Jun 22, 2016 08:46 PM
2004 Views
These bikes are not only incredibly good, but because they are largely overlooked, they are an absolute used bargain!
I shall start with the negatives - the standard Dunlops the bike is supplied with when new are not good when pushing on in corners, they seem to squirm more than they should, taking some confidence away when riding, then there is riding at speed.
If you carry speeds upward of 80mph, due to the wide tank, the aerodynamics are such - that like a scantily clad lady in an Amsterdam shop window - your legs are constantly being pushed open, which does get tiresome(I should imagine, as I never go over the limit of course!).
The tyres can be changed, so we cant include that as a real issue, the latter is unlikely to affect most buyers, as it is a naked, most naked bikes have an issue or two when pushed on toward the ton, so it wont be bought with top end speed in mind I'm sure. Thats the bad stuff covered. Now may I say how blown away by this bike I am. There is a crazy, ill conceived stigma with auto bikes, like you have to change gear to be a man or something, let me put that one to bed right now. This bike gets off the line VERY quickly if you want it to, and keep the power wound on, and it does not disappoint! The ride is good and the seat comfortable, the equipment level is astounding, and genuinely useful too. I thought the bike would be a pig to ride as I initially walked it about, as it felt a little weighty.
But literally as soon as you pull away, this bike is light and agile, how do Aprilia do it?! Build quality is superb and the service parts accessible. The engine braking is effective and predictable, meaning when planning ahead on an easy going run, you shall use your brakes very little. When you do need to throw the anchor out, these stoppers do the trick, large discs and radially mounted callipers see to that. Due to the auto box, there is no better bike I have ridden around town. Where some bikes can be very tiring in stop-start or speeding up and slowing down a lot in and out of built up traffic, this Mana laps it up, this is where it really shines. I took this bike to the Snetterton BSB 2011, and like any other race track, its slow going getting in and out, I was so glad to be on the Mana, I can guarantee I was more relaxed and comfortable than any of the others I was travelling with. Honda have their own auto box out now, which I look forward to trying, until then, this mana is easily the king of the auto's for me(and most other nakeds).
