2003 Aprilia Tuono Racing
Miles: 12,500
Clean California Title
Listed Price: $10,500
Aprilia’s original Tuono was a bit of a revelation when it was introduced. Prior to the Tuono, naked sportbikes were always a bit de-fanged, compared to their fully-faired stablemates. Was that to avoid cannibalizing sales? Who knows, but naked sportbikes from the Japanese Big Four and even Ducati typically featured last-generation frames and engines, with said engines “tuned for midrange torque” instead of maximum power. As I said: “de-fanged.” But Aprilia simply took their RSV Mille, yoinked off the fairing, replaced it with a mini bikini-style job and a set of handlebars… and basically called it done. Same frame, same 998cc, 60° Rotax-developed v-twin making the same 126hp and 74 lb-ft of torque in a package that actually weighed less than the donor bike. Utter madness ensued, and they followed that up with the Aprilia Tuono Racing seen here that was sold in very limited quanities to homologate the bike for a racing series in Italy. The bike was fitted with the expected Öhlins suspension components, OZ wheels, and a couple extra horses, as well as some carbon bodywork and a race kit to turn the roadbike into the race-ready version.
03 Tuono Racing from an extensive collection. All receipts from new including the original sales sticker from the factory (Over 20,000 in 2003) The bike is completely stock and runs and sounds amazing, with all the rider aids in your right wrist. 200 of these were built from the factory and only 50 came to the U.S. The original naked hooligan with the full power engine of the Mille (around 130 hp) The factory race kit will be included to the new owner and will not be sold separately (sorry) A truly rare and exotic motorcycle that will do everything from the racetrack or a tour to Canada. CA registration is current and title in my name so there will be no hassle.This is a very special bike.
The first generation Aprilia Tuono Racing is not a pretty bike, all odd shapes and textures and seemingly mismatched parts, like something out of a Mad Max fantasy, but with better suspension components and really nice paint. I love it. The $10,500 asking price is at the high end, but seems like appropriate money for such a clean example, especially one that includes the all important Factory Race Kit. Miles aren’t museum-piece low, but that Rotax engine is well known for its reliability and the reality is that this bike was meant to be ridden, not hidden away in the corner of a garage. It would surely make for a weird display piece anyway. Better to just get out and ride the thing as it was meant to be ridden.
-tad
Ugly in a beautiful sort of way. The original naked hooligan bike.
Those red stripes on the Tank: if i were to acquire this, i would remove them. And then replace with a red “cobra command” logo. Yeah, i am of that age. If you are too, can you see it?! There is just something with the Aprilia graphics here that triggered me.