My take on Aprilia Mana demo ride

fnfalman · 06-02-2009, 06:51 PM

I have put off test riding the Mana for the longest just because I was under the misconception that it's an overgrown scooter and kind of beeing poo-pooing it.

Well, Ed@AF1 insisted on my taking it for a ride while I was in town, so who am I to say no? I took it for a good two-days ride but not heavy twisties though. Just putting around town and hitting the freeway and backroads a bit.

Well, I was dead wrong. This is a motorcycle albeit with a weird transmission. Very natural sitting position for me, and confidence inspiring handling. Micah@AF1 said that other than the Leo slip-on, everything is stock. The suspension is well sorted & damped for my fat ass of 210-lbs. The 90-degree V-twin is making more of a Ducati-esque thumping noise but with the typical Aprilia growl instead of Ducati basse. At freeway speed, it was super stable with great directional stability ala my BMW Rockster. At low speed, the damn thing maneuvers like a scooter - awesome!!! Brakes are more than acceptable for the type of bike it is - very controllable yet powerful enough to stop hard.

Surprisingly enough, even without any wind screen I didn't feel any serious windblast even with the 110-MPH plus runs. It would make for a great commuter bike. It definitely has more flair than the SV650/Gladius/Ninja650R/Versys/Monster runabouts. Pretty good gas mileage too, around low 40s-MPG, I believe.

The Leo pipe looks sexy AND sounds sweet like a typical Leo pipe for V-twin.

My main complaints are very few:

1. Maybe move the pegs to the rear an inch or two. Minor discomfort for me. Very minor discomfort, though I'm used to the Tuono's rearset so for people who prefer a more innocuous ride, the Mana's pegs might be it for them.

2. The vibration is wayyyyyy too much when set to SPORT mode, especially through the left foot. My left foot went numb within a minute of setting the SPORT mode. TOUR mode is fine for all around.

Would I buy it? Yes, I would...except for the funds issue. I'm saving up for Tuono V4 but otherwise I would buy it just for grins and giggles.

Awesome runabout.

Homeslice · 06-02-2009, 07:10 PM

Think I'd rather have the Shiver if I wanted something like that.

Mikey · 06-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Think I'd rather have the Shiver if I wanted something like that.

Yeah. That, or the Kawasaki Er6n or Suzuki Gladius.

If I wanted a scooter, I'd buy one.

cuttle · 06-02-2009, 08:22 PM

Generally I love Italian bikes (especially 80's and earlier), but to be honest this thing is ugly! Maybe it's better in all black, so you don't really see the odd lines.

For a naked bike it seems to hide the engine very well with all the bolted on plastic (locking at the left side), but at least some exposed wiring will make it look "naked"....

The tank/trunk set-up may be nice for day trips, but how would you get to the tank if you have some luggage strapped on the back??? A true coffee shop bike!

Good thing it's comfy.

tached1000rr · 06-02-2009, 09:02 PM

Looks heavy.....

Curb · 06-02-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tached1000rr

Looks heavy.....

It is. We sell Aprilia at one of our shops and when I finally got to ride it the first thing I noticed was the weight...she was a pig...but I do like the storage, its big enough to put a full face helmet in it.

I have to say though if I were to get an Aprilia it would be the Dorsoduro or the Tuono...that is one beast of a bike

Rider · 06-03-2009, 09:10 AM

I'm patiently waiting for a write up on a Dorsoduro.

unknownroad · 06-03-2009, 04:47 PM

More flair than a Monster?

anthonyk · 06-08-2009, 11:32 PM

I had a great time riding that same bike a few months ago. It'd be great for the daily commute.

Particle Man · 06-08-2009, 11:37 PM

It looks like fun - I can't get over the rear shock/swingarm thing for some reason...

06-02-2009, 06:51 PM	#1
fnfalman Europhile Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal Moto: Aprilia RS125, Aprilia SR50 Factory, Aprilia Tuono, BMW Rockster, KTM 990 Adventure Posts: 1,875	My take on Aprilia Mana demo ride I have put off test riding the Mana for the longest just because I was under the misconception that it's an overgrown scooter and kind of beeing poo-pooing it. Well, Ed@AF1 insisted on my taking it for a ride while I was in town, so who am I to say no? I took it for a good two-days ride but not heavy twisties though. Just putting around town and hitting the freeway and backroads a bit. Well, I was dead wrong. This is a motorcycle albeit with a weird transmission. Very natural sitting position for me, and confidence inspiring handling. Micah@AF1 said that other than the Leo slip-on, everything is stock. The suspension is well sorted & damped for my fat ass of 210-lbs. The 90-degree V-twin is making more of a Ducati-esque thumping noise but with the typical Aprilia growl instead of Ducati basse. At freeway speed, it was super stable with great directional stability ala my BMW Rockster. At low speed, the damn thing maneuvers like a scooter - awesome!!! Brakes are more than acceptable for the type of bike it is - very controllable yet powerful enough to stop hard. Surprisingly enough, even without any wind screen I didn't feel any serious windblast even with the 110-MPH plus runs. It would make for a great commuter bike. It definitely has more flair than the SV650/Gladius/Ninja650R/Versys/Monster runabouts. Pretty good gas mileage too, around low 40s-MPG, I believe. The Leo pipe looks sexy AND sounds sweet like a typical Leo pipe for V-twin. My main complaints are very few: 1. Maybe move the pegs to the rear an inch or two. Minor discomfort for me. Very minor discomfort, though I'm used to the Tuono's rearset so for people who prefer a more innocuous ride, the Mana's pegs might be it for them. 2. The vibration is wayyyyyy too much when set to SPORT mode, especially through the left foot. My left foot went numb within a minute of setting the SPORT mode. TOUR mode is fine for all around. Would I buy it? Yes, I would...except for the funds issue. I'm saving up for Tuono V4 but otherwise I would buy it just for grins and giggles. Awesome runabout. __________________ *Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride*

06-02-2009, 08:22 PM	#4
cuttle now available w/o fish Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: in a holler Moto: DR650, Morini, 1/2 M900ie Posts: 820	Generally I love Italian bikes (especially 80's and earlier), but to be honest this thing is ugly! Maybe it's better in all black, so you don't really see the odd lines. For a naked bike it seems to hide the engine very well with all the bolted on plastic (locking at the left side), but at least some exposed wiring will make it look "naked".... The tank/trunk set-up may be nice for day trips, but how would you get to the tank if you have some luggage strapped on the back??? A true coffee shop bike! Good thing it's comfy. __________________ "Typo's are very importand to al written form. It gives the reader something to look for soo they arenâ€™t distrackted by the total lack of kontend in your writing's." - R. K. Milholland

06-03-2009, 04:47 PM	#8
unknownroad Guys... where are we? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Carolina Moto: SV650 Interstate, CX500 rat-bobber, whatever else runs. Posts: 784	More flair than a Monster? __________________ Considering Verizon Business service? Perhaps you'd like to consider a nice drain cleaner enema instead?

06-08-2009, 11:37 PM	#10
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	It looks like fun - I can't get over the rear shock/swingarm thing for some reason... __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

06-02-2009, 07:10 PM	#2
Homeslice Elitist Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Moto: Gix 750 Posts: 11,351	Think I'd rather have the Shiver if I wanted something like that.

06-02-2009, 09:02 PM	#5
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	Looks heavy.....

06-03-2009, 09:10 AM	#7
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	I'm patiently waiting for a write up on a Dorsoduro.

06-08-2009, 11:32 PM	#9
anthonyk WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco Posts: 1,041	I had a great time riding that same bike a few months ago. It'd be great for the daily commute.