Aprilia India promised the very exciting RS 150 at the 2018 Auto Expo, but that motorcycle is yet to make it to showrooms. Now, it seems, the RS150 or the rumoured RS250 motorcycles have been put on the back burner for now and the Italian bike maker is working on introducing a completely new model for the Indian market. This is the Aprilia Tuono 125 that we are talking about that has been listed on Aprilia India’s website and could be launched in the country later this year. Aprilia Tuono 125 India Launch could be one of the more capable machines in the brand’s line-up in Europe and is, in many ways a sought-after option for those looking at a light rev-friendly motorcycle when starting out riding with the A2 licence that could hit the Indian market.
The Aprilia Tuono 125 takes after the larger Tuono 1100 V4 and is more like a shrunken version of the litre-class offering. Now, you know we love the larger Tuono 1100 V4 in every sense and the new smaller 125 cc version manages to offer the same aesthetics complete with the bikini-fairing, engine cowl, swept-up tail section and the familiar twin headlamp unit. The black and silver paint scheme on the Aprilia Tuono 125 also echoes that of the older sibling. The bike is underpinned by an aluminium perimeter frame with the engine used a stressed member, while the kerb weight stands at about 136 kg. The fuel tank capacity stands at 14.5-litres.
The Aprilia Tuono 125 is powered by the 124.2cc 4-valve, liquid-cooled, single cylinder engine with fuel-injection that produces about 15PS and 11Nm of peak torque for the European market. The motor could be tuned differently for the Indian market to meet the BS6 norms and that could see a slightly revised power output. The technical specifications mentioned on the website are for the Euro 4 compliant version. The Tuono 125 also gets a more upright riding position that will make it comfortable for commuting.
The Tuono 125 now comes with some sophisticated hardware including 40mm USD front forks with 110mm travel and a preload adjustable monoshock suspension at the rear with 130mm travel. Anchorage comes from a 300mm disc at the front and a 218mm single-disc at the rear. Dual-channel ABS is part of the standard kit on the semi-naked motorcycle. The Tuono 125 rides on 6-split-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with a 100/80 section tyre at the front and a 130/70 section tyre at the rear. The seat height stands at 810mm.
Now, the Aprilia Tuono 125 is listed alongside the brand’s global offerings that include a number of high-performance motorcycles. The company has not made any official announcements on the Tuono 125 making its way to India, nor was it on display at the Auto Expo in February, suggesting the brand is looking at introducing the model. However, the Italian company could’ve had a change of heart given the fabulous success of the KTM 125 Duke and the RC 125 in the entry-level performance segment. Expect the Aprilia Tuono 125 India Launch price to be at Rs. 1.40 lakh (ex-showroom) for the BS6 version, which will place it right against the KTM range and the Yamaha MT-15.
