Aprilia Tuono 125 (2003-2005)

As stock the Aprilia Tuono 125 is perfectly acceptable; the 14bhp, two-stroke, reed-valve motor pulls along with reasonable torque until you hit 7500rpm where the restrictor emasculates what’s left of the go. Once de-restricted (it involves cutting into the CDI box and it’s illegal on the road if you don’t have the right licence) power doubles to 28bhp, torque jumps to 17ft lb and top speed nudges the ton. 

Aprilia’s chassis wizards have waved their wands over the tiny Tuono 125, but instead of pulling a rabbit from their hats they’ve produced a greased weasel that stops, goes and turns like a greased weasel. Thanks to the wide bars you can really chuck it about and with the big bike rims sticky tyres are easy to come by.

Spares are a perennial problem with Aprilias. Things like brake levers can take weeks to arrive, which is a pain. The Aprilia Tuono 125 is well-specced as stock, though, with comprehensive clocks, Brembo brakes and nylon crash bungs. Compare and buy parts for the Aprilia Tuono 125 in the MCN Shop.