2004 Aprilia Motorcycle reviews

It has a few electrical gremlins to contend with, and a smallish fuel tank, but it is a small price to pay for such an otherwise flawless sport tourer. It is comfortable 1,000 mile days, hangs with or beats up on the supersport crowd even when heavily loaded, and has sexy good looks in flame red with an exhaust note to match. Show less

I have a aprilia tuono 2004 since 2006. It's a very exciting bike with lots of power. The sound is incredible through the akrapovic exhaust (no db-killer). I should hae bought this bike a couple of years earlier. Show less

I bought this bike new in April of '05. As you can see, it doesn't rest too much. This bike gets very regular, very thorough maintenance. It has never let me down. Only 1 minor issue; the water pump developed a small leak. I even continued to ride it while the parts came in. I once rode it 230 miles just for lunch and then back home. That particular day it was between 105 degrees and 114 degrees. The big 'Beo never broke a sweat. It fared much better than I did. This bike needs nothing right out of the box to take you anywhere you want to go. Lots of storage with the optional panniers. This bike is comfortable and stable at speeds of 75-80 mph for as long as you want to ride it. Show less

I went looking for a new ST3 and found my 02 Flame Red Futura. Best move I ever made. I will be keeping this bike. Of all the bikes I have owned over the last 28 years this is the one that puts the biggest smile on my face. No bike has the combination of power, handling, comfort, styling, reliability, and looks. Until something better comes along I won't consider selling it. Show less

This is a great bike. The press said it is ugly, but EVERY person who has commented on it tells me what a stunningly beautiful bike it is! I put full pipes and chip on her and she flies, stiffen up the suspension and she flat cooks in the canyons. I chased and blew by a 999 with full bags, camping gear and pillon. The guy couldn't believe it! Jack up the rear preload and the stand doesn't drag. All day comfort, realibility, and PHENOMENAL handling! I have a K5 gixxer 1000 and my RST is just as good in the canyons. A fantastic bike! Show less

Man, What a bike! I saw it in the shop while buying a new clutch lever for my Triumph Sprint, sat on it and bought it before I even started it up. I kept the Triumph just in case I found it wasn't what I wanted - fat chance! I put Avon Viper Sport tires on it (with Nitro)and that made so much difference in the handling - incredible difference! I took that funny looking plastic number plate thing of the back and screwed the plate into the bottom of the mufflers (has twin Staintunes). Speaking of mufflers, the Staintunes look awseome, but were still quiet, so I had new header pipes made and took the catalytic converter off. I could not believe the difference in power (feels like another 15-20 horsepower), dropped the weight by 12 kilos, sounds magnificent (very loud). I have done 22,000 kilometres in 6 months. The centre stand is a hinderence in corners - I have got an angle grinder onto it but it still hits way too easily on both sides. I LOVE IT! Show less

This bike is absolutely stunning. That may be an overused cliche perhaps, but ride one and tell me I'm wrong. I own one of the last serial numbers for year '03, but this site begins the list at '04 for some reason. The Tuono itself is an outstanding work of art that is up to more than anyone I personally know can throw at it. The motor is incredibly flexible without being sewing machine smooth (read: no soul), like the current liter bike herd. If what you're after is being the fastest plastic repli-racer on the roads, look elsewhere. If you want a bike that turns heads (most people simply don't know who Aprilia are - I love the uneducated masses), offers all day comfort and can still tear it up through the twistys, look no further. The Racing (now Factory) versions Ohlins suspenders, radial Brembos, and SuperCorsas are total overkill on the streets, but they offer a nice bit of bling for the Sunday morning pancake crowd. And last but not least, the carbon bodywork is gorgeous. Worth every penny. But don't take my word for it, get out on one for a test ride. Just watch that throttle in first gear... Show less

I have now had this automatic bike for 6 months, and I like it even more each time that I ride it. I have discovered the following: BRAKES - They are good, especially when you need to come to a very quick stop. Where I use the front brake 95% of the time on my 2001 SV650, I use the combined front and rear left break the most. LEAN - the 500 will lean as far as you want to take it. Country roads or tight turns at lights are a piece of cake. The tires grip well. SEAT - My legs and toe tips have become adjusted to the tall, wide seat. When riding I realize that I can see really far because I'm about the same height as an SUV driver. STEERING - I have tightened the steering damper almost to the maximum (yes, there is one, but it takes some practice to reach it under the front fender) for better connection with the road. I now also have the Borso tunnel bag that, when tight against the inner part of the fairing and the seat, acts beautifully as an additional steering damper, especially in strong winds. SPEED - When I take off at a red light, I don't feel like I'm going fast, but cars are always in my mirrors. MIRRORS - They work really well. This is the first bike that I can actually see easily what's behind me on both sides. CENTERSTAND - If you know how to use a centerstand properly, you'll find the 500 raises easily. This helps when you frequently clean the brake dust off the rims, check the tires etc. I have to rock a couple of times to get the bike down, due to the height. Be careful in gas stations if a car moves too close to you when filling up. You'll need some room as you come down off the stand. COLD WEATHER - I ride throughout the winter and the hand guards so far (December 6th) on the fairing have been great. Cold fingertips and body parts on my SV have been comfortable on the 500. EASE OF OPERATION - I can see/enjoy more of my surroundings while riding because the management of the bike is so much easier. No shifting. No adjustment of the feet for braking. A full upright, comfortable position with the wind 85% off of you and loads of room for adjustment of your feet. MILEAGE - When I tell people that I'm getting 55-60 mpg, no matter how hard I ride, they ask where they can find an Aprilia Scarabeo 500. Show less

Been riding Aprilias for a while now and man did they change up the mile! The chassis is so much lighter and the bike barely looks like its predecesors. It's a beautiful bike that likes to be heard, and people will know you are coming. Torque is seemingly unlimited, and cornering is flawless thanks to its light weight. It's not as adjustable as the higher end Ducatis, but the brakes are definitely better. Overall, it's the best v-twin I can think of for the price. Show less

This is a well built large wheeled maxi scoot built around the Piaggio Master 460cc single cylinder engine used in other Piaggio scooters. I know this scooter very well and can honestly say there are few faults to be found. The rear shocks pre-load require a wrench for adjusting. The windscreen could be just a tad taller but that is easily remedied with lips or a Givi. And it is a big single mounted on a swing arm so frost heaves in intersections make for a rough ride at speed. That is honestly about all that could be criticized. The plus side is clearly stronger. The big Scarabeo offers a great saddle with a great 50 litre trunk capable of holding plenty, or two full face helmets side by side. The bike accellerates well and can cruise comfortably at better than 75mph. The ride can push to approaching 90mph but depending upon wind and road conditions it won't be as relaxed of a ride. The style and lines of the bike are second to none. The fit and finish and manner in which panels fit are first class. The wheels are sweet! Add the 50 litre Aprilia tunnel bag and you have >100 litres of space and you haven't even added the side bags yet! Side bags take some mileage off so I prefer the tunnel bag, a duffle behind me on the passenger saddle and the trunk. That gets me ample room for change of clothes, helmet, lunch and whatever else I require for a weekend trip. The dash computer is a nice to have for monitoring trip mileage, voltage, external temp, miles to next service, average speed, top speed etc. MPG is calculating wrong, likely related to arithmetic on litres. By hand I consistently get better than 50mpg. I can easily get greater than 200 miles before exhausting my reserve. As I recall the tank is 4.2 U.S. gallons. The brakes are linked with dual disks up front and a single at rear. The bike stops well for its size. This scooter really does cross over into the motorcycle touring region. This scooter has raised the bar. Honda and Suzuki have greater displacement with their Silverwing and Burgman's wrapped around small twin cylinders but they lose in every other category. Not to mention they cost more. Piaggio has recently signed a deal to purchase Aprilia and most feel that can only strengthen the marketing and presence around the world for Aprilia. Critics point out concern with obtaining parts. Truth is you won't need much other than oil filters and tires. Show less