Racing Thoroughbreds From Tennessee to Kentucky
We are lucky, living in the Nashville area, to have so much spectacular riding within a few hours of our house. Regardless of the type of bike we may be on, there are options to suit. While usually finding ourselves on dual-sport styled bikes capable of off-pavement exploration, we also greatly enjoy sticky rubber on twisty asphalt.
This particular weekend, we are riding the Aprilia Tuono RR and Factory that are just begging for a hard run. Having been somewhat isolated, we were itching to get out of the house for a few days. These bikes are the perfect excuse.
As we head out of the city toward the east, the country roads flow through the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee like an asphalt river. Farmland covers the countryside. It’s a rich, healthy green, no doubt the result of all the rain we’ve had this spring. Fluffy white clouds are scattered across the bright blue sky. The air is warm, but offers a cool bite once we get moving as summer is not completely upon us yet.
We know the first part of this route very well, as it’s one of our favorite ways out of town. It gives us the chance to see what the Aprilia Tuono is capable of in the corners. After about an hour, we come to Hwy 96 and the fast-flowing corners that land us at Center Hill Lake. The V4 in the Tuono delivers its 175 horsepower in a vicious but linear and predictable way. That predictable power delivery makes it easy to keep the motorcycle where you want it in a corner. The tires are held to the blacktop by the fully adjustable Sachs suspension on the RR.
The Factory comes equipped with top-shelf electronically managed Öhlins SmartEC 2.0 forks, shock, and steering damper that adapt to road conditions to manage traction and stability while you ride. Naturally, they’ve got multiple modes to select from—Road, Sport, and Track. I’ve selected the Road setting, as I’m on a road; the suspension isn’t too harsh to be comfortable and I can feel it working to hold fast to the cracked, gravel-dusted backroads as we wind our way toward Kentucky.
Motorcycles & Gear
2020 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR
2020 Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory
Helmets: HJC RPHA11 Pro
Jackets & Pants: Klim Marrakesh
Boots: Gaerne Balanced Oiled
Gloves: Klim Marrakesh
Communication: Sena SF4
Hydration: USWE Outlander 9
Pasta Rockets for Breakfast
At first glance, the Tuono is probably the last thing you expect to be a comfortable and capable touring machine, but it’s exactly that. It’s essentially an RSV4 with a standard handlebar, and the more upright stance means you get to ride in comfort mile after mile, which can’t be said for the RSV4. This supernaked missile is the sporty touring machine that all the standard sport touring bikes wish they could be when they grow up—docile and relaxed one second and a white-knuckled maniac the next. We clicked instantly, and fell head over heels in love with this vicious yet sophisticated motorbike.