Aprilia Tuono V-twin (RSV Tuono, 1000R, 2003-2010) Maintenance Schedule
This is the full maintenance schedule and service notes for the Aprilia RSV Tuono / Tuono 1000 R V-twin motorcycles made from 2003 to 2010, in two generations.
The Aprilia Tuono V-twin had many names during the period, including
- Aprilia RSV Mille Tuono R Limited (2002)
- Aprilia Tuono Fighter (2003)
- Aprila RSV Mille / R Tuono
- Aprilia Tuono 1000 R (2006) / Factory (2007)
All of these names are specific to regions and some model years, including between the generations, which were 2003-2005 and 2006-2010.
But all these Aprilia Tuono models shared one fundamental thing: the Rotax-built 997.6 cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-twin. It has four valves per cylinder and overhead camshafts. In the 2003-2005 run, it made 96 kW / 130 hp @ 9500 rpm, with that increasing to 102 kW / 139 hp in the 2006-2010 model years, with the torque band shifting higher in the rev range thanks to Euro 3.
But maintenance is the same for all model years. Any differences will be noted below.
Post 2010, Aprilia retired the V-twin Tuono and released the Aprilia Tuono V4.
Generations of the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin
Loosely speaking, there were two generations of the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin.
Firstly, before the major two generations, in 2002, there was a limited release of a high-spec Aprilia Tuono, called the RSV Mille Tuono R Limited Edition.
The first limited edition was made in a run of 210 bikes (105 initially, then another 105 to satisfy the export market that was frothing at the mouth.
The first Tuono was, essentially — in fact, almost exactly — just an Aprilia RSV Mille with most of its fairing removed and handlebars attached instead of clip-on handlebars. Some of the stuff under the fairing was no doubt tidied away, too. Oh, and it was packed with high-spec gear, like Öhlins suspension, Brembo Gold series callipers, a titanium silencer, and plenty of carbon fibre and magnesium.
These things are rare, and basically museum pieces. But their foundations are the same as the later Aprilia Tuonos.
For 2003, Aprilia released a base model Tuono, called the Tuono Fighter in its first year in the US, and the RSV Tuono elsewhere. It lost some of the high spec ride gear.
Aprilia also released in 200e the RSV Tuono Factory, based on the Aprilia RSV Mille R. This was closer to the original Limited model, with forged alloy wheels, gold Öhlins forks and Öhlins rear suspension, an Öhlins steering damper, Brembo radially mounted brake calipers, and lots of carbon fibre for weight reduction.
For 2006, Aprilia revised both the base model and the Factory, and dropped “RSV from their names — there was just the Tuono 1000 R and Tuono 1000 R Factory.
The base engine is the same, just with higher compression, and peakier power output — a tendency when emissions regulations strike. But the maintenance requirements were 100% the same, bar a few parts here and there (noted below).
All this changed with the release of the Tuono V4 R in 2011, which has its own maintenance schedule here.
Service Intervals for the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin
The Aprilia Tuono V-Twin motorcycles all have a 6125 mile / 10000 km or annual service interval. At every service, change the oil and oil filter, plus do a list of checks (noted below).
Every 12500 miles / 20000 km, change the spark plugs and air filter, plus check the valve clearances and cylinder synchronisation.
There are other suspension and chassis checks that Aprilia recommends, including to change the fork oil every major service.
Change the brake fluid and clutch fluid every two years.
Finally, make sure to regularly check and adjust the chain tension.
Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule from the Aprilia Tuono V-twin owner’s manuals. We checked a few different model years to make sure they’re consistent.
| Every ‘000 km | 10 | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every ‘000 mi | 6.25 | 12.5 | Every |
| Regular inspection schedule (See below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil — Change | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil filter — Change | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil filter (on oil tank) — Clean | ✓ | 2 years | |
| Spark plugs — Check | ✓ | ||
| Spark plugs — Change | ✓ | ||
| Air filter — Check | ✓ | ||
| Air filter — Change | ✓ | ||
| Valve clearances — Inspect / adjust | ✓ | ||
| Cylinder synchronisation | ✓ | ||
| Front fork — Inspect | ✓ | ||
| Rear shock absorber — Inspect | ✓ | ||
| Suspension and track alignment | ✓ | ||
| Rear suspension linkage bearings | ✓ | ||
| Fork oil — Replace | ✓ | ||
| Fork oil seals — Check / Replace as necessary | ✓ | ||
| Clutch fluid — Change | 2 years | ||
| Brake fluid — Change | 2 years | ||
| Fuel pipes — Replace | 4 years | ||
| Brake lines — Replace | 4 years |
Racing Schedule
If you race or track your Aprilia Tuono V-Twin, then you should follow the below inspection / service checklist — every 5000 miles or 3125 km (with a couple of exceptions near the end).
| Aprilia RSV Tuono / Tuono 1000R Racing Maintenance Schedule |
|---|
| Regular inspection schedule (see below) — Perform |
| Engine oil — Change |
| Engine oil filter — Change |
| Engine oil filter (on oil tank) — Clean |
| Spark plugs — Change |
| Air filter — Change |
| Valve clearances — Inspect / adjust |
| Cylinder synchronisation |
| Coolant — Inspect |
| Tyre pressure — Inspect / Adjust |
| Rear shock absorber — Inspect |
| Suspension and track alignment |
| Gearbox — Inspect |
| Clutch wear — Inspect |
| Pistons — Inspect |
| Gearbox — Check every 2 services |
| Clutch fluid — Change annually |
Regular Service Schedule
Below is the regular inspection / service schedule for the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin. Do these checks according to the schedule above.
| Aprilia Tuono V-Twin Inspection Checklist |
|---|
| Clutch fluid — Inspect |
| Brake fluid — Inspect |
| Lights operation / direction — Check / adjust |
| Light system — Check |
| Safety switches — Check |
| Error warning lights on instrument panel — Check Perform at every star-up |
| Drive chain tension / lubrication — Check Every 1000 km / 625 mi |
| Brake pad wear — Check Before each ride, and every 2000 km / 1250 mi, or more often when racing |
| Transmission cables and controls _ Check condition, routing |
| Steering bearings and steering clearance — Check |
| Wheel bearings — Check smooth operation |
| Wheels / tyres condition — Inspect |
| Tyre pressures — Check / adjust |
| Brake discs — Check wear |
| Braking system — Inspect |
| Coolant level — Inspect |
| Cooling system — Inspect |
| Fuel pipes — Inspect condition |
| Brake pads — Check wear. If worn, replace |
| Nuts, bolts, and screws — Inspect tightening |
| Final transmission (chain and sprockets) — Check / replace |
| General running of the vehicle — Check |
Chain Maintenance on the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin
Despite changes to the chassis and suspension between generations and versions of the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin, the chain maintenance guidelines are the same — they have the same recommended chain slack of 25 mm.
Use a high-quality chain cleaner/lubricant and regularly lubricate the chain. Aprilia recommends ENI Agip chain lubricant in its original manuals for the Tuono, but Motul chain spray is a good one recommended in more modern manuals.
Aprilia recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary | 625 mi / 1000 km or year (whichever earlier) |
| Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary (See below) | 625 mi / 1000 km or year (whichever earlier) |
Notes:
- Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your Tuono in harsh conditions – e.g. dusty roads, rain, muddy roads, or if you ride aggressively or track your bike.
- Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle (assuming the chain has become wet).
To check the slack on the Tuono V-twin, put the motorcycle in neutral, onto its kickstand, and on a level surface.
Check the slack on the lower part of the chain, midway between the sprockets, and check it in multiple places (move the motorcycle forwards and backwards) as chains wear unevenly.
Slack on the Tuono and other Aprilia motorcycles is defined as the free vertical movement of the chain.
Target chain slack for the Aprilia Tuono 1000 V-twin: 0.98 in / 25 mm
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it.
Adjusting chain slack
To adjust the chain slack on the Aprilia Tuono 1000, follow the steps below.
- Loosen the rear axle with a breaker bar and the adjuster lock nuts on either side of the axle (see the diagram above).
- Turn the adjuster nuts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
- Keep an eye on the adjuster alignment marks on either side of the axle. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point.
- When you’re done, tighten the axle nut to 120 Nm / 87 lb-ft. You’ll need a large torque wrench.
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
About the Aprilia Tuono V-Twin (2003-2010)
In many ways, the 2002-2010 Aprilia Tuono models were the first factory streetfighters, because they were the first modern street bikes with an upright chassis and exactly the same engine as the RSV Mille superbikes — with no detuning.
While every other manufacture has de-tuned (or “re-tuned for torque”) their superbikes motors, this was not the approach of Aprilia. Either out of resource constraints or intention, they just kept the engine in the same tune. And it works a treat!
And a second argument for them being “streetfighters” is that the Tuono is not — and never has been — quite a “naked” motorcycle. It has a little fairing at the front, and some wind protection as a result, as well as protection for the instruments.
The Aprilia Tuono V-twins were made between 2002 and 2010. The 2002 model was a very limited edition run with high-spec bits. It’s now very exclusive and hard to find.
But the subsequent consumer runs are easier to find. From 2003-2005, Aprilia released a base-spec chassis (no Öhlins, and no carbon fibre bits) Tuono with a full power engine.
The first generation Tuono is known for being an excellent handler. It has the same chassis as the RSV Mille, and has handlebars, which makes handling easier in many situations other than those at very high speed.
Aprilia significantly upgraded the Tuono for 2006, in line with the upgraded Aprilia RSV 1000 R. The 2006-2010 Tuono had the same basic architecture for the engine, but it was retuned for more power at the top end, and also with torque coming on a little later.
People used to get into fights over which generation was better. But the reality is that each one suits different people (they have different geometry) and different styles of riding.
One of the coolest things about the Aprilia Tuono is that it is actually a lot easier to service than its nearest rival, the Ducati Monster S4 and subsequent bikes. There are no timing belts to replace, and the valve service intervals are farther apart.
However, the early Tuonos do have a reputation for gnarly electrical problems, from wiring and connectors that don’t stand the test of time. There are many mods worth doing (see this thread, for example) to make sure that they won’t let you down somewhere on the highway.
Reference
The above info comes from the owner’s manuals for the Aprilia Tuono from 2003 and 2007. You can see screenshots below.
Note that in the early manuals, Aprilia shows a maintenance schedule in table format, just as in many motorcycle manuals.
But in the later manuals, they change this to a checklist of things to do at every service. While this is convenient to look over for a scheduled service, it’s a little harder to see the frequency of major and minor items.
You can get manuals for Aprilia motorcycles here from the source, but you need a VIN number.
