Aprilia Tuono 125 2022 — Specifications

When Aprilia decides to open the Tuono family to A1 licenses, it doesn’t do it halfway. The 124 cc little brother inherits a serious pedigree, that of a lineage that starts with the 1100 horsepower V4 and goes through the 660 twin-cylinder. The Aprilia Tuono 125 is not a simple catalog derivative designed to tick a regulatory box. It’s a genuine proposition, tailored for young riders who want something sharper than the average 125 on the market.

The 2022 styling overhaul is directly inspired by the RS 660, the machine that redrew the face of Noale. The Tuono 125 picks up a slimmer front end, LED lights integrating turn signals, a new lower fairing, and pervasive black paint on the perimeter aluminum frame, the engine, and the footpegs. The result is a more muscular line than usually expected in the category. Some traits of the previous generation remain, notably the separation of the optical blocks, but the whole appears more consistent, more assertive. Those who have had the opportunity to look closely at a used Aprilia Tuono 125 from previous model years will immediately see the difference.

The mechanics have also been revised, within the limits of what the law allows. Limited to 15 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 11.2 Nm at 8,000 rpm, the 4-valve single-cylinder hasn't gained in raw power, as regulations prohibit it. But the work focused on the quality of delivery. New Magneti-Marelli ECU, reworked camshafts, redesigned combustion chamber, revised intake and exhaust ducts, integrated catalytic converter to pass Euro 5, iridium spark plug. The transmission crown has been lengthened to 58 teeth to make the throttle more progressive on exits from corners, which, on a 144 kg (all full) 125, really changes the perceived behavior in everyday use. The displayed consumption of 2.6 liters per 100 km and the 14.5-liter tank offer correct autonomy for urban journeys and small roads. The Aprilia Tuono 125 test reveals a machine that climbs cleanly to a maximum speed of 120 km/h, with no apparent effort.

The chassis, for its part, didn't wait until 2022 to be serious. The 40 mm hydraulic inverted fork, the asymmetrical aluminum swingarm, the radial 4-piston caliper on a 300 mm front disc, the Bosch ABS: this is equipment that shames many direct competitors. The 2022 version adds a 140 mm rear tire instead of 130 previously, shod in Michelin. On a machine of this category, it's not a detail; the traction in curves is felt. The 810 mm seat remains accessible for most builds, and the LCD digital cockpit, with choice of white or blue lighting, smartphone connectivity via optional Aprilia MIA, represents a level of finish that is not often seen at this price.

At €4,999, the Aprilia Tuono 125 price sits at the top of the segment. It won't play on the same ground as low-cost Chinese clones. Its rivals are the KTM Duke 125 and the Yamaha MT-125, two machines that seriously defend their position. KTM bets on an even more rigid chassis, Yamaha on a more accessible ergonomics. The Tuono 125 responds with a more assertive style and chassis equipment that more closely resembles a real sportbike. The Aprilia Tuono 125 opinion from the A1 rider community regularly points to this consistency as its main asset. For a young rider who wants to learn to ride properly without ending up on a motorcycle with shoddy equipment, it's a choice that defends itself without detour.