2012–2018 · Tourer · A variant of the Mana 850
Differences between the standard Mana 850 and the GT
The Touring V-Twin With No Clutch
What sets the Mana 850 GT apart is its transmission: a continuously variable unit paired with an Italian V-twin. Leave it in full automatic and you choose between Touring, Sport and Rain maps. Switch to manual and you get seven virtual gears, shifted by paddle buttons or a conventional foot lever. The engine is an 839 cc liquid-cooled 90° V-twin making 76 hp at 8,000 rpm and 54 lb-ft (73 Nm) at 5,000 rpm. It sits in a steel trellis frame with a 1.7 in (43 mm) upside-down fork, and ABS is standard. It's an Italian V-twin that shifts itself.
On paper this is a tourer built around ease more than outright pace. Upright ergonomics, a wide handlebar and a half fairing with windscreen point to long days in the saddle. The 31.5 in (800 mm) seat is a moderate figure for this category. The fork isn't adjustable, the rear shock is adjustable, and a 180-section rear tire hints at more cornering intent than the automatic suggests. Chain final drive and a 4.2 gal (16 L) tank are the practical facts. It's built for you if you want V-twin torque without the shifting work. Scooter ease, motorcycle hardware!
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 76 hp (56 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 tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.2 gal (16 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
The Mana 850 GT (MY2012-GT) builds on the standard Mana 850: 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.
| Spec | Standard Mana 850 | GT | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torque | 58 lb-ft | 54 lb-ft | -4 lb-ft |
I've listened to Mana owners for years: in paddocks, at club nights, in owner chats, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. For the Mana 850 GT the chatter is remarkably consistent. Riders praise the engine, the transmission and the comfort almost in one breath, and the gripes that come up most often are about getting the bike serviced.
The engine is what owners bring up first. They describe a V-twin with character: smooth, strong from low revs, linear in its response, and with an exhaust note they enjoy listening to. The transmission gets the same amount of praise. Riders consistently call it seamless, and several point out that there's no driveline lash at all. It's in town that the automatic mode earns the most credit: stop-and-go traffic is described as stress-free. Owners who want more involvement say the manual mode gives it to them when they're in the mood. Not everyone is fully sold on the engine at speed, though. Some owners mention a vibey feel during sustained high-rpm highway cruising, and even they don't agree on whether it bothers them. Opinions differ there.
Comfort is the other big theme. Riders report long days in the saddle without fatigue, and they credit the spacious ergonomics and a seat they call well padded: firm, but supportive. The fairing's wind protection is rated as decent, with one caveat that surfaces now and then: the stock windscreen can cause noticeable buffeting at highway speed, and taller riders in particular talk about swapping it for an aftermarket one. Then there's the detail owners love to show off. The dummy tank hides a lockable compartment that takes a full-face helmet, and riders call it rare and highly practical. On winding roads the tone turns to surprise: many didn't expect a touring bike to feel this agile and flickable, and the brakes are described as strong and confidence-inspiring. Riders like being surprised that way.
The most repeated complaint has nothing to do with how the bike rides. Owners describe a thin Aprilia dealer network, in North America especially, and the consequences come up again and again: parts are hard to get, qualified servicing is hard to find, and warranty work is a challenge. Some say even arranging a test ride was difficult. A smaller group raises running costs. The CVT belt service comes due every 12,000 miles (19,300 km), and the owners who mention it put the bill at around $900, done at a dealer because it requires special tools. High-mileage riders describe it as a significant recurring expense. And it's dealer work, which leads back to the first complaint.
CVT shifting failure at high mileage
After 20,000-30,000 miles, the CVT can intermittently stop shifting, displaying 'GEAR' on the dash with no error code. The issue may require replacing worn variator bushings or sensors, and can recur if not fully resolved.
Electrical corrosion from weather exposure
Riding in wet conditions without proper maintenance can lead to corrosion in electrical connectors, causing false ECU faults and potentially expensive repair bills. Regular application of dielectric grease or protective spray is recommended.
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
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Mana 850 is actually built for.
Closest match of the three, with a catch: the trellis frame and 17-inch tires suit tight corners, but a CVT takes clutch and shifting out of your skill work. Manual mode gives you seven steps to play with.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
Upright ergonomics, a half fairing and an automatic take the work out of long days. For two-up, fully loaded crossings, 76 hp and a 4.2 gal (16 L) tank set the limits.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
For 200 to 400 mi (320 to 640 km) days mixing curves and scenery, the hardware lines up: upright seat, windscreen, V-twin torque, no clutch work. You'll plan fuel stops around 4.2 gal (16 L).
Made for Highway 1 / Big Sur · Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2008–2009
Automatic Gearbox, Real Motorcycle
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 Mana 850. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
