Roadster – Test Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS 2014: strong head! – Technical update Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS 2014

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2014 Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS review: strong head !

Roadster - Test Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS 2014: strong head! - Technical update Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS 2014

Absent from our 2014 maxi-roadsters comparison, the Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS could have stood up to the BMW S1000R, KTM Superduke R, Ducati Monster 1200 and Kawasaki Z1000. Especially in its latest version significantly improved but hardly less exclusive. Test.

Technical update Aprilia Tuono V4R ABS 2014

Engine

Undressed version of the RSV4 Superbike, the Tuono V4R quite naturally takes over the engine, a hyper-compact 4-cylinder in V open at 65 ° of 999.6cc and with very square dimensions (78 mm bore x 52.3 mm race).

Slightly deflated compared to the sports car through the injection (one injector per cylinder, two on the RSV4) and the admission (trumpets shorter and blocked in the high position), this block compressed to 13.1 : 1 still develops the trifle of 170 hp in free version and 113 Nm of torque, a gain of 2.7 hp and 1.5 Nm compared to the previous Tuono V4.

This increase in performance goes through the adoption of crankcases from the latest generation of the RSV4 and a re-setting of the electronic ride-by-wire accelerator. The reduction in internal friction of the V4 but also the improvement of its cooling system and the use of a new exhaust, more efficient but also less polluting and lighter (-2 kg according to Aprilia), also participate in this increase in power and torque.

As on the previous model, the Tuono V4R uses a heavier crankshaft than that of the RSV4 as well as a removable gearbox whose first three gears are shortened. Objective: to promote recovery at low and mid-range. The selection is controlled by a multi-disc clutch in an oil bath, on which is grafted an anti-slip device responsible for regulating the torque on downshifting to reduce any rear wheel sweeps..

The exhaust system, already approved Euro 4 according to Aprilia, receives a valve whose mission is to improve the progressiveness of the engine at low speeds. Above 6000 rpm, this valve opens wide. On the maintenance side, this engine requires an overhaul every 10,000 km and a valve clearance check every 20,000 km.

Part-cycle

In terms of the cycle part, the Tuono V4R is also shamelessly used in the organ bank of the RSV4 in its basic version "R". The perimeter-type aluminum frame, a beautiful piece weighing only 10.1 kg, is carried over as is, as is the enormous 5.1 kg aluminum swingarm..

The geometric values ​​are identical to the previous Tuono (1445 mm of wheelbase and 25 ° of caster angle, in particular), or slightly higher than on the sports car to improve stability. The announced dry weight goes from 183 kg dry in 2013 to 185 kg for this 2014 vintage, which is explained by the adoption in series of an ABS and the increase in the capacity of its tank, from 17 to 18.5 liters.

The fully adjustable suspensions come from Sachs. The inverted 43mm fork is new and receives a titanium nitride treatment to reduce friction, while the mono-shock – identical to the previous model – is equipped with a separate nitrogen cylinder, a process that limits the effects emulsion.

A steering damper is housed between the triple trees to nip the handlebars in the bud. Another difference invisible to the naked eye compared to 2013: the overall rating of the suspensions would have been revised so that they show themselves "more comfortable on the road". In use, MNC has not detected any convincing difference in the behavior of these rigorous and precise elements, but not sufficiently progressive at the start of sinking..

Braking, already formidable in the 2013 vintage, gains even more performance thanks to the use of 4-piston monobloc calipers with radial fixing "M432" from Brembo. The brake discs retain their generous 320mm diameter, while the rear uses a 220mm element.

Delivered as standard in 190/50/17 at the rear, the Tuono V4R is also approved in 190/55/17 or in 200/55/17. In the event of a change in the dimensions of the rear tire or a modification made to the gear, it is necessary to reconfigure the calibration of the electronic aids of the APRC (see below) via the instrument panel..

"We even recommend re-setting the APRC in the event of a change of tire brand, because we notice real differences depending on the more or less "pointed" shape of the tires.", entrusts MNC a technician from Piaggio France who recommends going through a dealer to carry out this operation..

"Even if everything is accessible from the instrumentation, it requires certain skills to be perfectly tuned", he says.

Electronics, piloting aids

Extremely modern, the Aprilia V4 houses state-of-the-art electronics. Cable-free, the ride-by-wire accelerator is a potentiometer connected to the electronic control unit (ECU). Retouched in 2014 to improve its transparency, it acts on the injection after comparing the order requested and the information communicated by an army of sensors (angle of the motorcycle, speed, engine speed, gear engaged, etc.).

As on the RSV4, there are three injection maps that can be selected by pressing the starter on the right stalk: "Track" (track), "Sport" and "Road". With the first mode, reserved for the circuit, the arrival of the cavalry is instantaneous, almost brutal, which tends to accentuate the jolts caused by the final chain transmission..

In "Sport" mode, the 170 hp are distributed more progressively over the first three reports, while the "Road" map cuts the maximum power by around 25%. In the French version, the differences are obviously more tenuous … The "Sport" mode nevertheless remains the most comfortable, while the lower power offered by the "Road" mode is useful in the wet.

Very sophisticated, the Tuono V4 R has been fitted with the APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) system as standard since 2012. The APRC includes an AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift) shifter, an AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control) anti-wheeling adjustable on three levels and disconnectable, and finally an ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) anti-slip.

Ultra fast and transparent, the action of this traction control can be configured while driving, without releasing the throttle or disengaging. You just have to press the "+" and "-" commands (stolen from Mana) to vary its intensity at any time. This ATC has eight notches ("1" being the most intrusive) and can also be disengaged.

The APRC includes ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) departure assistance, a system that Aprilia was the first manufacturer to introduce in series. This function can be set in three positions, and is activated by pressing the "+" and "-" paddles for 3 seconds. Once the ALC is activated, all you have to do is put on some heavy gas, let go of the clutch bluntly, and off you go MotoGP style with the front wheel level with the ground. !

The ALC has its own skating and wheeling management. It is deactivated when changing to third gear or above 160 km / h. Like all the other aids, it is informed by the ride-by-wire, two inclinometers and the speed sensors which are in the form of toothed crowns attached to the wheels..

Finally, the Tuono V4R now receives an ABS as standard, which it did not have in its early days. Named "9MP", this device has three levels of intensity (circuit, road and rain) and its action varies depending on the engine mapping engaged..

It is also possible to do without its services entirely by entering the "Menu" page of the panel, then navigating to the ‘APRC Calibration’ submenu. In this case, a steady orange light remains on on the instrument panel , just next to the one indicating the intervention or deactivation of the anti-skid.

This second generation of "racing" ABS developed by Bosch also has a function to prevent the rear wheel from detaching during hard braking. "Its software is not the standard version developed by Bosch that Ducati uses, for example, but was developed specifically by our engineers at Noale", explains Piaggio France.

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