[sai_ace]

Originally Posted by toolittlehp

Have you considered the MT-03?

Nope. I haven't ridden it, but I do not feel a connect with it. Is it a worthy alternative?

[toolittlehp]

Originally Posted by sai_ace

Nope. I haven't ridden it, but I do not feel a connect with it. Is it a worthy alternative?

If you consider only the engine and Japanese reliability, maybe. Otherwise it looks a bit outdated and a tad bit overpriced. I’m in the market for a new bike too, and I might take a test ride of the Yamaha 300cc twins too. In a market with Aprilias, Royal Enfields and KTMs, it will take a lot more than engine to please me, and that includes sales experience.

[PreludeSH]

Had a look at Tuono. Test rides are waiting for registration.

The handle still feels a little committed but is wider. Red one looks compact while grey looks sizable.

[100Kmphormore]

Had a test ride of the Tuono today at the Hoskerehalli Motoplex showroom. I had been eagerly waiting for this since my test ride of the RS at launch last year was not for very long and also extremely painful (read committed) to post an initial impressions, thanks to all the excited college students of BSK 3rd stage :P who wanted to ride the bike. The bike was the pearl white variant, had done 279 km and did 20 minutes on it in mixed conditions. My opinion is from the perspective of the Duke 390, and the Continental GT 650 (its main competitors for most in my opinion, the Continental only as a twin cylinder - its weight dismissing all other comparison points).

Looks - This is smaller than the RS, but the beefy tank makes up for the big bike feel. Front isnt a looker at all. Should have tried to get the bigger Tuonos looks on this. Side profile makes it look like a Street Triple.

Engine - The main USP of this bike. Smooth, buttery and powerful. The torque delivered after 3000 rpm upto 9000 rpm is like a slingshot. Vibes start creeping in after 7000 rpm but not much. It is extremely tractable right from 1000 rpm - unbelievable of sorts for me and had to check which gear I was in, 2nd or 1st. I on a daily basis facing the choppy nature of the BS4 390 motor was in a serene mindset on this bike from get go, compared to the aggressive one. Feels manic in a linear fashion post 3000 rpm and does get to highway speeds quickly. You will have to struggle to stall this bike.

Tried all 3 modes - Rain, Eco, and Sport and the Eco is best for city traffic - doesnt lunge like a hungry tiger like it does on Sport. Sport gives that Duke 390 feels that the older KTM owners desire. The note of the engine is lovely - when heated up, the burbles even more so. Engine heat - it gets as warm as the Duke and the radiator silently does its job without drawing everyones attention. Not bothersome if you are in jeans and not at all if you are in riding pants.

Ergonomics - This is not as comfortable as the Duke but not as much a punishment as the RS457. There is a forward, committed sportbike lean like the Bear 650 that may inadvertently force your palms onto the handlebar (yes, no clipons) but long distances once accustomed to the riding triangle is comfortable, windblast is somewhat lesser than the Dukes due to this, but IS there. Thankfully, the tank slopes away from you and sudden braking will not have your family jewels crush on it (remember reading JSaarinens account where he suffered a severe injury in aforementioned area during an accident).
The mirrors though are outright stupid. They look like the curved horns of a bullock and are useless until someone comes very close to you. I would change these to the RS's or the Duke's.

Clutch/brake levers are non adjustable and a big miss. My fingers could reach but marginally and would prefer more closer reach ones. The pegs are spacious but could feel my size 46 boot touch something on the right side repeatedly. Weight went amiss as I could muscle this around as easily as my Duke. Useless LED headlights, just like the Duke. The Batman like rear tail light is carried over from the RS and looks nice.

Suspension - neither here nor there is what I can say. It does feel firm, especially the front. The rear though is great, no bouncing around or throwing off feeling. Feels planted even at 90 kmph. Good setup. Ground clearance is not an issue, took a couple of decently sized speedbreakers and it did not touch, despite my 94 kg frame.

Brakes - they have bite in the city, sometimes too much and stop well, but being organic ones may not fare as well at highway speeds after some usage. Its pricey at Rs.9000 for the Aprilia ones but may as well get the Dukes for Rs.3000 as both are the same 320 mm Bybre unit. The rear feels nice and non wooden, actually does provide stopping power. I tried to get the ABS to kick in but wasnt able to, front or rear - the KTM in comparison feels overactive.

Tyres - the Aprilia branded TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme, extremely grippy on tarmac, even wet sections but gravel feel is bothersome - it does slip. Gaadi grip sigatte (you feel in control of the bike, in local parlance as said by the executive ). For once I agree!

Electronics - ABS and TC work well in tandem with the tyres. Tried as much hooliganism as possible to trigger it but no, they will only come in at the last moment - nice! Nice screen and switchgear, easily readable in the sun with a very helpful dark mode like background, with only required information, though the horn leaves a lot to be desired. Too meek even when the engine is off. One actually laughed in my face when he heard a scootys horn but saw a motorcycle. Must change as the engine is more audible and one rev will get people to move away (and in a good way!)

A good upgrade for those from the Duke 200/RTR200 camp who do not want ADVs but more power and smoothness in the same format while willing to tolerate the windblast. Newbie biker? a resolute NO, until they make a Level 1&2 track certification mandatory before delivery. Loved riding it! The engine issues seem to have settled down and the recent batches seem to be much better in that aspect - 10 Tuonos have been delivered and none have any issue according to them. But a must improve point is the network - only 3 that I know of in Bengaluru. The service experience and the cavalier attitude - that has been somewhat addressed, as witnessed by better interactions with the sales and service guys.