Aprilia Tuono & Kawasaki Z1000

FUN RUNS

For those who demand a comfortable riding position and still expect performance, Aprilia and Kawasaki offer two exciting sport bikes with high-mounted handlebars. We tested the new Tuono and the Z1000 on California back roads and freeways.

Concept & Transformation
Standards aren’t simply standards any more. Using engines and chassis parts from their Supersport sisters, these bikes have evolved into high-tech machines with a minimum of fairing plastics and a comfortable riding position.

The 2003 Tuono from Aprilia is the standard equipped version of the Tuono R. Based on the Supersport model Mille, the bike went through changes that turn it into a great riding machine as well as a good commuter. ”Less stress, more fun“ is the catchphrase. Instead of leaning tight over your clip-ons, you sit upright with a good overview of traffic situations. Before, you were pretty much on your own, having to convert a CBR, ZX, GSX-R, FZR, or YZF to this setup as a street fighter.

This target group was also in mind when Kawasaki started developing the brand-new Z1000 from their current ZX-9 R. The bikini windshield, wide aluminum handlebars, and a sport seat give the bike its mean, contentious looks. Other than the model name, the four mufflers are a reminder of the ‘good old’ days when Kawi inline-fours used to threaten the whole bike world and kicked our neighbors out of their beds early on Sunday mornings.
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