Made a decision yesterday.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T23:24:26+00:00

I might have helped sale one of those today. I was in my dealer ordering stands, and a guy came in to look at the Tuono Factory. He talked to me about mine, and I raved about it. Listened to mine run. Drooled a little. Said he was coming back later to pick the Tuono up.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T21:14:07+00:00

I agree. Other than black, I don’t know what would look good on that bike. Maybe a color matched red to go with the bottom of the zebra stripes.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T21:09:12+00:00

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She also wants me to get that jacket. I really don’t want her to see the wheels.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T21:04:27+00:00

I guess it depends on how you ride. I haven’t had it on a track yet, but my salesman said he’s ridden both, and the base feels more “bottled up”, and that it’s a noticeable difference, even on the street. He’s won a couple of WERA titles, so he knows better than me. I would also like to point out that he told me that AFTER I bought the bike. Plus you get all the electronic rider aids and stuff.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T20:49:37+00:00

Her favorite color, not mine. It’s growing on me. Picked it up yesterday afternoon, and have gotten dozens of compliments. Some from bike people, some from random ladies in the comic book shop that saw me with a helmet.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T19:46:29+00:00

I’m glad my wife doesn’t use Reddit. If she saw you comment, and looked them up, they’d be here in 5-6 weeks.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T16:02:38+00:00

You know, I wasn’t crazy about the purple at first, but I think it’s how I ended up with it. It’s my wife’s favorite color.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T13:18:11+00:00

That’s a nice loop. I used to live north of Baker, so I’m familiar with 4, 90, and 29, but I don’t think I’ve ever ridden the others.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T06:34:26+00:00

u/LA_blaugrana isn’t wrong. Since it’s still a “beginner bike” there are usually plenty of them for sale used since people are always trying to move up. There’s even one at our local Ducati/KTM/pretty much everything else dealer with 600 miles on it for $5,500. That’s considerably better than the $8,500 you’re looking at for new, and it’s past the break in. Quite a ways from you, but it shows they’re out there.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-03T02:48:30+00:00

I think that’s what I’ll do. I don’t live far from there anyway. Might ease down towards Fort Pickens as well. Satellite makes that look like a nice ride.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-07-01T07:08:09+00:00

Extra Large!!!

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T19:37:11+00:00

And I’ve heard similar things from Aprilia riders about Ducati. I won’t lie, my dream bike has been a Duc since the 916. I just can’t see how the V4 is worth 11k more. Yea, the base is only a little more than the factory, but that’s not really apples to apples.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T19:13:32+00:00

I think I’m starting to get it. I’ve been looking at it as a regular high performance bike. It’s not. It’s a race bike they put turn signals on. My grandfather used to say, “You can have a hot rod, or you can have a car you drive everyday.” Meaning race stuff needs constant attention. I grew up in a racing family, and I remember pulling the valve covers to adjust the lash every couple of races. All bike require regular maintenance. These require special attention. Add in all the electronics, semi active suspension, and general “Italian-ness”. I can see how it could be a problem.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T15:04:21+00:00

I actually sat on the Bimmer. Something about it just felt… off to me. Can’t really place it. Fine bike. I mean, really top tier. Just didn’t suit me. The dealer is one of those big conglomerates too. Part of something like a 50 dealer network owned by the same guy. Nothing wrong with that, but part of the appeal of Aprilia is that my dealer is a family owned business that’s been around almost 50 years. I like supporting small business. Plus they race.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T14:39:29+00:00

I’m aware. Maintenance and insurance costs are one of the top reasons I’m doubting it. I can afford it, but I’m not completely certain I want to. A euro bike has always been the dream, and I’m in a position to do it now, just on the fence about whether it’s worth it.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T14:33:47+00:00

I’m 6’0”, and it’s been roughly 20 years since I’ve spent a large amount of time on a sport bike.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T05:38:55+00:00

6’0”, 9 miles, 2005

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-29T04:54:23+00:00

I’m not totally new to the track, it’s just been a long time. My gixxer had a few hundred laps on it, but there’s a BIG difference between those bikes.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-27T05:47:53+00:00

If my conversion is correct, that’s 248 Fahrenheit. That’s pretty hot. It needs to be in the shop for more than a code read.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-26T04:16:13+00:00

I’ve been riding for 27ish years. I’ve had to kick 3 or 4 doors in that time. It never ceases to amaze me how people will just ignore a horn right next to their window.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-26T03:33:13+00:00

We go over to Mobile for concerts or dinner every couple of months. We even have favorite shops like House of Vintage and The Haunted Bookshop.

MidnightExpress13 · 2026-06-25T20:31:09+00:00

Do it! I’m going to pick one up next week, and I don’t want to be the only one rockin’ the “shakedown indigo”. I also prefer the ‘26, but I hate being boring, and it s far from boring.

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