Riding impressions: Ducati Streetfighter vs Aprilia Tuono (lots of reading)

[butcher bergs]

So, in light of a recent incident involving my beloved FZ1, I'm currently at a crossroads on whether or not to total the FZ and get something new or fix it and keep on riding it. During this process I decided to visit our friends at Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry, NH in order to check out the new Streetfighter from Ducati that I've been pining for. I was welcomed by a sales person named John and we instantly got to talking about my consideration for twins, Italians in particular. During my visit I was surprised at the offer to take a few different machines out for a test ride......a very new experience to say the least.

Based on our discussion, John graciously offered a ride on a 2008 Aprilia Tuono in addition to the Streetfighter S. I opted to take their Arrow-pipe-equipped Tuono out first, saving the best for last.

I gotta say, within the first mile, I was instantly impressed with how the Aprilia felt in all aspects....ergos were good, turn-in was excellent and the brakes were solid but the biggest surprise was from the 1000cc twin and the power delivery that didn't seem to taper off at any point in the rev range. Roll the throttle from 2k and it pulls all the way to the top. I didn't hit the limiter (nor did I need to) but that motor doesn't seem to run out of breath.....ever. Me having ridden only I4's, this came as a huge surprise and really grabbed my full attention. "How could this be?" I asked inside my helmet yet continued to thoroughly enjoy my test machine as well as my new education on what current twins can offer.

I returned from the suggested loop and I, after my experience with the Tuono, was extremely excited to try the Ducati next. This excitement would quickly be squashed the instant I swung a leg over it.

Ducati has made a stellar machine with the Streetfighter. Plenty of power from the 1098 mill, insane brake power/feedback and general awesomeness throughout but the one thing that negated all of that goodness.....ONE thing....a $40 heatsheild placed just aft the right footpeg. Within 1000' from the dealership I was already sick of riding it. I simply could not get my foot positioned comfortably enough to fully enjoy the offerings of the rest of the machine. Something I wish I wasn't saying because, had Ducati not run the exhaust in that manner, I'd happily be posting pics of my brand new Streetfighter right now.

Now my struggle is this--> fix the FZ or buy the Tuono. Decisions, decisions.

[Pittenger5]

Talk to Pete.
I think he has some experience with a Tuono.

[Ninjajim]

Buy the Tuono

[burnham]

buy the Tuono.

+1

[Manny]

Check out the Brutale as well, just to round out the lineup.

[Manny]

You have some serious miles on the FZ. The question is, does it have wind protection and luggage, and do you use those. I can't imagine the streetfighter, tuono or brutale will do long days like the FZ, will they?

[dankatz]

Read MC News this month...Ducati Street fighter got last place...Speed Triple got first place.
Check this one out:
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...no-7000-a.html
Beautiful bike, excellent price..I am not sure if he is still going to sell it. The Tuono is great bike.

[finao]

Buy my Brutale, come take a ride she will blow you away

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tale-910s.html

[Kurlon]

I have to believe someone, somewhere will come out with a cure for that stupid heat shield... Once that's done, the Streetfighter is an awesome machine.

[TuonoMark]

Bergs - I was the guy that talked to you right after you got off the Tuono. I'm glad that you got a chance to ride them both and come to your own conclusions. After I rode the streetfighter all I could say was "WOW that motor is awesome". However, the second I was back on the Tuono I was in heaven. IMO it’s the perfect bike, but of course I’m bias!!

[butcher bergs]

Bergs - I was the guy that talked to you right after you got off the Tuono.

Trying to place a face but I can't. Were you the other sales guy talking to me when John was busy with the couple and the silver Guzzi?

[mikeb]

unless you've fallen completely in love with the v-twin i say fix your fz. better yet get the latest fizzer 06+ and do a few mods to it to fix the flaws. much cheaper in the long run. i keep seeing used ones with mods for under 6g's.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Good luck whatever you do Bergs. I've heard a lot of people bitch about the exhaust on the Duc... any aftermarket exhausts to fix that?

Personally, I really like your FZR. That combined with the fact that "new bike" isn't even in my vocab (I'd be afraid to ride something new, especially if I had payments on it, the way I'd want to) and I'd fix the FZR, but good luck whatever you do. Pete's Tuono sure is purdy...

[Manny]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows CE; IEMobile 6.12) 320x320; VZW; UTStar-XV6800; Window Mobile 6.0 Professional

unless you've fallen completely in love with the v-twin i say fix your fz. better yet get the latest fizzer 06+ and do a few mods to it to fix the flaws. much cheaper in the long run. i keep seeing used ones with mods for under 6g's.

partycrasher

[DucDave]

Confused...I rode the streetfighter and didn't have any problem with the exhaust. I'll check that again!

I love the Streetfighter...narrow tank, quick handling. The Tuono may feel more comfortable to you because the tank is big like your FZ...similar ergos.

[hawk]

I love my Tuono factory. One of the best all around bikes I have owned.

[catch2otwo]

i too have ridden both the streetfighter and I own a 07 tuono. The street fighter was really twitchy compared to my T. both bikes have awesome power and I sure as hell wont reach the end of their handling capabilities. The T seems to be a little more on the comfortable side. My only gripe with the T is the mileage per tank but ive come to adjust my fuel stops accordingly on longer rides. good luck with your decision.

[schleppy]

I wish I was in your position. I have a feeling whatever you choose you'll be happy. If it were me I'd go for the Tuono, but I have a thing for twins. I have yet to ride an I4 I really enjoyed.

The only concern I would have with the Tuono is reliability. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a bike more reliable than the FZ1. I know a guy who has 96,000 miles on his FZ1 and he's never had a single issue with it. He also said the valves still aren't out of spec (wow)!

[catch2otwo]

the Tuono is pretty reliabe with that rotax motor. i believe the first valve adjustment is at 10k miles? obviously track record cant touch a jap bike, but i have confidence in mine

[keeena]

As an FZ owner, I'd vote Tuono as long as the windblast isn't a factor. All things being equal, I'd take a twin or triple over an I4 any day.

[OreoGaborio]

Love my Tuono.... Just wish they didn't ruin it by removing the edginess & giving it an ugly face when they came out with the 2nd gen

Seriously though, if anything ever happened to my '03 I wouldn't be surprised if I replaced it with a new one.

[bostongixxer]

Buy my Brutale, come take a ride she will blow you away

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tale-910s.html

Seriously, Bergs...DON'T buy a Tuono until you've swung your leg over the Brutale. A sexier machine...amazing handling and power. Go see Joel. You should ride the Brutale first.

[Paul_E_D]

The aprilia motor is near perfection. You could lock the transmision in 3rd gear and still have one hell of a flexible bike. I sounds incredible with a pipe, and as you said, lacks nothing up top!

[butcher bergs]

Well, I greatly appreciate all the input, feedback and PM's.

While I'm sure the Brutale is a killer machine, the nearest (and only) dealer that I could find is about 60 miles away from me. I'm looking for a little more accessibility should hell freeze over and I actually need something directly from the OEM.

One thing that took away a bit from the Tuono is the 6000 mile suggested valve clearance check. I'm used to going 20,000+ and, me being someone who does my own work, I'd rather not be doing motor work every couple months. Buuuuuuut it is nowhere near being "out" because of that.

The reliablility of the FZ1 has been noted by a few here and I completely agree on all counts. This current bike has never let me down and has continued to deliver right up till now.

I've done alot of thinking and I'm going to first try to fix the FZ1. I say "try" because State Farm tells me my claim is all or nothing as far as damaged parts. Basically what they're saying is, "anything damaged in the crash will appear on my claim and I don't have much of a say in it". That apparently leaves me two choices: 1) fix it on my own dime (or) 2) total it, in which case my rates go up for 3 years. Either way, I say that's bullshit and I'm going to level with the adjuster before he/she even sees the bike.

If nothing can work out with respects to my claim then I suppose I'll have some more thinking to do.

[OreoGaborio]

The 2nd gen has a slightly more updated motor than mine, but I hear of guys going 30k miles or more w/o an adjustment.

I happen to be coming up to the 30k mark, probably gonna check em sometime soon.... They might need it, but I don't expect them to actually need adjusting.

BRP Rotax knows how to make a power plant. For reliability, I'd take a Rotax over a Duc motor ANY day of the week.