As many of you already know, Aprilia is introducing the 850 Mana, available first in Italy, and while I’m not sure where it will be going next, the US website has no mention of it. That’s too bad for riders here because this looks like a really nice bike. The Mana has Aprilia’s “Sportgear” transmission which can operate with your choice of 3 different “Autodrive” mappings or as a manual sequential seven speed.
– Sequential mode: The rider decides for himself when to change gear, either using the conventional pedal or a switch on the handlebars. A servo mechanism shifts the main pulley to change between the seven gear ratios amazingly quickly.
– Fully automatic mode (Autodrive): Sophisticated electronics assume control over everything, and the CVT transmission keeps the engine running at maximum torque speed for optimum pickup and acceleration. The Sportgear transmission offers a choice of three mappings:
Touring: for minimum consumption and maximum usability,
Sport: for top performance with blistering acceleration,
Rain: for use on wet or slippery roads
– Semi-Autodrive mode: it allows the rider only to change down independently. This is particularly useful for overtaking at maximum torque revs or for boosting engine braking when riding down a hill.
The 90 degree 76 hp V-Twin engine displaces 839cc and the clutch is fully automatic though the transmission can be operated by a foot lever or handlebar control. Having the manual or automatic choice makes this a pretty interesting bike, an easy commuter or a fun bike for the back roads. It has a very nice storage compartment, too, something usually missing on mid sized motorcycles.
I believe there will be a pretty healthy demand for this bike though you never know until it actually hits the showrooms. How well it actually works once test rides take place will also play a role in how quickly it’s accepted by potential buyers. If it does well, a lot of other manufacturers will be scrambling to get their own version out. This is one I would like to test ride.
More photos and link below:
Link: Aprilia Mana Website
Chris says
Wow, good-looking and functional. Guess that pretty much guarantees we won’t ever see it here 🙁
Love the built-in helmet locker. You’d never know it was there if not for that photo.
cl
hoyt says
This could prove to be a very smart move by Aprilia. The scooter rider now has a good alternative when they go to replace their aging 2 stroke scooter.
In addition, now that the technology is in production, Aprilia could adapt it to smaller bikes to attract the new rider.
Keith says
Wow , is that a freakn’ ugly bike or what ?
Clive M-Sanders says
Wheres the gat dang gas tank? Id rather carry my helmet and have an extra 2 gallons of gas…
Ry says
The storage is really neat! I think this would make a nice starter bike for the ladies, with the auto trans and a spot to put their purse. Hoyt I Like the scooter replacement Idea, this would make a nice commuter bike if offered in a smaller package.
Erik says
Pretty neat features and I kind of like the helmet storage but only if there’s still a minimum of a 4+ gallon gas tank. I hate bikes with really, really short range.
I like the multiple shifting choices and would be really interested in trying out the rain setting to see how well it works.
PigIron says
Since when are 850cc motorcycles “mid” sized? I’ll bet it easily weighs over 500 lbs. wet too.
kneeslider says
Erik, the tank is 16 liters – 4.2 gallons
PigIron, in the era of 1800cc V-Twins and 2300cc triples, I think an 850 is mid sized. I couldn’t find the weight spec.
Nathan French says
Nothing special, I’d rather have a Hornet.
todd says
Yeah, at 850cc (and probably 500lbs) it’s a tad too large and ungainly for around town riding, which I assume is why it has an auto-tanny feature. Its size and power make it more suited to long distance riding where replacing the helmet storage with an aux. tank and adding a windshield would make a bit of sense.
I think the optimal automatic commuter/around-towner bike would be very light and maneuverable; something like a 250 or 400 and weigh in much closer to 300 lbs.
Regardless, it looks nice and would be an indirect competitor for the BMW F650CS. But I guess BMW doesn’t import that bike any more so maybe they know something that Aprilia doesn’t.
-todd
GenWaylaid says
Some of the biggest touring scooters such as the Burgman have had computer-controlled CVTs for several years now. It’s high time this arrangement was tried in a motorcycle. Nowadays you don’t have to choose between a manual and an outright slushbox, there are plenty of different ways of offering an automatic transmission option.
Still, at 840cc this does not even come close to my definition of a “commuter” bike. It’s two, almost three times as much displacement as commuting would require. To me, the Mana looks more like a sport tourer which has been scaled down enough to earn its keep commuting on the weekdays.
Despite the automatic transmission, it’s also a far cry from a beginner bike. A really good, non-intimidating beginner motorcycle would combine an automatic transmission with a suitably low weight and a lower-than-average seat height. I suspect most of the Mana’s buyers will be scooter riders who want a larger ride. There should be plenty of those in Italy.
seattle says
Fuel capacity is 16-liters (4.2 gallons) and dry weight is 417-lbs which includes storage for a full-face helmet. USA dealers can place orders now for summer 2008 delivery.
An automatic motorcycle is a better solution for any bike 250cc and larger. There are inherent design problems and handling issues with scooters including but not limited to rearward weight bias and high unsprung weight due to the engine-swingarm configuration. Also note that with a full tubular steel frame and full bodywork this naked motorcycle morphs into a scooter with a dry weight of 518-lbs (Gilera GP800) using the same engine.
While most scooters use a simple rubber-belt CVT, the Mana uses an electronically-controlled belt CVT system with final reduction chain drive. My issue with belt CVTs is the poor off-the-line performance. Honda’s hydraulic-mechanical transmission sounds like a better solution considering the fact that industrial hydraulic transmissions are extremely efficient at immediately transferring torque. Of course, somebody will need to dyno both the hydraulic transmission DN-01 and the Mana to see which system more efficiently transfers energy to the rear wheel. Also, someone will have to do an on-road test of off-the-line performance comparing both bikes since I suspect the DN-01 will be a little overweight (I’m estimating 525-lbs dry).
Finally, my personal opinion is that the manufacturers are missing the mark by going to larger displacement engines. People are demanding more acceleration, better performance, and better handling from scooters but they still want a bike intended for commuting and urban-city use. What is really needed is something like a 300cc Twin engine in a small lightweight motorcycle mated to an automatic transmission that offers better performance than the belt CVT scooter transmissions. It’s time for the manufactures to explore other automatic transmission systems such as Toroidal CVT, NuVinchi CVP, etc.
Finally, the thing that made the least sense to me was Yamaha putting their clutchless YCCS system on a 1300cc sport-touring bike that spends most of the day touring on the highway in the same gear. It belongs on a little bike with a low seat height that is specifically designed as a city bike – perhaps using the XT250 engine and the front storage idea from the Mana.
Mayakovski says
YAWN.
hoyt says
The Milan scooter rider can replace their commuter with the Mana. Now, 2-up trips to Tuscany are more fun than on the scooter.
I would think aprilia will adapt this tech to smaller bikes for the brand new rider. It would be interesting to see the difference in profit margins between scooters and a slightly larger bike with this tech.
stacius says
I’m withholding judgement until I can actually get on one and see for myself.
I commute on an 805cc Kawasaki Drifter and a 750 ‘naked’ GPZ. Most of my riding is done in traffic.
From what I understand, you can still clutch on the Mana if you want to.
Sounds like something I’d like to try.
seattle says
Hoyt Says: “I would think aprilia will adapt this tech to smaller bikes for the brand new rider.”
Let’s hope. A small version of this naked motorcycle (same wheelbase, final chain drive, and front storage) with a 28-inch seat height and the Piaggio 492.7cc 41.2-HP single cylinder engine would be both lighter and more practical for the city. They might even want to drop from 17-inch to 16-inch wheels on such a bike.
seattle says
Kind of pointless to rage against the dry weight claim of the Mana when all the manufacturers do this. It is useful for rough comparison between different bikes even if one needs to assume an extra 60-lbs for curb weight. That said, the Mana will be roughly the same weight as the Guzzi Breva 750 after adding a bracket and topbox. Considering the fact that the Mana 850 and Breva 750 will be competing against each other as upright-seated commuter bikes – the 76-HP/Auto is much more attractive the 49-HP/5-Speed.
coho says
I like it.
If I still liked it after I rode it for an hour or so I’d consider buying one.
It has a certain “practicalness” – it would be a good choice for someone who could only have (for whatever reason) one bike.
If it were more in the 500-650ish cc range (and correspondingly lighter)it would be an excellent urban choice. A CVT would take a lot of the sting out of not being able to lane split.
That back slanted headlight looks like the Brutale.
Matt in NC says
I haven’t seen this mentioned here yet, Motorcycle News in the UK has a first ride video of this bike:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1119137831/bctid1213887840
taxman says
i think the bike is nice looking. if it were any smaller engine-wise it wouldn’t have enough power for the highway. i think it is a good all around engine size. big enough to not have trouble on the highway, with an auto trany for in town. i’d like to take it for a test ride.
todd says
not enough power for the highway? Even the Kawasaki 250 Ninja will do a bit over 100 mph; It only has a third the power this bike has. The Mana has 50% more power than my 750 BMW daily commuter has and I’ve never been in a situation where I’ve ran out of power.
-todd
Sean says
It’s about 600cc too big.
guitargeek says
Auto… matic??
Why???
I LIKE the fact that one has to learn how to operate a manual transmission in order to ride a motorcycle. It represents a level of commitment.
Jeff says
The scooter crowd is taking over ! Ahhhhh ! The MODS are coming ! The Mods are coming !
arkansas says
I like it. It looks like my SV650. I love my 400 burgman, but i will probably sell it and take the trailer down to Texas and buy this bike when and if it makes it here. I like the power(850cc).
I like the choices.
Ken says
This bike should sell if they don’t make it too pricey. I think they made it a standard to appeal to the largest range of riders. As compared to Honda’s hydraulic auto, magazine testers have been kinda critical of them in Honda’s atvs, whereas all the others use CVT. If you’ve ever ridden Can-am’s 800 Renegade with a CVT it comes come off the line very hard. I will definitely test ride one.
Thomas Cat says
Nah , ill stick to my Suzuki gsx250f Across, its got a boot and even though its 16 years old, it looks beter.
The auto is a good feature, but stick a fairing on it please, doesnt look good naked
Hangdog98 says
I rode one for about 30 mins. I currently ride a ZX1100E with 130hp and a 6 speed box and I’ve ridden and raced for two decades. The funny thing is that the Mana’s 75hp is always there, I mean in Sport mode you are always ‘on the pipe’ and this thing just picks up with a twist of the throttle. The end result is that this bike can be punted along much faster than my 130hp Kawasaki on anything other than the autobahn. It took 15 mins to get used to but you soon learn to dive deeper into the corner, brake later, turn and get on the gas… HARD and the Mana is always at the peak of the power and stays there. On a regular sportbike gearbox there’s a whole lot more to do when riding fast along a mountain road. With the Mana, it’s point and shoot and feel the flow of the road. Bottom line? I’m selling the Kawasaki and buying an Aprilia Mana. I’m going to change the bars and CNC some rearsets, maybe change the color scheme for something more like Biaggi’s Superbike, but the fact is that I’m much faster on this thing. Let’s face it, gear shifting is already a computer controlled sequential operation on F1 cars and high priced exotics. This is definitely the future of motorcycle transmissions. I hope Aprilia releases a full fairing RSV style bike with this package.
Andrew says
HangDog98 – I couldn’t agree with you more!! Although I haven’t been bitten by the racing bug yet, a test drive of this machine had me convinced 500 feet from the dealer. There are always going to be pessimistic views from those without first hand knowledge, and that’s fine. All I can say is if you see one at a dealer, ask if you can take it for a short spin. If you see someone on the road with one, good luck trying to convince them to get off it so you can try it 😉
StaffWriter says
I like the concept of having an automatic bike. I don’t understand why having an automatic tranny on a bike is such a taboo subject. I have been reading motorcycle magazines and pining for a bike for almost a decade but haven’t got the confidence to learn how to ride one with a manual transmission nor do I want to go out riding a scooter, looking like an idiot (sorry scooter fans!). I think beginners would take very well to a bike like this and would enjoy the entire motorcycling experience much more without having to worry about changing gears and such. I may be wrong, since I do not ride and maybe I’m missing out on why the subject is so taboo since I am on the outside looking in. The Mana is dog ugly (while the shiver has a much more aggressive and angular look, which is pretty baddass) and would love for one of the Japanese companies (besides that big ugly Honda “C” model) to come out with an automatic transmission on a much sportier model, something like the Ninja 250. Something for a female beginner who wants nothing short of a sportbike full fairing look. I’d buy that in a heartbeat. In fact, I’d consider buying the Mana, despite its appearance, just to be able to enjoy a wonderful riding experience. Riders like guitargeek want to keep motorcycle riding exclusive, while the companies should expand their riding base to those who are intimidated by the whole manual transmission thing like myself. Ten years of yearning for a bike! I think I’ve earned it! Thanks, Aprilia! Next time, just drop that automatic tranny in a small sportbike package with a low seat height for about $6000 and I’ll buy it without hesitation.