Naked sister to RS 125
Same engine, different bars
Tuono 125 shares the RS 125's engine, frame, suspension, brakes, and most electronics. Differences: streetfighter handlebar (replaces clip-ons), no fairing, slightly raised seat. £500 less than the RS 125. The Tuono is for buyers who'd rather have an upright bike than a sport-bike.
Born of Tuono 1000 → Tuono V4
Lineage from 1000cc
The Tuono name originally appeared on the Aprilia Tuono 1000 (2002) — a naked version of the Mille superbike. Then Tuono V4 (2011), now Tuono V4 (2026). The Tuono 125 launched in 2017 as the entry-point to the lineage. Same naming convention KTM uses (Duke 125 → Duke 1290), Yamaha (MT-125 → MT-09).
Why it took until 2017
Aprilia's 125 commercial choice
Aprilia could have made a Tuono 125 anytime after the 4-stroke RS 125 launched in 2010. They waited until 2017 — the year KTM 125 Duke was selling well in Europe and Yamaha MT-125 had been on sale 3 years. Aprilia waited for the segment to be proven before committing R&D. Cautious commercial decision.
Pricing position
Cheapest Italian A1 naked
£4,800 puts the Tuono 125 below KTM 125 Duke (£4,899), Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 (~£5k+), Yamaha MT-125 (£4,704 — narrowly cheaper), Honda CB125R (£4,399 — cheapest in class). The Tuono is mid-pack on price, slightly above the Yamaha and Honda. For Aprilia, this is unusually competitive pricing.
Build vs Japanese rivals
Italian flair, less polish
Side-by-side, the Tuono 125 has slightly less refined fit and finish than a Honda CB125R or Yamaha MT-125 — switch action, panel gaps, lever feel. Trade-off: it looks more interesting, has more character, and stands out in a car park. Choice of bike is choice of priorities.
Quickshifter as option
Aprilia race DNA
Tuono 125 (and RS 125) offer quickshifter as an option — a £350 add-on. KTM 125 Duke offers it. Yamaha MT-125 doesn't. Aprilia bringing race-bike features down to A1 level shows the brand's racing roots. For a learner, having a quickshifter is partially-overkill, partially-good practice for future bigger bikes.
Insurance group
Group 5 (low)
Tuono 125 sits in insurance group 5 — same as RS 125, MT-125, CB125R. Realistic UK fully-comp ~£200-£300/year for a 17-25 year old, away from central London. Younger riders or central London postcodes can hit £500-£800. Same brackets as rival 125s — Italian-ness doesn't penalise insurance.
