Aprilia Tuono 125 2023 — Specifications

When Aprilia decides to open the doors of the Tuono clan to A1 license holders, it doesn’t do it halfway. The smallest member of the Italian family inherits a serious update for 2023, and that's a good thing, because the competition in this sporty 125 segment doesn't wait for anyone.

The styling work is immediately apparent upon first glance. Aprilia drew from the DNA of the RS 660 and Tuono 660 to reshape the front end of the Aprilia Tuono 125, while retaining the characteristic separation of the optical units that distinguished the previous version. The result is sharper, with thinner LED lights integrating the turn signals, a new lower fairing, and a generous amount of matte black on the frame, engine, and footrests. For a 125 sold for 5,099 euros, the presentation does not disgrace its older sisters.

Under the bodywork, this is where things become interesting. The 4-stroke single-cylinder engine with a displacement of 124.2 cc is legally capped at 15 horsepower at 10,000 rpm, there’s nothing anyone can do about it. But Aprilia has worked on the quality of this power rather than its quantity. New Magneti-Marelli ECU, reworked camshafts, iridium spark plug, redesigned combustion chamber, intake and exhaust completely revised: the DACT 4-valve single-cylinder gains in availability and reaches its 11.2 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm with more smoothness than before. The addition of a 58-tooth sprocket lengthens the final transmission and promises better throttle response. On paper, it’s credible. And for those who want to play racer, a quickshifter remains available as an option.

The chassis, however, doesn't change philosophy, and that's good news. The perimeter aluminum frame, the 40 mm inverted fork, the radial 4-piston caliper on a 300 mm front disc, the asymmetrical aluminum swingarm: all equipment that one looks for on machines much more expensive. The 2023 version further refines this picture with a rear tire widened to 140 mm, Michelin tires as standard, and a new-generation Bosch ABS. With 144 kg fully fueled and a seat height of 810 mm, the Aprilia Tuono 125 remains accessible without falling into anemic lightness. The maximum speed is capped at 120 km/h, which corresponds to the limits of the A1 license, and the announced consumption of 2.6 liters per 100 kilometers gives the 14.5-liter tank a frankly respectable range for daily use or a weekend.

In terms of equipment, the Aprilia Tuono 125 doesn't settle for the bare minimum. The space under the seat has been enlarged to accommodate an 8-inch tablet, the dashboard becomes fully digital with an LCD screen available in white or blue, and smartphone connectivity is possible via the optional Aprilia MIA platform. It's well thought out for a young audience that doesn't conceive of riding without their phone in their pocket.

The question remains that everyone asks before buying or looking for an Aprilia Tuono 125 used: does it worth its direct rivals? Faced with the Japanese models like the Honda CB125R or the Yamaha MT-125, and faced with the KTM Duke 125, the debate is tight. None dominates the other on all fronts. Aprilia relies on its sporty pedigree and aggressive aesthetics to seduce; it succeeds. But it doesn't outperform these competitors, it stands alongside them. For a young license holder who wants a real motorcycle, not a scooter in disguise, the Aprilia Tuono 125 2023 constitutes a solid and consistent choice.