono V4 R: the upgraded hardware, the key spec changes and where its character shifts. The full ride, specs, scoring and verdict are all right here on this page.
Equipment the APRC ABS adds vs the standard Tuono V4 R
| Spec | Standard Tuono V4 R | APRC ABS | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 gal | 4.9 gal | +0.4 gal |
I've spent years listening to the people who actually live with these bikes: paddock conversations, club nights, owner chats after a ride, and the emails and messages riders send me directly. For the Tuono V4 R, what comes back is very consistent. Riders rave about the engine and the way it handles, and the complaints are almost all about fuel range and comfort on longer days.
Ask owners about this bike and they start with the engine. The description you hear again and again is a soft bottom end, a strong midrange and then an explosive rush at the top. Riders consistently single out the stretch from 8,000 rpm to the redline, where they say the V4 pulls ferociously and leaves every other naked bike behind. Many call it one of the most charismatic engines in its class. The sound belongs to the same story: a good number of owners say the exhaust note was a major reason they chose the bike in the first place. They use the word addictive a lot. You hear it constantly!
The second big theme is handling. Riders regularly describe composure, stability and feedback on a par with a pure sportbike, on a back road as much as at a track day, and plenty of them say it handles better than many fully faired superbikes. The Brembo radial brakes get credit in the same breath. The APRC electronics come up almost as often: owners talk about traction control, wheelie control, launch control and the quickshifter as a huge safety net with track-ready adjustability, something they found rare on a naked bike of this era. Build quality gets steady praise too. Riders point to the polished aluminum frame and swingarm and the Brembo hardware as a level of finish that matches the premium price. Nobody calls it cheap.
The most common gripe is range. Owners describe a thirsty engine, and with the 4.9 gal (18.5 L) tank the low-fuel light often comes on before 90 miles (145 km). On longer rides that means frequent stops, and riders say it gets frustrating. Wind comes up as well, though less often: at sustained highway speeds you sit in the blast, the small flyscreen does little to help, and fast cruising gets tiring. A few owners mention a hard, thinly padded seat that turns painful after about an hour, which they say makes the bike less suited to touring than some competitors. The odd rider also reports snatchy throttle response at low revs, especially in Sport mode, which makes smooth riding in town harder. Ninety miles goes quickly.
Front brake master cylinder recall
A defective pushrod/boot assembly can introduce air into the hydraulic circuit, causing longer braking distances. Affected VINs require a replacement kit.
Overheating in stop-and-go traffic
The V4 engine runs very hot in city traffic at ambient temperatures above 81°F (27°C), causing frequent fan cycling and discomfort. Adequate airflow is essential.
Cam chain tensioner rattle
Some owners report a rattling noise from the cam chain area, particularly on cold starts. May require tensioner replacement or adjustment.
Sachs fork seal leaks
Fork seals can weep oil, especially after extended use or aggressive riding. Re-sealing resolves the issue.
Dashboard misting (moisture ingress)
Early-generation LCD dashboards can develop condensation or misting behind the glass, reducing readability. This is a known issue often mentioned by owners.
Where this Aprilia Tuono V4 R pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Tuono V4 R is actually built for.
You're the best fit here: 170 hp, a superbike-derived chassis and an upright seat suit twisty roads. The V4 is known to run hot in stop-and-go traffic above 81°F (27°C).
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
A strong match, just short of the top one. Traction, wheelie and launch control, an up-only quickshifter, a slipper clutch and adjustable suspension give you plenty to set up.
Made for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Barber Motorsports Park · Circuit of the Americas
It fits the sporty half of your weekend well. For the road-trip half, know the spec: 4.9 gal (18.5 L) tank, 33 mpg, no cruise control and no luggage system. A good match if the curves matter most.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2011–2013
The V4 Scream Machine
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia Tuono V4 R. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2014–2019
The Beast That Actually Works
About the same used price as this bike at 12 yr
Competitor · 2011–2017
Triple Character, Real Grunt
Roughly $1,000 cheaper used than this bike at 12 yr
Same Platform · 2011–2014
Raw V4 With Real Depth
Roughly $4,900 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr