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Birds of a Feather
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Aprilia Tuono 1000 R and KTM 950 Supermoto
Jeff Buchanan
12/01/2006
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The Quail’s conscientious management had their masseurs create a
treatment that concentrated on parts of the human anatomy that get worked and
strained while riding. The result was an effective and expedient recovery from
the burden of hours in the saddle. From there we hit the sauna and then
transformed ourselves, once again, from road ruffians into a respectable
presentation for another stellar meal with accompanying libation.
 Aprilla Tuono. RIDING STYLE
Helmet: Arai RX-7 Matsudo Cobra
Leathers: MotoGP Apex
2-piece
Gloves: MotoGP RPM
Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa. Photograph by Kevin Wing. (Click image to enlarge)
The next
day we made the 70-mile dash up the coast from Quail Lodge to Half Moon Bay. As
we drew to our destination, I noticed the road signs were conspicuously devoid
of the traditional Swiss cheese perforation by .22s that tend to adorn rural
areas—victims of boredom more than malfeasance. There was none of that on the
outskirts of Half Moon Bay. It is a place that exudes small, coastal town
quaintness.
We made our way down a road that dead ends at the stately
Ritz-Carlton Hotel, perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The exclusive
establishment was buzzing with a wide array of motorcycling aficionados. From
traditional touring folk to well-tattooed Harley riders. Grey-haired gentlemen
puffing on pipes to young sportbike riders cradling loudly painted helmets. They
all shared in the collective excitement permeating the usually sedate hallways
of the Ritz, inspired by the impressive collection of rare motorcycles gracing
the immaculately kept grounds.
 Photograph by Kevin Wing. (Click image to enlarge)
There was something to suit everyone’s taste.
From an impressive collection of pristine Vincents and land speed record
Indians, to ubiquitous Harleys. There were iconic BMWs and beautifully restored
Honda CBs. Sidecars, boardtrackers, rigid flattrackers and vintage motocross
machines. There were new customs and old experiments. There was an abundance of
strange European scooters and, of course, the essential, almost mandatory
presence of beautifully resurrected Italian racers from Gilera, MV Agusta,
Ducati, Moto Guzzi and other legendary marques from the old country. The crowd
strolled past the glorious representations of two-wheel history with
enthralled appreciation. Even the attending celebrities seemed to understand
their presence would play second fiddle to the revered guests of
honor.
The Ritz-Carlton is not alone in its recognition of the accruing historical
and social significance of motorcycles. The Smithsonian National Museum of
American History currently owns four Harley-Davidsons. And, as witnessed with
the continuing success of the Guggenheim’s Art of the Motorcycle, which
smashed attendance records for the museum, motor-cycles have attained a kind of
cultish, hip artistic status in addition to their enduring aura of freedom
and rebellion.
After absorbing the history and magic of the machines in this
appropriately fitting environment, it was time to go. The final test for the two
naked machines was a 450-mile shot down US 101. Freeway speeds. Sixth gear.
Constant rpm. Surprisingly, both machines lapped up the run with relative
comfort (save the expected turbulence inherent with uprights and minimal
fairing). It’s nice to know that, given the situation, either bike can cover a
long-distance stretch.
The Aprilia Tuono 1000 R and the KTM 950 Supermoto
represent how the naked/upright category is expanding. The two machines
represent wildly divergent approaches with one striking similarity; they both
deliver serious performance in a very practical package of rideability, and both
motorcycles exude enough class and style to look quite at home parked in front
of an establishment of the caliber of the Quail Lodge.
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