2014 EICMA: 2015 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Preview

One of our favorite naked sportbikes is getting a larger engine and more power as Piaggio pulled the wraps off the new 2015 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100. Piaggio will actually produce two versions, the standard Tuono V4 1100 RR and the upgraded Tuono V4 1100 Factory.

Unencumbered by racing homologation engine limits, the Tuono V4 1100 sports a 1077cc V-4 engine, achieved by increasing the RSV4-based engine’s stroke by 3mm to 81 mm. According to Aprilia, the larger engine puts out 175 hp at 11,000 rpm, up from the previous Tuono’s 170 hp. More impressively, Aprilia says the new Tuono gets an 20 hp more at 8000 rpm than the previous model. Torque has also increased to a claimed 88.5 lb-ft., with an upgrade over low and medium rpms.

The Tuono offers three selectable ride modes with the returning Track and Sport modes a new full-power Road mode replacing the previous model’s limited-power map.

Aprilia’s APRC electronics package returns, offering traction control, wheelie control, launch control and electronic quickshift. The traction control system has been further refined adjusting the amount of slippage allowed based on the speed of a turn. The system has eight settings, selectable by a joystick on the left handlebar without having to release the throttle. The wheelie control system has three settings with a sportier Map 1 setting.

The aluminum dual beam frame is derived from the RSV4, balancing torsional stiffness and flexibility. The headstock angle was changed to 24.7° from 25.1° while the trail was reduced to 3.9 inches from 4.2 inches to improve agility. The ergonomics have also changed, with a narrower handlebar and the seat lowered about half an inch to 32.5 inches.

Brembo supplies its M432 monobloc radial-mount calipers with sintered pads gripping dual 320mm front discs (stainless steel for the RR model while the Factory version gets flanged aluminum discs). A Brembo two-piston caliper is paired with the 220mm rear disc. The Tuono also comes standard with a three-level Bosch 9MP anti-lock brake system with rear wheel lift-up mitigation.

The Tuono V4 1100 models also receive a specialized version of the Piaggio Multimedia Platform which turns a smartphone into an onboard multifunctional computer. Using the phone’s GPS sensor, the V4-MP connectivity can be programmed to offer corner-by-corner adjustment of the APRC electronics to suit different portions of a race track. The system also provides a connected smartphone with telemetry data and an adaptive race assistant which suggests the optimal points on a track to brake or open the throttle.

Other features include a 4.9-gallon fuel tank, three-spoke cast aluminum wheels and a claimed curb weight of 405.6 pounds. The RR model comes standard with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire and a choice of 190/55, 190/50 or 200/55 ZR17 rear tires. The Factory model comes standard with a 200/55 ZR17 rear tire with a 120/70 ZR17 front tire.

The 2015 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR will be offered in grigio Portimao and Donington blu while the Factory version comes in a special Superpole graphic scheme.

Follow the rest of our 2014 EICMA Show coverage for more information on new 2015 motorcycle announcements.