Aprilia Tuareg 660 (Acid Gold). (Piaggio Group/)

Adventure motorcycling is settling into two decidedly different camps. One calls for 600-pound behemoths with 4-foot-wide bags on two-lane roads sprinkled with bespoke dirt. The other prefers 400-pound bikes in smaller, funner, and dirtier locales. Like real adventure, some would say. No offense to the giant luggage set.

For adherents of the latter approach, rejoice. The all-new 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 follows earlier forays into adventure-twin territory. Aprilia’s 2006 SXV 550 was a V-twin supermoto (you read correctly), while the ‘06 RXV 450 was supposedly the first V-twin production enduro bike in history. About 15 pounds lighter than a DR-Z400S, it intrigued with midrange power and long-range possibilities.

Collector Alert: Neither the SXV or RXV sold well, with at least one anonymous dealer making jokes about “two-for-one” deals offered to clear inventory. No matter.

But back to 2022, the Tuareg 660 adopts a forward-leaning, parallel-twin configuration based on the successful road-going RS 660 and Tuono 660. Weighing in at 412 pounds dry, the Tuareg weighs almost 100 pounds less than the Honda Africa Twin, more than 30 pounds less (wet) than the V-Strom 650, 20 pounds less than the KTM 890 Adventure, and nearly equals the Yamaha Ténéré 700, its true competitor. A claimed 80 hp and 51.6 pound-feet of torque puts it nicely in the middle of this class of five, about 6 hp above the Ténéré.

Aprilia Tuareg 660 (Martian Red). (Piaggio Group/)

Touring riders will experience this power holding onto a wide, tapered handlebar atop a narrow body volume that’s 33.9 inches tall, an accessible height for most. They’ll ride a 59.1-inch wheelbase with 9.4 inches of suspension travel for both front and back. It all adds up to great mobility in the saddle.

Beyond eyes, ears, and right hands, power and handling are negotiated via the APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) with ride-by-wire rider-aid package. This includes traction control, cruise control, engine-brake, and four customizable riding modes. A 5-inch TFT (that’s thin-film-transistor liquid crystal) display complements the LCD lighting system with DRL.

The fuel tank comes in at 4.8 gallons. Not huge, but enough to stretch time and miles, considering the smaller twin’s thirst, said to be around 42 mpg.

It’s all packaged in one of two color (and price) configurations. MSRP comes in at $11,999 for the Acid Gold and Martian Red package, while the classic Indaco Tagelmust schema comes in at $12,599. The Indaco Tagelmust colors best represent the Taureg’s inspiration—Paris-Dakar-esque and visually similar to the gorgeous 1990 Aprilia Tuareg 600 Wind. Were you thinking of the original Honda Africa Twin? Fun fact: It was a V-twin (look it up).

Aprilia’s reputation for reliability and warranty issues isn’t undeserved, but the strategy is sound and compelling. The power-to-weight ratio means you’re free to get in, and out of, more trouble than with a traditional touring rig. With the Tuareg, you might not have to choose between the four-lane road and the trailhead. It all adds up to an ADV bike that punches above its weight. It could be just the thing to make dirt-based fun last longer and go farther.

Aprilia Tuareg 660 (Indaco Tagelmust). (Piaggio Group/)

2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Technical Specifications And Price

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com