By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked vs Supersport
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (ZD4KZ-Factory) vs RSV4 (MY2010)
Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 vs RSV4: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
Off a closed throttle in Race mode, the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 doesn't need a softer map to let your wrist meter its torque. Mid-corner, the Aprilia RSV4's pull swells steadily under a widening throttle.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Tuono V4 1100 if…
Daily commuting & city riding
By a mile: Tuono V4 1100
When the bike has to work for a living, the Tuono V4 1100 wins the commute clearly. Most of that is easier everyday riding.
The RSV4 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Inches ahead: RSV4
The RSV4 pulls a nose ahead on track. The difference is more lean clearance. Don't count on it doing the work for you.
What makes each one tick
Tuono V4 1100
Fast sweepers are home ground for the Tuono V4 1100: its chassis picks a line at speed and won't wallow off it. Turn-in comes right away, and there's a clear read of the pavement coming up through the front tire. Its small screen calms the blast. The slim tank's room lets you shift across the seat.
Nils rode the Tuono V4 1100 in Hungary and Italy in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
RSV4
Street miles on the RSV4 still feel like a race weekend, and its aluminum frame keeps the bike settled at lean while the front end reports grip with uncanny clarity. A hard grab at the brake lever unsettles the rear. Tires and setup won't erase it. Tuned to its rider, the frame finally shows everything.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tuono V4 1100 has the lower seat: 32.5 in (825 mm) vs 33.3 in (845 mm).
- The RSV4 has the lower wet weight: 448 lb (203 kg) vs 461 lb (209 kg).
- The Tuono V4 1100 has the larger engine: 1077 cc vs 999 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Look at twisty roads and running costs and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tuono V4 1100
Strengths
- Throttle You Can Actually Feel
- Rear Steers You To The Apex
- Faster Without More Horsepower
- Slim Tank, Real Room
- Planted Through Fast Sweepers
Trade-offs
- Too Loud For Long Days
- More Plastic Than A Naked Wants
- Runs Hot In City Traffic
- Soft, Uneven Low-Rpm Power
- Build quality below class standard
RSV4
Strengths
- Real racing feel, not costume
- Quickest turn-in in the class
- Power you can actually use
- Telepathic front-end feel
- Exceptional V4 engine performance and sound
Trade-offs
- No traction control
- Ergonomics punish tall riders
- Potential is setup-dependent
- Engine reliability concerns on early production
Known problems to check before you buy
Tuono V4 1100
- High coolant temperatures and overheating tendency at low speeds The Euro 5 Tuono runs very hot in slow city traffic and when idling at traffic lights, because the radiator and fan cannot shed enough heat without steady airflow. Coolant temperature climbs into the warning range and stays high until the bike is moving at a sustained pace again. Owners report having to switch the engine off during long stops to keep temperatures under control.
- Dog wear in 3rd and 4th gear with intensive quickshifter use With frequent quickshifter use under full throttle and high rpm, the dogs in 3rd and 4th gear wear faster than normal. False neutrals then occur between 3rd/4th and 4th/5th gear. Aprilia has hardened replacement parts available for 3rd and 4th gear. The problem has been documented since the V4 platform and is also confirmed for Euro 5.
- Valve guide failure requiring cylinder head replacement An exhaust valve guide in the rear cylinder can work loose or detach, resulting in substantial loss of cylinder compression during leak-down testing and severe engine power loss resembling an electronic limp mode.
- Noticeable power deficit and uneven throttle response in the lower rpm range The Euro 5 mapping causes a measurable power gap below 5,500 rpm. Throttle response at 4,000-5,500 rpm feels uneven/pulsating. When transitioning from 5-15% throttle to closed throttle, the engine can react jerkily. An Aprilia Race Map or Rapid Bike tuning kit largely resolves the problem.
- Soft paintwork, scratch-prone surfaces, corroding fasteners The paintwork is described as extremely scratch-prone — without adequate clear coat. Graphics/decals in some areas have no clear coat and are quickly damaged by stone chips. Fasteners and washers (particularly mudguard mountings) are not stainless and show early corrosion. Body panels do not fit precisely and have visible panel gaps.
RSV4
- Oil leaks from valve cover gaskets Weeping valve cover gaskets, leading to oil seepage onto the engine and exhaust headers. Some owners report that replacement under warranty did not permanently solve the issue.
What they share
- Engine
- V4
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Tuono V4 1100 | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 33.3 in (845 mm) |
| Wet weight | 461 lb (209 kg) | 448 lb (203 kg) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1077 cc | 999 cc |
| Power | 175 hp (129 kW) | 180 hp (132 kW) |
| Torque | 89 lb-ft (121 Nm) | 85 lb-ft (115 Nm) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.7 US gal (17.9 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| Tuono V4 1100 | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 | 190/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tuono V4 1100 | RSV4 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Not offered |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Wheelie Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Launch Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Electronic Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
