Aprilia NA 850 Mana, a modern naked with a revolutionary gearbox

The new NA 850 Mana is Aprilias most revolutionary bike. © Aprilia. Aprilia unveiled the brand new NA 850 Mana at the EICMA Show in Milan. Presented as Aprilias most innovative and advanced production motorcycle, the NA 850 Mana explores new frontiers in mobility, a modern naked, powerful and fun, with a revolutionary gearbox, electronically controlled for unique riding pleasure.

The NA 850 Mana is today the maximum of advanced technology applied to a bike. A bike capable of delivering great satisfaction in any conditions, from about town trips to routes demanding a sporty ride. A simple touch on the handlebar button and the Aprilia NA 850 Mana takes you into another world.

Completely automatic transmission with three mappings, or sequential gear change with seven gears... with the Aprilia NA 850 Mana it is literally impossible not to find the most suitable configuration for the particular traffic and/or riding conditions or your specific needs. Whether tackling an about-town trip or a winding road, the Sport Gear always performs with the same brilliance and gives the same riding pleasure. The rider can choose the right solution for every situation.

The 90° V twin engine is the perfect partner for this type of gearbox. Compact, brilliant and clean. It is Euro 3 compliant, thanks to the electronic injection and exhaust with catalytic converter. High power and torque guarantee a sporty ride, particularly in acceleration where the Aprilia NA 850 Mana burns up everyone at the traffic lights, practically unbeatable, not just by nakeds of the same capacity, but also many sports bikes as well. All with the maximum riding simplicity. The Aprilia NA 850 Mana is friendly technology which simplifies life. There is no clutch lever. Everything is controlled electronically, leaving the rider free to enjoy the ride. The sequential gear change is controlled by a convenient command on the handlebars, or alternatively by a traditional pedal command.

In common with all Aprilias, meticulous chassis design makes the bike a superb ride. The tubular steel trellis frame is extremely strong with excellent torsional rigidity. Combined with a single-piece aluminium swingarm and advanced suspension, it makes the NA 850 Mana able to satisfy even the most demanding rider. The top quality brakes increase active safety, thanks to the standard setting braking distance.

The Design

The concept of utility design always applied to all Aprilia projects is even more valid in the NA 850 Mana. A sports naked in appearance, but capable of unique versatility. The NA 850 Mana represents the perfect mix of sports personality and elegance, thanks to a modern reassuring design. As on any Aprilia naked, the technical elements also become design elements. Engine, tank, airbox, frame and exhaust all help give the NA 850 Mana its special character and the personality it needs to stand out from the crowd.

A design which is also the result of daring and innovative technical features. The tank is located lower down under the seat, helping centralise masses and lower the centre of gravity. Its "traditional" place is taken by a helmet compartment able to accommodate a full-face helmet and other objects. The NA 850 Mana is therefore the first bike to offer a genuine integrated helmet compartment, uniquely practical and convenient, particularly about town and on short trips. The compartment is unlocked electrically by means of a control on the handlebars, a safety lock which prevents accidental opening.

Engine

Without the shadow of a doubt, the NA 850 Mana engine sheds new light on the future of the bike. Two cylinders, electronic fuel injection, high torque, but above all innovative transmission replacing the traditional mechanical gearbox. An engine which opens up new frontiers in bike riding, whether sporty or otherwise.

An engineering idea which Aprilia has developed by fully exploiting the technical know-how of its best engineers and the top level capabilities of its in-house research and development department.

NA 850 Mana: the future of the gearbox

The primary drive is without doubt the focal point of this innovative engine. Thanks to the electronically controlled sequential transmission, the rider can choose from various riding styles.

The rider has two possible options:

- Completely automatic: everything is controlled electronically, the CVT transmission enables the engine to be run at maximum torque at all times, emphasising pick-up and acceleration. The electronic control system has three different mappings (Touring, Sport and Rain), enabling the rider to choose the type of operation most appropriate to the situation or his own needs.

- Sequential: The rider chooses the gear himself by means of either the control on the handlebars or the pedal command. A servo-assisted mechanism acts mechanically on the main pulley, making changing between the seven ratios extremely rapid.

The rider can switch from automatic to sequential at any time and in any riding conditions.

The Aprilia NA 850 Mana engine does not in any way make the ride less enjoyable. Quite the opposite, it adds the enjoyment of ultra-rapid gear changes which improve the performance of the engine in acceleration or on demanding routes. All it takes is a click to pass from one mode to the other, from a relaxed ride to a sporty ride. The engine therefore multiplies the potential of the bike.

The 90° V structure was chosen for its torque and power delivery characteristics and combines perfectly with this type of transmission... 850 cc for 75 HP at the crank and torque of up to 8 kgm at particularly low engine speeds (5750 revs). Figures which give a good idea of the performance of this engine which certainly does not suffer from an inferiority complex, even when compared with more sporty bikes, partly thanks to its incredible acceleration.

The four valves per cylinder are controlled by a single overhead camshaft with chain drive, simplifying maintenance while at the same time guaranteeing efficient performance. As is usual for Aprilia high capacity engines, lubrication is dry sump, with a separate tank integrated into the engine to keep the weight of the assembly down.

Engine breathing benefits from the particularly large volumes of both the airbox and the exhaust. The electronic engine management involves a sophisticated Weber Marelli fuel injection system with one 38 mm throttle body and an ignition system with two spark plugs per cylinder, features which result in optimum combustion at all speeds, improving performance and reducing pollution.

An engine not just high performance, but also extremely environmentally friendly. The stainless steel exhaust with catalytic converter and Lambda probe oxygen sensor make the Aprilia NA 850 Mana fully Euro 3 compliant.

Frame

The sports personality of the Aprilia NA 850 Mana is emphasised not just by the engine, but also by the chassis. As with all Aprilia bikes, the structure chosen for the NA 850 Mana was developed hand in hand with the engine to guarantee that harmony between the performance of the mechanics and chassis which has always been the pride of all Aprilia bikes.

The large-section tubular steel trellis frame sets new standards of rigidity for its class, perfectly in harmony with the other characteristics of this innovative engine and guaranteeing a superb ride. The single-piece aluminium swingarm controls a second shock absorber. The shock absorber is located at the side to reduce the length of the bike as far as possible. The wheelbase in fact measures just 1463 mm, making the bike extremely short for even a sporty naked.

Suspension

As in all Aprilia bikes, the exceptional quality of the chassis is also achieved through optimum definition of the type and calibration of the suspension. The Aprilia NA 850 Mana accepts no compromises.

The 43 mm upside down fork provides exceptional smoothness. The 120 mm wheel travel makes the bike equally at home on any route.

The shock absorber, located at the side to help keep the length of the bike down, is operated directly from the swingarm and provides adjustments for spring reload and rebound. The rear wheel travel is 125 mm.

The brakes

The best technology currently available on the market is used to guarantee maximum efficiency. The radial calipers with four pistons are reminiscent of the race track. Top level brakes which give the Aprilia NA 850 Mana unbeatable braking. The 320 mm disks at the front, a generous standard size for Aprilia sports bikes, are supported by a 240 mm rear disk brake.
(Aprilia)

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