Okay, so I’ve been eyeing this Aprilia NA 850 Mana for a while now. I finally took the plunge and got myself one. It’s a 2009 model, but it only had a couple thousand miles on it, so basically, it was almost new.
First off, getting my hands on it was a bit of a journey. I looked around, checked out a few listings, and finally found one that seemed like a good deal. I went and took it for a test ride. This bike has a 76 horsepower engine, and I felt the power as soon as I turned the engine on. It’s a cool bike, I love it.
The engine, man, it’s an 850cc V-twin, and it’s got this automatic transmission thing going on, which I was super curious about. It has this sequential seven-speed or automatic transmission, I put it into automatic mode and wow, this thing was smooth. It really is smooth. You twist the throttle, and it just goes. No clutch to mess with, no gears to shift. It’s like riding a scooter, but with way more power. This thing can supposedly hit 118 mph. I haven’t pushed it that far yet, but it definitely feels like it could get there.
Once I got it home, I started really getting into the details. The fuel tank holds about 16 liters, which is pretty decent. They say it gets about 21 km per liter, so you can get a good 330 km on a full tank. I haven’t done a long trip yet to test that, but around town, it feels about right.
Riding this thing is a blast. It’s got a sport mode where it really gets going. It’s got great acceleration. I mean, this thing just takes off, especially from a stop. At traffic lights, I’m leaving everyone behind. It’s a real kick.
I also started reading up on what other people were saying about the Mana. Some folks were comparing it to the Shiver 750, another Aprilia bike. I haven’t ridden a Shiver, but from what I gather, they’re pretty different beasts. The Mana is all about that automatic transmission, which is a big selling point for me.
The handling is pretty sweet, too. It feels really stable, and the brakes are solid. You feel like you’re in control, even when you’re pushing it a bit.
Now, it’s not perfect. I guess it wasn’t a huge hit when it first came out, which is a shame. It’s a bit of an oddball, being an automatic and all. But I think it’s kind of ahead of its time, you know?
Here are a few things I’ve noted down about it:
- Engine: 850cc V-twin, 76.1 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, 54 ft-lbs of torque at 5,000 rpm.
- Transmission: Automatic CVT with a seven-speed sequential mode.
- Fuel Capacity: 16 liters.
- Mileage: Around 21 km per liter (claimed).
- Top Speed: Supposedly 118 mph.
- Handling: Really good, feels stable and responsive.
- Braking: Solid and reliable.
So, all in all, I’m really digging this Aprilia NA 850 Mana. It’s a unique bike, and it’s a ton of fun to ride. If you’re looking for something a bit different, and you’re not afraid of an automatic, definitely give it a look. You might just fall in love with it like I did.