Ups
- Neutral handling in both freeway and winding road conditions
- Highly approachable and comfortable ergonomics
- Crisp styling
- Superb stopping power, especially at the front
- Trickle-down tech from V4 siblings
- Sexy engine sound
- Linear power delivery and impressive torque across rev range
Downs
- Rear brake is slightly mushy in feel and doesn’t provide as much bite as the front
- TFT dash is difficult to read at speed
- Quickshifter and six-axis IMU doesn’t come standard like it does on the RS 660
Verdict
Aprilia’s new naked middleweight offers outstanding performance, engine character, handling, in a clean and crisp form. In other words, it makes its bigger siblings proud.
Overview
The 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 is a more affordable form of the formidable flagship naked bike, the Tuono V4. Instead, it is powered by the 270-degree crank, 659cc parallel twin seen in the RS 660, another new middleweight from Aprilia. What differentiates this Tuono from the RS is primarily the bodywork (or lack of), upright ergonomics, shorter final drive gearing (for better acceleration characteristics), and different fork offset, as we covered in our First Look. It’s a daily rider, whereas the RS660 is more honed in for sport.
Updates for 2021
No updates, seeing as the Tuono 660 is an all-new middleweight from Aprilia.
Pricing and Variants
The Tuono is available in Concept Black and Iridium Grey for $10,499. Those looking for a pop of Acid Gold colorway are in it for $10,699.
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
In our First Ride Review, Andrew Cherney wrote that the 649cc parallel-twin engine “responded with ultrasmooth linear delivery from the bottom of its range to very close to its 11,500 rpm redline, flattening out near the top; we also sensed a slight flat spot in around 4,000–6,000 rpm. The initial high-speed leg gave us a solid first impression of the bike’s neutral freeway manners, as throttle response was smooth and willing, fueling was drama-free, and the few vibes in the bars and footrests only became noticeable beyond 6,000 rpm, and then mostly in the lower gears.” What was most impressive, Cherney says, was the torque character. It allows “for a much more accessible powerband that’s tame down low, but willing to get rowdy. Rev it out past that, and the engine gets even more responsive, pulling hard all the way to the 8,500 rpm peak at which point it levels off.”
Giving it a turn on the dyno, the Tuono produced 86.95 hp at 10,630 rpm and 44.95 pound-feet at 8,860 rpm at the rear wheel.
Handling
In summary of Cherney’s review, the handling is neutral thanks to the lightweight chassis, and tackles ess-turns with ease. Minimal input is required at the pulled back handlebars for planted tip-ins. The Tuono also portrayed neutral manners on the highway.
Suspension includes a 41mm fork adjustable for preload and rebound damping (adjustment is made on the right fork leg). A linkage-less shock matches the front’s adjustability options and both provided “good damping control and overall stability over everything but the biggest depressions, which could upset the chassis if you hit them at speed,” Cherney writes.
Brakes
With its Brembo braking package the Tuono comes to complete stops without being abrupt or showing signs of fade. The front in particular is characterized by easy actuation and consistency. Comparatively, Cherney reports, the rear has much less feel and bite. ABS is standard.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Aprilia claims the Tuono has a fuel economy of 4.9 liters/100 kilometers (or 48 mpg).
Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility
On the press launch, Cherney commended the ergonomics of the Tuono by writing: “After a full six-hour day we can confirm the Tuono’s upright riding position, relaxed feel, and nicely padded seat added up to a comfortable and extremely rider-friendly cockpit arrangement.”
Seat height is an approachable 32.2 inches and at our test rider’s 5-foot-6 he found he could easily flat-foot it at stops.
Electronics
This is fit for the daily ride with cruise control, ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and five riding modes. Information is also displayed on a premium TFT display which is trickled down from its bigger V4 siblings. A quickshifter and six-axis inertial measurement unit may be standard on the RS 660, but those are each $200 options for the Tuono.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Tuono 660 includes a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Quality
The crisp styling of the Tuono 660 is easily perceived even by photograph, but positive feedback from our initial test ride shows the middleweight Tuono has it all for a great daily ride.
2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Claimed Specifications
| MSRP: | $10,499–$10,649 (Acid Gold) |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 659cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled parallel twin; 4 valves/cyl. |
| Bore x Stroke: | 81.0 x 63.9mm |
| Transmission/Final Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Fuel Delivery: | 2, 48mm throttle bodies, ride-by-wire |
| Clutch: | Wet, multiplate, slipper |
| Engine Management/Ignition: | N/A |
| Frame: | Aluminum dual beam w/ removable tailsection |
| Front Suspension: | 41mm USD fork, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 4.7 in. travel |
| Rear Suspension: | Single shock, spring preload and rebound damping adjustable; 5.1 in. travel |
| Front Brake: | 4-piston radial calipers, dual 320mm discs w/ ABS |
| Rear Brake: | 2-piston calipers, 220m disc w/ ABS |
| Wheels, Front/Rear: | Aluminum alloy, 17 x 3.5 in. / 17 x 5.5 in. |
| Tires, Front/Rear: | Tubeless radials; 120/70-17, 180/55-17 |
| Rake/Trail: | 24.1°/4.1 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 53.9 in. |
| Ground Clearance: | N/A |
| Seat Height: | 32.2 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 3.9 gal. |
| Wet Weight: | 403 lb. |
| Contact: | aprilia.com |
Cycle World Tested Specifications
| Seat Height: | 32.2 in. |
|---|---|
| Wet Weight: | 403 lb. |
| Rear-Wheel Horsepower: | 86.95 hp @ 10,630 rpm |
| Rear-Wheel Torque: | 44.95 lb.-ft. @ 8,860 rpm |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com