APRILIA MANA 850 GT (2009 - 2011) Review

The £6999 Mana 850 GT ABS is a clever bike and so much more than just a motorcycle with a big scooter engine. The new fairing and ABS add an extra layer of practicality and safety to a package which seems ordinary on paper, and a bit dull to look at, admittedly, but the Mana 850 GT ABS is absolutely fantastic in real life.

The Mana has a proper motorcycle frame, chunky swingarm, new 17-inch Pirelli Angel ST sports touring tyres, upside down forks and radial brakes. This lets the Aprilia glide over bumps, and brake and corner a thousand times better than a scooter. It’s so much fun.

The Aprilia Mana GT's 839.3cc V-twin has a CVT (continuously variable transmission), but also three ‘auto’ modes: Touring, Sport and Rain, to suit your mood and conditions. It can also be turned into an electronically controlled, semi-automatic seven-speed sequential gearbox with a flick of a button. It’s a willing lump and perfectly suits the effortless riding the clever transmission allows. 

The ManaGT feels plush and well made, almost Honda-like in its build quality.

Real bike spec and components, coupled with advanced transmission, comfort and safety features push the price into real bike territory – but not beyond. And it’s such a hoot to ride, as well as being practical, we call that good value. Find an Aprilia Mana 850 for sale.

The fuel tank is under the seat, leaving room for a big, easy to access storage compartment, large enough for a lid, where the tank normally is. ABS and a fairing add to the safety and practicality and all the controls are well laid-out and easy to use. There’s a mobile-phone holder and a 12V-power socket too. Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia Mana GT in the MCN Shop.