2009 Aprilia Mana 850 Vs. Flatbush Avenue

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Flatbush_Avenue.jpg

Photo: Brk in Brklyn

What is the Aprilia Mana 850? With its CVT transmission and parking brake, is it a scooter? Do the powerful v-twin, chain final drive and steel trellis frame make it a naked bike? Does the storage area in the fake tank make it a tourer? We ride it from Brooklyn’s outer reaches to its richest neighborhood via the land that real estate agents forgot — all on one road — to find out.
 
Click below for the feature:
Aprilia Mana 850 Vs. Flatbush Avenue

  • Remy

    Your graphs are my favorite part of this site. Thanks another unique review.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      Thanks, Remy.

    • John

      A belated (came here from the 30 Manas in China article) Yes vote for the graph; nicely done. And, Wes’ prose was excellent. I’ve never ridden in New York but I got a glimpse with actually having to change underwear after. Thanks.

  • HerbL

    As a Mana owner and one whose forebears (one generation removed) inhabited the lands of Flatbush, I read with great interest your review of my current steed. Sure, it has its’ little quirks but it does indeed live up to the original plan…the perfect commuter with a possible wild side. Your story seems to agree.

  • http://matthewabate.wordpress.com Matthew

    I think I saw this bike parked in DUMBO yesterday and I wanted it.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      You should, Matthew. Select Full-Sport mode and the fly-by-wire paddle shifter works like an air-shifter on drag bikes. Come out of the stop light hot, never let off the throttle through the shifts, go directly to your nearest Hoons Anonymous facility. Otherwise you’ll be trying to race anything from Subaru STI’s to grannies at every light, just because you know you’ll slaughter.

  • Ben

    Who would’ve expected the automatic transmission to seem desirable? As I continue to work on making the 1-2 shift anywhere near as smooth as every other shift I make, I can see the temptation. :P

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Wes Siler

      Well, it gives you the option. You can run in full auto or in full manual. I prefer full manual, but there’s still no clutch, so sitting in traffic for hours doesn’t make your left hand numb. You can shift with your left foot or with bar-mounted buttons.

  • Doug

    Elegantly written, Grant. Nice vignette of riding through Brooklyn. Thanks.

    • http://hellforleathermagazine.com Grant Ray

      Thanks Doug, but Wes wrote that one.

  • june 4 from bushwick

    its a auto motorbike, great bike, wish a can sent u a pic. Viva Flatbush!!!!!!

  • Sharon

    Thank you for most entertaining review of the Mana! As older chick considering this bike (do they still say ‘chick’?) you’ve given me plenty of ammo against gear-head sales people who roll their eyes when I say their bike has to compare favorably to the Mana..

    • s0crates82

      fuck bike salesmen. i’ve only met two that weren’t total douchebags. if you know your shit, that’s all you need.

  • jha

    stuck between this and Kawasaki Versys. I am a purist at heart and feel this is somehow “cheating”. I expect to do a lot of riding in Manhattan with ocassional forays two western CT, Vermont, etc…

  • Ed

    I love the full attention you can give to riding perils when in automatic.