They are catching up!

New decals still cant hide that ugly mask.

Don't think I could go back but I must say I would like to try one again

Funny thing is that the "older" 1000 cc version was actually faster round the track with Michael Rutter on board in the Performance Bike naked test than the SD1290.

I have to agree on the look from the front. Can't understand it really, it is a brilliant bike, why they don't redesign the front end and sell heaps?

I like the new front. It looks more like the RSV4 front. Here is a link with some dyne charts, etc. http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/show ... m-TV4-1100 I'll bet its going to be a rocket throughout the midrange, but fall off hard on top. A remap and some better breathing and that thing will be a fooking monster.

It looks great! http://postimg.org/image/iy56k8wpx/

I had another look at more pics and they indeed changed the front, it looks more like a RSV4 now.
I'm a convert!

The Aprilia dealer on the Gold Coast is really good.
They sell KTM, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi.

I tried a 2013 Tuono demo last year. I'm 6'1" long legs and wasn't convinced with the ergos or seat comfort. That said, even after having owned a Termignoni equipped Monster 1100 evo, A Speed Triple, an AKra equipped FZ9, etc, the Tuono is the best sounding bike I've ever heard. Felt it lacked a bit of torque in the lower revs, but made up for it as soon as you'd hit 5k....what a beast. If the new one has better ergos for me, I could consider it.

I had a Ducati and though its the most unreliable bike Ive ever owned, they did fix anyhthing needing to be fixed without a fight. In my case in 6 months/6000km I had a section of the tank replaced (paint was flaking), front fork seal, complete front rotors and pads, rear brake reservoir, traction control issues, etc all addressed in a timely manner. That said from now on Ill always choose a reliable brand with a poor dealership over a great dealership with an unreliable bike. Ideally id have both

A few weeks ago I rode a 2012 Tuono. A buddy of mine purchased it with 2800 miles on the clock and since I had let him ride the SD he asked me to ride the Tuono.

The engine is great. The magazine testers described it a Jeckyll and Hyde and they are right. There is an infusion of HP at 5 k that is hard to miss. And another one at 9 k that takes you all the way to 11 (12.2k rev limiter). My buddy told me later the shift light was set at a very conservative 10.5k rpm.

Brakes are also great. Cornering confidence and stability are very good. Electronic nannies work. I pushed first and second gear repeatedly with Wheelie Control in one of the low settings and the bike barely got 1' of air under the front wheel and the nanny kept it there.

I am 6'1" and the bike is small for me. The 990 SD is heaps more comfortable. The ergos on the Tuono would have to change a lot for me to truly consider it.

How do the ergos of the 1290 compare to the 990?

Oh, forgot to mention, the sound of the V4 is quite intoxicating. I can only imagine if it had an aftermarket pipe.