Tuesday, December 21, 2010

APRILIA Mana GT 850 (2010)

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The 2010 Aprilia Mana GT 850 is a completely new motorcycling concept with a Sportgear sequential / automatic transmission, radial brake calipers, helmet compartment and upside down forks. The Aprilia Mana combines the potential of the motorcycle with an unmatched functional nature and flexibility of use. A unique bike in the motorcycling world with a potentially endless number of variations: this is the Aprilia Mana GT 850, the version that extends the proverbial versatility of the 850 cc produced by Piaggio even further.

The 2010 Mana GT 850 is Aprilia's response to a constantly evolving market, which is increasingly aware of mobility needs, impatient to try out vehicles that satisfy in daily use as well as on long trips. The Mana GT version is designed to do just that: an elegant half-fairing perfectly integrated in the lines of the bike protects both rider and passenger on long journeys as well as in daily commuting making the bike ideal for touring. The adjustable windshield means that the level of protection can be adjusted to suit your own needs with a unique level of customization.

The half-fairing makes the GT version even more unique and lets you get the very best out of the V2 850-engine performance with Sportgear transmission. A twin cylinder engine that with its 76 HP and exceptionally flat torque curve gives excellent performance already at low revs, in acceleration, pick-up and at speed, and is the perfect match for the touring soul of the Mana 850 GT and the motorcyclist's need for responsiveness.

Intelligent Transmission
The primary drive is the focal point of the entire Mana range. The Sportgear transmission offers the rider a choice of different driving modes:

1) Sequential mode: The rider decides when to change gear by using the conventional control on the pedal or by pressing a switch on the handlebars as desired. An electronically controlled servomechanism acts on the main pulley that changes the gearshift mode with seven gear ratios amazingly quickly. Only during deceleration, if the rider does not manually change gear, the engine automatically changes down gear using the Semi-Sequential function and preventing the minimum RPM threshold from going below the set limit. This is another valuable aid for safe riding.

2) Fully automatic mode (Autodrive): the sophisticated electronics control everything and the CVT transmission keeps the engine running at maximum torque speed for optimum pick-up and acceleration. The rider can choose from three different mappings:

= Touring: for those who want a softer power delivery and minimum fuel consumption;
= Sport: for maximum performance and quick acceleration;
= Rain: on wet or slippery roads in maximum safety;

Semi-Autodrive mode only allows the rider to change down gear. This is useful for overtaking at maximum torque revs or when riding down a hill when engine braking is required. You can switch from Autodrive to Sequential mode and vice versa at any time and in any riding conditions. The handlebar gearshift control can be disabled from the instrument panel.

With this technical solution, the Mana GT 850 adapts perfectly to any type of road and offers relaxed cruising or exhilarating sports riding depending on the rider's needs or wishes.

Design
The 2010 Aprilia Mana GT 850 uses the same technical base as the Mana and shares the same exclusive and unmistakable Italian design. The original fairing with adjustable windshield that surrounds the characteristic round headlamp, a distinctive feature of the Mana range, is practical and elegant.

The 16-liter tank is located under the saddle, in a lower position, to distribute weight more evenly and lower the bike's centre of gravity, making it incredibly light and easy to ride. Its usual place is taken by an illuminated compartment - lined with slip-proof, scratch-proof material - that can not only house a flip up helmet, but also contains a housing for your mobile phone and a 12V socket.

Like its Naked sister bike, the compartment is opened electrically by a switch on the handlebar. A hydropneumatic damper is designed to prevent accidental opening while the motorcycle is in motion. A manually operated lever under the passenger seat is provided to release the compartment lid in the event of a flat battery.

Chassis
The refined chassis on the Aprilia Mana GT 850 guarantees a relaxed, safe handling motorcycle on all road surfaces. The robust steel tube trellis frame has a single piece aluminum swingarm that directly controls a laterally-offset shock absorber that frees precious space for the exhaust pipe in the delicate area behind the engine which makes the motorcycle very compact and manageable when changing direction both in town traffic and when out riding in the hills during the weekend.

On the Mana GT 850 the spring preload and damper rebound can be adjusted with a knob and has been moved to the outside. It can be easily accessed for quick and precise adjustments to adapt to your own particular riding needs and bike load (passenger, luggage, etc.).

The 43-mm upside down fork slides easily and has an optimized set-up that suits the new weight distribution and the touring nature of this bike. Its 120-mm front wheel travel allows you to effortlessly tackle all sorts of road surface and offers the right support even under sport riding conditions.

Braking
The Aprilia Mana GT 850 has an efficient braking system, which has a front system with 320 mm discs and radial calipers, combined with a latest generation two-channel Continental ABS system - fitted as standard - that increases active and passive riding safety even when braking on difficult road surfaces, avoiding locking up the brakes as well as improving braking performance. In fact, on the Mana 850 GT ABS all riders can fully use the bike's generous braking power in perfect safety on any road surface.