2008–2009 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Automatic Gearbox, Real Motorcycle
The Mana 850 is the odd one out in Aprilia's naked lineup, and that is the point of it. A steel trellis frame carries an 839 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-twin making 77 hp and 54 lb-ft. Power goes through an automatic transmission that also works as a seven-speed sequential box when you want to pick your own gears. Ride modes come standard. The part that looks like a fuel tank is a dummy with helmet storage underneath. Most naked bikes are built around clutch work and aggression. This one is a V-twin naked you can just twist and ride, and it still has Aprilia's chassis thinking underneath.
On the road it feels planted and calm rather than razor-sharp. It is stable at highway speed, the controls are easy to live with, and the handling stays approachable once you're moving. The caveat is mass. 538 lb (244 kg) wet is a lot for a naked bike, and there's no ABS or traction control to catch a mistake. Age brings a few known quirks, including a transmission limp-home glitch and cold-start piston slap on some early bikes. Buy it if you want a characterful twin without the constant shifting. If you want an Aprilia that bites, look elsewhere.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 77 hp (57 kW) @ 8,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 54 lb-ft (73 Nm) @ 5,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 839 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 7-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 538 lb (244 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've gathered what Mana owners tell me in paddock conversations, at club nights and in the messages they send me directly. The pattern is clear. Riders like the gearbox concept, the engine's durability and the chassis, and their gripes center on weight and running costs.
The transmission gets the most talk. Owners describe it as a bridge between scooter and motorcycle. It's effortless in automatic mode in town and more involving when they pick their own gears on an open road. Many report the V-twin running trouble-free into the tens of thousands of miles. Riders also say the chassis corners with real stability despite the weight. Some mention that the storage bay goes further than they expected, with a 12V socket and a light inside.
The most common gripe is weight, which owners say takes the edge off performance. A few mention vibration at highway speed that tires them on longer rides. Others point to a gearbox that coasts when they close the throttle, so the brakes do more of the work when they ride hard. The belt service is the cost owners warn about. Reports put it above $900 every 12,000 miles, and it needs special tools and dealer expertise.
Sidestand drag in corners
When leaned over aggressively, the sidestand grounds out, causing sparks and unsettling the bike. Riders report this as a safety concern during spirited riding.
Transmission limp-mode glitch
A few owners have experienced the transmission locking into a high gear with rough running and a red alert light, forcing a limp-home mode that may clear after a restart.
Cold-engine piston slap
Upon cold starts, some early bikes exhibit a loud thumping noise that subsides as the engine warms, possibly indicating piston slap or little-end wear.
Where this Aprilia Mana 850 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 Mana 850 is actually built for.
On the Dragon's tight bends the Mana is easy to ride and forgiving, but it's heavy and the sidestand grinds when you really push. Good for smooth, flowing runs, not for chasing your sharpest pace.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
This one fits. Relaxed twist-and-go riding, a V-twin with real voice and calm manners at speed suit long Hill Country loops, and the helmet stowed under the tank makes every BBQ stop easy.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
Straight talk: 77 hp and 538 lb won't satisfy a rider who lives for canyon pace. It does make the LA traffic leg painless, so it only fits if the commute matters as much as the curves.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
