APRILIA MANA 850:The Mana is a good commuting alternative to a 'real' bike, reports Conor Twomey
SCOOTERS ARE all well and good for city-based commuters, but for the thousands of people living in commuter towns, a scooter isn't really a feasible way of getting about. I know a couple of riders who've had to give up their scooters and join the traffic jams when they moved out of town. They've been reluctant to get a full-blown motorcycle, because they lack the practicality and point-and-squirt simplicity of a scooter and I think a few also found the prospect a little daunting.
Thankfully, Aprilia has spotted this gap in the market and have decided to fill it with the Aprilia Mana 850, a bike aimed squarely at people thinking about making the transition from scooter to motorbike.
So what makes the Mana so special compared to other motorbikes? Well, for one, it doesn't have a clutch lever and it doesn't really have any gears either, so the riding experience is distinctly scooter-like from that perpective. Instead of a gearbox, the Mana employs a CVT transmission, which uses a metal belt and two variable-ratio pulleys to transfer drive from engine to the rear wheel.
Because it's a step-less transmission, there's no jerkiness or unwanted kicks as you ride along, and maximum acceleration is never more than a quick twist away. It's a simple, lightweight alternative to an automatic transmission or an automated manual gearbox and because it's computer controlled, it can be adjusted depending on conditions using the simple mode button.
Touring mode keeps the revs low, allowing the Mana to ride the engine's torque, extending its range and keeping noise and vibrations down; Sport mode strives to keep the engine on the boil, while also sharpening the throttle response noticeably, while Rain mode slurs the throttle, and keeps revs low to avoid unwanted wheelspin.
When the right road comes along, however, it's possible to flick the Sportgear transmission into manual mode and avail of the Mana's seven pre-determined "gears".
The "gears" are really just pre-set points on the CVT pulleys designed to replicate the feel of an actual gearbox and, to be fair, it's extremely faithful to those pre-programmed ratios. "Gears" are engaged instantaneously and smoothly using switches on the left grip or the traditional foot selector (which is unnaturally light, by the way), but more importantly, throttle response feels just as sharp as it would on a traditional manual gearbox, which means you can exploit the Mana's fine chassis to the full.
Although the transmission will feel reassuringly familiar to scooter riders, the power will be a pleasant surprise. The Mana is powered by a dry-sump, four-valve, 839cc V-Twin engine that produces 76hp and 8,000rpm and a 73Nm at 5,000rpm, bestowing the lightweight Mana with plenty of poke, especially from a standing start - where its CVT transmission really comes into its own.
As with all Aprilia bikes, the Mana's tubular trellis frame offers impressive rigidity, so it feels lively and lithe over the most challenging of roads, but it's also a comfortable machine on the motorway, cruising with refinement and stability.
It's here the Mana's superiority over even the biggest "maxi scooter" makes itself felt - the riding position, performance and stability make it an ideal bike for a long daily trek, although you will need to invest in a little extra weather protection. It could easily be fitted with optional panniers and a windscreen, and be used as a proper touring bike, it's that competent an all-rounder.
At the same time, the Mana is nimble and wieldy around town, combining impressive manoeuvrability and surprising ride comfort with better visibility, infinitely sharper brakes and vast superior responsiveness than the average scooter, making it a safer way to zip around town, too. The Mana's not finished wooing the sceptical scooter buyer yet, though. Its 16-litre fuel tank is under the seat (which lowers the bike's centre of gravity and helps handling) so the traditional tank location is occupied instead by a huge storage area, big enough for a full-face helmet.
It's illuminated, lined with non-scratch material, and even has a 12V power socket for charging phones and navigation systems or even powering heated clothing. It's opened by a small switch on the handlebars, and is held open with a small strut, while the location of this storage compartment means it's incredibly useful for day-to-day riding, allowing you to throw the contents of your pockets into this waterproof storage spot, instead of jabbing yourself in the unmentionables with the house keys.
At €9,950 it's decent value, too, particularly when you consider that it's really three bikes all in one: a sport bike, a tourer and a scooter. Most maxi scooters cost more than the Mana, and can't touch it for performance, agility or coolness, while still requiring you to get another bike if you plan to hit the back roads or take your bike on a long-distance holiday. The Mana is about the best all-rounder you can get, and is definitely worth a look if you just can't bear the thought of those hours of commuting anymore.
FACTFILE: APRILIA Mana 850
Engine: 839cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve V-twin
Output: 76hp, 73Nm
Performance: N/A
Transmission: CVT transmission, seven artificial speedsm belt drive
Frame: tubular steel trellis
Dimensions: Length: 2,080mm, Width: 800mm, Wheelbase: 1,463mm, Seat
Height: 800mm
Weight: 200kg dry
Suspension: 43mm USD telescopic forks, aluminium swingarm with adjustable monoshock
Wheels: Aluminium Alloy, 17" front and rear
Tyres: Front 120/70 ZR 17 Rear 180/55 ZR 17
Brakes: four-piston radial front calliper, double 320mm disc; one-piston rear calliper, 260mm single disc
Price: €9,950