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APRILIA SOUTH AFRICA has taken delivery of the first shipment of the Italian manufacturer’s highly futuristic automatic motorcycle – the Aprilia Mana – for evaluation. Unlike earlier self-shifting motorcycles that faded into oblivion due to lack of interest caused by sluggish performance, the lively Mana offers riders the option of using any of three fully automatic modes (Sport, Touring and Rain), as well as two manual options, operated either through the usual lever near the left foot, or sequentially via using two buttons on the handle bars. The auto modes are continuously variable, with electronics manipulating gear ratios and throttle response to suit the selected riding conditions, and the two manual options both provide slick shifting through seven ratios without the need for a clutch – much like the speedshifter on a racing motorcycle. The factory says that gear changes are quicker and slicker with this system than with a standard transmission.
The Mana –meaning “the stuff from which magic is made” in Polynesian and other Oceanic languages – is unique in that it’s a full-sized 850cc V-twin motorcycle that combines exciting sports-bike levels of performance on the open road with the practicality of a scooter around town. The bike is loaded with features that make it perfect for the city commuter; there’s a dummy fuel tank that opens to expose a non-slip, non-scratch luggage compartment (with a courtesy light) big enough to accommodate a full-face helmet, along with cellular-phone and document storage compartments. There’s also a 12v power socket, an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that relieves the rider of the burden of operating clutch and gear levers in traffic, an under-the-seat fuel tank that keeps the centre of gravity low, a handbrake for when you park on hills, and a stainless-steel exhaust incorporating a catalytic converter.
But that’s all about the practical side of the Mana as an urban commuter. What about when you just want to have fun, or cover huge distances cross-country in a day? All the right ingredients are there; 76 horsepower from an 850cc 900 V-twin with four valves per cylinder, Weber Marelli fuel injection, a seven-speed manually operated sequential gearbox that allows lightning-quick clutchless shifting, a steel trellis frame with a single-piece aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside-down front forks, monoshock rear suspension adjustable for preload and rebound damping, four-pot radial front brake calipers clamping twin 320mm discs, and a single 260mm rear disc.
The Aprilia Mana has been well received in Europe, where many scooter riders are expected to use it as a means of shifting from basic two-wheeled transport to serious motorcycling, and motorcyclists who do a lot of city commuting are buying it to make life easier in heavy traffic on weekdays, while the sporting nature of the machine makes it an ideal recreational machine.
Engine
Aprilia 90° longitudinal V twin four stroke. Liquid cooled. Single overhead cam with chain drive, four valves per cylinder
Fuel
Unleaded petrol
Bore x stroke
88 x 69 mm
Total displacement
839.3 cc
Compression ratio
10:1
Maximum power at crank
56 kW (76.1 HP) at 8,000 rpm
Maximum torque at crank
7.45 kgm (73 Nm) at 5,000 rpm
Fuel system
Integrated engine management system. Weber Marelli electronic fuel injection with one 38 mm throttle body
Ignition
Digital electronic ignition, with two spark plugs per cylinder, integrated with fuel injection system
Starting
Electric
Exhaust
Two in one system in 100% stainless steel with three-way catalytic converter and Lambda probe
Generator
450 W at 6000 rpm
Lubrication
Dry sump with separate oil reservoir
Gearbox
Sequential with manual or automatic mode selectable by the user.
7 ratios in manual mode.
3 mappings (Touring, Sport, Rain) in automatic mode.
Gear change by pedal or handlebar control.
The user can switch from automatic to sequential mode at any moment.
Clutch
Automatic
Primary drive
Belt
Final drive
Chain
Frame
High strength steel trellis
Front suspension
43 mm upside-down fork. Wheel travel: 120 mm.
Rear suspension
Aluminium alloy single-piece swingarm.
Hydraulic shock absorber adjustable in spring preload and rebound damping. Wheel travel: 125 mm
Brakes
Front: double stainless steel floating disc (Æ 320 mm). Radial calipers with four pistons
Rear: stainless steel disc (Æ 260 mm). Single piston caliper
Wheels
Aluminium alloy.
Front: 3.50 x 17"
Rear: 6.00 x 17"
Tyres
Radial tubeless.
Front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Dimensions
Overall length: 2080 mm
Overall width: 800 mm (at handlebars)
Overall height: 1130 mm
Seat height: 800 mm
Wheelbase: 1463 mm
Trail: 103 mm
Rake angle: 24°
Tank capacity
16 litres
Colours, specifications and technical data may be subject to change without prior notice.
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