Aprilia 850 Mana
Piaggio have been busy developing a new engine over the last 5 years. A V-twin 850cc making 75 horses, it’s a little different from the usual Piaggio offerings.
Along the way, someone had the great idea of sticking one in a DNA and the result was this, the Gilera Ferro concept bike.
Ugly isn’t it. Automatic transmission, similar funky styling, unclear about the helmet bay.
Time went on and finally the bike was rebadged as an Aprilia and is due out this summer. This is the Aprilia NA 850 Mana.
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This bike has a helmet bay like a DNA: 
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And the petrol goes in the arse not like a DNA maybe, but not like a geared motorcycle either.
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The issue has been confused slightly by optional auto/semi-auto gearbox i.e. it has gears but you don’t have to use them.
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As far as I am concerned this is a logical descendant of the Gilera DNA, it’s an auto, helmet goes in the dummy tank, it’s fun, funky and fairly fast. As such I plan to cover it’s progress fully in the blog and on GileraDNA.org as a full and equal member of the Gilera DNA family.
I might even buy one. 
Technorati tags: Aprilia, 850 Mana, Gilera, DNA
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Aprilia has a Mana blog at http://www.apriliamana.com. One big fault I see with the design is the relatively high seat height. The competion is the Honda DN-01 auto-tranny which offers a 28-inch seat height and uses the 700 engine from the Deauville sport-tour mated to a hydrualic auto-tranny. While I am certain the 850-Mana will sell well, they would have done better with the target market to build a cruiser with a low-seat styled after the Bellagio but using the engine/tranny final chain configuration from the 850-Mana.
Comment by Dudel — June 8, 2007 #
Love the concept, hate the style, it’s bland and looks like every naked Japanese bike on the market.
Comment by Blogger — November 7, 2007 #
Great bike. Origins are with Italjet who orriginally designed this superb bike to its present design but failed to survive the falling small scooter drop in sales. Good design lasts forever
Comment by david chapman — December 4, 2007 #
Is the Mana at Uk dealers? Is there a dedicated Mana forum anywhere? I have yet to read a single owner ride review.
Comment by Seattle — December 14, 2007 #
Seattle makes a good point. As I discussed in a previous post, most of the ‘new’ information out there is just a rehash of stuff that was known about a year ago. We will all have to wait patiently for a proper review (by a normal rider) and when in appears I will link to it on this site. Similarly when I see one in the flesh, I’ll post the event on the site.
Meanwhile I will continue to post snippets as they appear.
Comment by lightbiker — December 18, 2007 #
Maxmoto has the Mana in stock. It’s only 1-hour and 45-minutes from London and I bet a test ride would be more fun than a bowl of curry. Besides I’m interested in a ride review from somebody other than a motorcycle journalist.
Comment by Dudel — January 17, 2008 #
I am NOT going to Suffolk to test ride a motorcycle. If a dealer appears in London offering test rides I’ll probably do it and blog what it’s like.
Comment by lightbiker — January 21, 2008 #
Wheelpower in Raynes Park, West London have a demo ready to ride.I am hopefully trying to ge ton it within the next week.The only downside for me is that my insurance will jump from about £120 to £550 if I want to buy the bike.
Comment by paul — February 9, 2008 #
Since 2005 & still waiting to hear what has happened To the (Piggio) Gilera NEXUS 850,that was said to be going into production,i have seen no evidence that it has hit the British Shops as yet,does anyone know if its for sale now or still just a ongoing prototype ?
Comment by Stevie — February 19, 2008 #
Stevie:
The Gilera Nexus 850 prototype has become the Gilera GP800. It is in production and available at your UK dealer. See the videos and ride reviews on YouTube for more information.
Comment by Dudel — February 24, 2008 #
I am going to buy a mana 850 in a couple of week’s i live in USA Pittsburgh i will let you all know how it rides thanks Jim
Comment by Jim weber — July 17, 2008 #
What a ride automatic so nice to ride no shifting who wants to shift anyway pain in the a## Aprilia really did it.
Comment by Jim weber — January 11, 2009 #
Hi, cool site, good writing
Comment by frubsekWheerb — February 10, 2009 #
Very nice site!
Comment by John437 — July 29, 2009 #