2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS Preview

Introduction

Naked motorcycles are known as being versatile and user-friendly, qualities that turn veritable fun commuters out of these things, which always seem to easily find their place on the market. With the 2009 Mana 850 GT, Aprilia adds touring capabilities on top of what still is the body and soul of the original, innovative naked bike.

The new bike is powered by an unchanged 839,3cc, 90-degree V-twin engine (Euro 3 homologated) and values the 76hp and 73Nm with the use of a Sportgear transmission. The intelligent transmission is a Mana characteristic and offers two riding modes: Sequential and Autodrive. The first allows the rider to decide when to change gears either in the classical way (pedal) or by pressing a switch on the handlebar. In case that the rider forgets to downshift when slowing down/decelerating, the Semi-Sequential function intervenes and starts changing down gears. Autodrive mode lets electronics and the CVT transmission to do the entire job for the rider, who only needs to accelerate in order to be supplied with all the needed get-up-and-go. The best of it is that it offers three different mappings: Touring (docile engine and great mileage), Sport (100 per cent use of the engine’s potential) or Rain (to be activated on slippery roads, allowing the rider to change down gears for safe riding). The rider can switch from one mode to another and use the innovative transmission in his favor virtually at all times and in all riding conditions and situations.

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Aprilia builds the Mana 850 GT on a robust steel tube trellis frame with a single piece aluminum swingarm. This, together with the 43mm upside-down fork and spring preload and rebound damping adjustable shock absorber has much to do with the bike being able both to filter traffic around town and gather up hundreds of miles during those long weekend trips.

Like any veritable sport-touring motorcycle, the GT is fitted with an ABS system. The latest generation 2-channel Continental ABS enables riders to use the bike’s entire braking potential even on surfaces with reduced grip without risking to crash as a result of locking the wheels.

Yet another innovative feature of the Mana is the under-seat fuel tank. The 4.22 gallons unit allows for good autonomy, but that’s not the reason why you’ll find it there. A helmet compartment with non-scratch lining for a full-face helmet, with mobile phone holder, toolkit/glove-box and 12V-power socket is located where the fuel tank would normally be and that is why the Italians went for the under-seat tank. Does this mean that you can even ride the Aprilia Mana 850 GT to the office wearing a suit? Yes, and you don’t need to carry the helmet with you and nobody will be aware of the ride that you had on the way to work.

History

2008 Aprilia NA 850 Mana

The Aprilia Mana 850 was introduced at the end of the year 2007 as a 2008 model year and it is now followed by the new GT model.

With their all-new naked bike, Aprilia intended to revolutionize commuting in Europe and, thanks to their ingenious and practical solutions, customers reckon they actually did. But the need was felt for the bike to be more capable once it hits the open road and that is why the half-faired version, which is ostentatiously called GT, is now being produced and sold.

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Competition

The whole idea behind the original project was to have something more than a middleweight, but in no case a 1000cc bike because of pricing reasons. The end result positions the Mana 850 GT next to no fair contender from various reasons: even the Yamaha FZ6S (not to mention the FZ1) is too powerful to consider the Mana 850 GT a decent contender, while the Ducati Monsters are alternatives for the naked model rather than the sport-touring one.

Exterior

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Considering the fact that technically, the GT model is the same as the simple one, we would have expected the new one to radically stand apart as the best looking Mana model. It does, don’t get us wrong, but not at the level that we were expecting. The only difference consists in the stylish fairing with adjustable windshield that is built around the round headlight, a Mana characteristic.

Like on the standard model, the 4.22 gallons tank is positioned low under the seat for better weight distribution and a low center of gravity. The bike already sounds fun to ride, but things get even more interesting when hitting the switch which electrically opens the storage compartment’s lid. As mentioned before, the illuminated storage compartment is lined with non-slip, non-scratch material and big enough to hold a full-face helmet as well as a mobile-phone holder and a 12V-power socket, which is a first not just for the category, but for motorcycles in general.

Overall, the bike looks well put together, beautiful, but I won’t call it aggressive. Colors available are Bianco Glam and Blu Planet.

Price

While the simple 2009 Mana 850 retails for $9,899, Aprilia hasn’t yet announced the US MSRP for the GT (in case that they finally decide to actually sell the bike here). Basing on the fact that in Europe, the GT model starts at €10,550, we’re expecting it to retail at just over $13K in America.

Conclusion

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

We haven’t yet got the chance to ride the brand new 2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT, but seeing the facts makes us believe that it’s as easy to work with as a scooter, while offering the riding excitement of a real motorcycle. Still, it is early to pronounce our verdict on this motorcycle so we’ll simply call it extremely interesting for the moment.

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SPECIFICATIONS

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Engine and Transmission

Engine: Aprilia longitudinal 90° V-twin engine, 4 stroke, liquid cooled, single overhead cam with chain drive, four valves per cylinder.
Fuel: Unleaded fuel
Bore x Stroke: 88 x 69 mm
Total displacement: 839,3 cc
Compression ratio: 10:1
Maximum power at the crank: 56 kW (76.1 cv) a 8.000 rpm.
Maximum torque at the crank: 7,45 kgm (73 Nm) a 5.000 rpm.
Fuel system: Integrated electronic engine management system. Weber Marelli electronic injection with 38-mm throttle body.
Ignition: Digital electronic, with two spark plugs per cylinder, integrated with fuel injection system.
Starting: Electric.
Exhaust: 2 into 1 exhaust system in 100% stainless steel with three-way catalytic converter and lambda probe.
Generator: 450 W a 6000 rpm.
Lubrification: Dry sump system with separate oil tank.
Gear box: Sequential with manual or automatic mode selectable by the user. 7 ratios in manual mode. 3 mappings (Touring – Sport - Rain) in Autodrive mode. Gear change by pedal or handlebar control. The user can switch from automatic to sequential mode and vice versa at any time.
Clutch: Automatic.
Primary drive: Belt.
Final drive: Chain.

Chassis and Dimensions

Frame: High-strength steel trellis.
Front suspension: Upside-down fork, 43 mm stanchions. Wheel travel 120 mm.
Rear suspension: Single- piece aluminium alloy swingarm.
Shock absorbers: shock absorber with adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. Wheel travel 125 mm.
Brakes: Front: dual  320 mm diam. stainless steel floating discs. Radial calipers with four pistons. Rear:  260 mm stainless steel disc. Single piston caliper. 2-channel Continental ABS system.
Wheels: Aluminium alloy Front: 3.50 X 17" Rear: 6.00 x 17"
Tyres: Radials tubeless front: 120/70 ZR 17 rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Dimensions: Max. length 2,080 mm Max. width 800 mm (at handlebar) Max. height 1,270 mm (1,320 mm at rear-view mirrors) Saddle height 800 mm Wheelbase 1,463 mm Trail 101 mm Steering angle 24°
Fuel tank capacity: 16 liters.

Aprilia Mana GT 850’s special features:

2009 Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS

Half-fairing with adjustable windshield;
Sportgear transmission: electronically controlled sequential gearshift with two shift modes: seven speed manual or Autodrive with three different mappings: Sport/Touring/Rain;
Helmet compartment with non-scratch lining for a full-face helmet, with mobile phone holder, toolkit/glove-box and 12V-power socket;
New latest generation 2-channel Continental ABS system as standard
Lateral shock absorber easily adjustable with the hand grip in preload and extension;
90° V engine with four valves per cylinder, Euro 3 homologated;
Brakes with radial calipers;
43- mm upside down fork;
Steel trellis frame with single piece aluminium swingarm;
Under-seat fuel tank.