Aprilia Tuono V4 2020 — Specifications

Imagine the V4 of an RSV4 unleashed, perched on a naked chassis, with a high handlebar and a declared will to crush everything in its path on corner exit. That is exactly the promise kept by the Aprilia Tuono V4 since its launch, and the 2020 version pushes this logic to a point that few manufacturers would have dared to cross. Noale has always had this habit of treating its roadsters like disguised supersports, and in this hyper-naked segment, no one plays in the same league.

The engine is at the heart of everything. This 1077 cm³ V4, with a short bore of 81 mm and a stroke of 52.3 mm, spits out 221 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 121 Nm at 9,000 rpm. To give you an idea, the standard Factory version produced 175 horsepower before engineers from the racing department got involved. The Sprint air filter and the titanium-carbon Akrapovic exhaust allow the block to breathe in a way that the standard engine had never known. At 209 kg fully fueled, the power-to-weight ratio cuts short any comparison with a Ducati Streetfighter V4 or a KTM Super Duke R 1290. On paper and on the track, the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory 2020 has no direct rival.

But 221 horsepower in a naked bike is not something you improvise. The electronics are the silent orchestra conductor of all this violence. Engine maps, traction control, and adjustable engine braking are calibrated for the track, not for Sunday rides. The color TFT screen displays lap times via an integrated GPS sensor, the bidirectional shifter is standard, and the fully adjustable Öhlins suspensions handle load variations with surgical precision. On the APRC version, a Sachs steering damper completes the picture. It's not a motorcycle, it's a performance protocol.

Aerodynamics also get their share of the pie. The winglets mounted at the top of the fork are not universally appreciated aesthetically, let's be honest. They too closely resemble the RS-GP Grand Prix bike, and some will find that they visually weigh down the silhouette. However, at high speed or under heavy braking, these appendages do their job seriously. The 32 mm Brembo radial four-piston calipers bite down on stainless steel floating discs with a bite that leaves little room for doubt. It’s reference-grade equipment, found on the best machines in the category.

Who is the Aprilia Tuono V4 2020 for? Clearly not for the beginner looking for their first large displacement bike. The 825 mm seat remains accessible for someone of average height, but the temperament of the V4 requires a confirmed riding level. The seasoned track rider will find a machine capable of holding its own against hypersports on the track, as demonstrated by Lorenzo Savadori completing Imola in 1'50'', 4.6 seconds off the Superbike record. The sporty road rider who wants to experience strong emotions on the open road will also find their account, provided they respect legal limits and their own. At €34,900, the price of the Aprilia Tuono V4 reflects the level of development and the equipment on board. It’s expensive, objectively. But it’s also the entry ticket to join the very closed circle of naked bikes capable of playing in the big leagues.