2012–2018 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
The Automatic That Actually Rides
The Mana 850 is Aprilia doing something its buyers rarely ask for: a naked bike without a clutch lever. The liquid-cooled 839 cc 90° V-twin makes 76 hp and 58 lb-ft and drives through an automatic transmission. You can simply twist and go, or take over with sequential shifts from buttons on the handlebar. ABS and ride modes come standard. Then there's the part that surprises people. The tank is a dummy, and underneath it sits a helmet-sized storage compartment. Wrap all of that in a steel trellis frame, build it with real care, and you get the most practical Aprilia you can buy.
On the road it rides like a proper motorcycle, not a scooter in disguise. It stays stable at speed, places easily and talks to you honestly through the bars. The manual override lets you hold a gear when you want engine braking. It suits the rider who wants V-twin character without clutch work, in town during the week and on a relaxed loop at the weekend. The build is solid. The honest caveat is weight: 505 lb (229 kg) wet is a lot for 76 hp. The fork has no adjustment, and there's no traction control. Don't expect the savage bite Aprilia is famous for.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 76 hp (56 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 58 lb-ft (78 Nm) |
| Displacement | 839 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 505 lb (229 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
| Fuel economy | 37 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've heard plenty about the Mana 850: in the paddock, from owners, at club nights, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners enjoy living with it every day, and their complaints come down to highway buzz and what happens when it needs a dealer.
The automatic mode gets the most praise. Riders consistently say it makes stop-and-go traffic stress-free, and they like switching to the seven simulated steps on the handlebar buttons when they want more involvement. Owners also rate the build highly, and many compare it favorably with Japanese rivals. The padded seat and roomy ergonomics get credit for long days without fatigue. Riders also say the frame, fork and twin front discs give confident handling and strong stopping power.
The most common complaint is vibration. At higher speeds some owners feel buzz through the bars and pegs, and on long highway runs it wears them down. Riders in North America also say the dealer network is thin, which makes warranty work, parts and even a test ride hard to arrange. A few owners bring up the belt. It's due every 12,000 miles and needs special tools and dealer labor, and they put the bill at around $900.
Brake master cylinder recall (NHTSA 19V561)
Certain Mana 850 models were recalled for a front brake master cylinder that could fail, potentially causing loss of braking. Dealers will replace the master cylinder free of charge.
Intermittent gear‑mode display dropout / shifting failure
Some owners report the transmission mode indicator (Sport/Touring/Rain) disappears from the dash after pulling away from a stop, accompanied by a refusal to upshift. Cycling the ignition resets the fault. Cause often traced to poor electrical connections or corrosion.
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
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Mana 850 is actually built for.
If you're refining your lines on the Dragon and Cherohala, the Mana leaves your hands free to think about placement. Just know that 505 lb and a fixed fork limit how hard you can push.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
For a Saturday loop out of Austin with a BBQ stop, it fits well: easy, stable, with storage under the tank. It's relaxed company, not the bike for chasing the quick guys on the Twisted Sisters.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
Angeles Crest will find its limits quickly. It's stable and communicative, but 76 hp in a 505 lb bike won't satisfy a rider who wants sharp performance. It's great for the LA-traffic half of your week.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2010–2011
Automatic Twist-and-Go Sportbike
Compare to the previous model →The Aprilia Mana 850 also comes in these variants, models and special editions. Each has its own page covering only what differs from the standard Mana 850 — equipment, electronics, specs and used price.
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 Mana 850. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
