tuono question

[humungus]

Hi--- I have been lusting after the tuono for some time now and I've read every magazine review I can get my hands on, but before I jump in, I would really appreciate any comments from some owners. My biggest concern is that every single reviewerr comments on how easy the front end comes up. While some probably think thats a good thing, I'm not sure its for me. I'm currently riding a Honda 919 and while its a fairly fast bike, it has a pretty forgiving throttle. So, my question is, are unwanted wheelies a concern with the Tuono and related, is the front end unstable during fast turns, especially gassing it at the apex ? :confused:

Thansk in advance,
Dan

[King Atlas]

I went from a 919 to the Tuono. No, you will not have a wheelie problem. IMO, you still have to be somewhat deliberate with the throttle to raise the front wheel. You won't regret the trade!!

[humungus]

King Atlas-- Thank you ! Does the Tuono handle as well or better than the 919 in tight twisties ? Thats what I ride the most.

Dan

[King Atlas]

Initially, since I was so used to the 919, I thought the Tuono didn't handle quite as well. It just took getting used to the new bike. I think I've improved quite a bit since riding the Tuono (not directly because of the bike, but due to more saddle time), so it's hard to say.

The 919 handled like a champ, but was boring. The 919 may have been ever so slightly easier to throw around, but you won't feel like your sacrificing handling once you ride the Tuono for a couple of weeks. Believe me.

[BigGlen]

The Tuono blows the 919 away with regard to chasis stiffness and quality of suspension. It limits are beyond that of the 919.
However we have to come "up to that level" to experience it.

[humungus]

I'm not trying to argue or even debate however I'm not sure I buy that Big Glen--have you not ridden a bike that you knew immediatly handled better than another bike ? One that you could corner faster and with more confidence ? Or is this just more of a relative personal observation ? I know that it is all so subjective.

[King Atlas]

It sure is all subjective, which is why you need to test ride a Tuono if you can. Even if you don't test ride one first, I think you'll be glad you bought one. As I said, it'll feel different at first...as many bikes will. The Tuono handles exceptionally well.

[Manu]

Coming from another Honda (Superhawk) the improvement in handling was clearly noticable. Better suspension, better brakes and tremendous stability and accuracy. IMO the only thing that need some getting used too is the higher ride height. Tuono is a "tall" bike and the CG actually has more travel leaning from one side to the other. The190 rear tire is also said to slower the bike "flickability" a bit compared to 180. I personaly found out the Tuono's front to have too much preload. It uses same fork as the Mille with different weight distribution. I had not enough sag. 1 and 3/4 more line showing at the adjuster got rid of some understeering feeling and quickened the steering noticeably.

Don't get me wrong the Tuono/RSV chassis is one of the best out there... it just needs to be setup correctly.

[theImmoralist]

I went from my Tuono R to a 919 for a few days as a loaner while my bike was in the shop. Granted, I have not ridden a standard Tuono, so my comments may not be exactly relevant to your decision, but to me, the 919 was a completely different kind of bike.

The 919's suspension seemed much softer, less precise, but more forgiving. I would almost describe it as "wallowy" compared to the Tuono R. It felt a little bit "lower" than the Tuono, so turn-in had a different feel. As humongous said, the 919 has a forgiving throttle. When I first got on it, I thought that it was such a typical Honda feel: everything detuned for safe and sane mass consumption. My Tuono (with lowered gearing and light tuning) feels more like a race bike to me: more explosive but requiring more attention.

I would say that whether it is "better" is a matter of riding style and skill. The Tuono R is more demanding but can be pushed harder; it is, after all, basically a Mille with high bars. The 919 would perhaps be easier to ride for a beginning rider.

As to humongous's initial questions, I've never had a single problem with unwanted wheelies. The front can feel light if you get on the gas hard, but unwanted wheelies I guess depends on riding style. I feel that I can ride tight twisties faster on the Tuono than on any other bike I've ridden; certainly faster than on my Mille. The bike just seems made to make turns at 30-70 mph.

My only other comment about the Tuono is that I don't feel too comfortable on it at over, say, 110 mph. To me, the riding position and relative lack of wind protection makes it feel a little sketchy. But, ahem, we're not riding that fast anyways, are we?
:happy:

[theImmoralist]

Originally posted by Manu
The190 rear tire is also said to slower the bike "flickability" a bit compared to 180. I personaly found out the Tuono's front to have too much preload. It uses same fork as the Mille with different weight distribution.

I found the same thing with the front preload.

I liked 190/55 for the rear tire the best, but it was very expensive. Now I'm on a 180/55 Diablo which is working really well.

[BigGlen]

We have to "come up to the level" of the RSVR chasis in order to truely benefit from it.

[King Atlas]

Going from the stock 190 rear tire to a 180 improved the handling tremendously.

[pastajet]

One of the better reasons to like the Tuono is that once you are into the high speed realm it just doesn't feel comfy, so you just don't ride as fast, since the speed limit is really only 75 max why do we care, it runs awesome up to that. My 929 on the other hand liked the triple digits, on a track of course ;)


I live at high altitude so don't have much of any wheelie problems.

There is nothing better then the feel of a twin!

My thoughts on bikes I have owned:

Duc Monster 900 - comfy but a bit gutless and doesn't crank as well in the twisties as a sportbike
Duc 916 - awesome, sexy, but needed to see a massage person after a short ride
Honda 929 - comfy, light and neutral and very fast
Tuono - the best of them all, great in the twisties, comfy, twin motor, fast (except for triple digits) and gorgeous, still getting used to the bolt upright position for cornering

My thoughts on bikes I tested of late:
Sucki 750 - extremely fast, sitting position to forward, useless on American Streets
Aprilia Falco - nice but a bit boring
Aprilia Mille - great bike, but like the Duc needed to get a massage after a ride, sore wrists and all
Kawi KZ-10R - very comfy, brutal strong engine, just plain boring

[BigGlen]

I agree with Pastajet. Because of the high bars, to go deep into the TRIPPLE DIGITS it takes a committed and physical effort.
So my forays into the 125mph+ range are short and sweet.
75mph and as much as 90mph I can have fun with.

On the other hand, if I went with the tempation to get a new superbike like a Gixer1000, I could criuse at 125 too comfortably!
And subsequently do it a LOT MORE.

Call it perverted reasoning. But, thats another good feacher of the Tuono.

[Ricky J]

Pastajet and Big Glen are onto something: how many of us would lose a job, or marriage, or ??? because we lost our driving privileges or, heaven forbid, got a felony driving conviction? My Mille will go as fast as I need to ever go but won't bust the ton without being told to do so. That's good too. Top speed and the ease of triple-digit cruising aren't plusses by my way of thinking! Having fun at lower velocities might be the smart way to go. It certainly is for me...great salaries don't grow on trees out here, and I need my license and no criminal record to keep it.

[Tuono Tex]

Well said, gentlemen!

[BigGlen]

Funny, it use to be wobbley, spindley frames and low rated tires and lack of horsepower that would limit how fast we went.

Now it's only that "pesky" wind.:rolleyes:

Arent we spoiled. :p