Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 — Specifications

Thirty years separate the original RS Extrema from this shattering return. In 1992, the small 125 two-stroke bearing that name was the motorcycle of kids dreaming of the track with three euros in their pocket. Today, Aprilia revives the label on an inline twin of 659 cc and 100 horsepower, and the comparison stops there — perhaps only in the intention to provoke.

The difference between the Aprilia RS 660 and the Aprilia RS 660 Extrema lies in a simple logic: take an already refined base and push it a notch further, without tipping into homologated race bike territory. The checkerboard decoration visually signifies belonging to a special edition, but it is beneath the bodywork that the essential is played out. The front fender and engine guard switch to carbon fiber. The passenger seat cover replaces the passenger seat. The aluminum support stand allows the rear footpegs to be removed. Each part nibbles away at a few grams, and the whole descends to 166 kg dry compared to 169 for the standard version. It's not a revolution, but at this weight level, three kilos are felt in a fast corner.

The real showstopper comes from the SC Project carbon exhaust, repositioned to the right of the rear wheel — where the original was hidden under the engine. This change of location transforms the silhouette as much as it lightens the machine: the system weighs 4.4 kg, two kilos less than the original part. The power gain remains marginal and difficult to quantify precisely, but the sound gains depth, which changes the subjective experience of driving an engine that peaks at 10,500 rpm for its 100 horsepower and 67 Nm at 8,500 rpm. Facing a Kawasaki Z650 or a Honda CBR650R, the RS 660 Extrema clearly plays in a different category of engagement.

The onboard electronics deserve attention. Five riding modes, traction control, anti-wheelie, adjustable engine braking, bidirectional quickshifter, cruise control and cornering ABS compose an arsenal that would make some motorcycles sold twice as expensive ten years ago blush. The Extrema adds the possibility of reversing gear selection, a feature appreciated by track riders who prefer to pull on the pedal to upshift. Two minutes of adjustment and it's done. This kind of detail confirms that Aprilia is targeting here a rider who knows what he's doing, not a driver who is discovering the sportbike.

The chassis retains the aluminum perimeter frame and aluminum swingarm of the RS 660, with 41mm adjustable inverted fork, 130mm stroke mono-shock and Brembo braking in 320mm at the front with radial four-piston calipers. The 820mm seat height is not given to all builds, but the 180 kg full remains a reference in the category. For the Aprilia RS 660 Extrema test, this lightness translates to frank handling, without parasitic effort in changes of support.

Remains the question of price. What is the price of an Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024? The bill climbs to 13,499 euros, a notable difference from the base RS 660. For this budget, the rider receives a motorcycle capable of 240 km/h in top speed, bridable in A2 configuration, and delivered with enough equipment to go directly from road to track without changing much. This is not a motorcycle for beginners — the high seat and the frank power in the revs confirm it. It is a proposition for those seeking a lightweight sportbike, competent on the road and exploitable on the track, without paying the price of a full-throttle Italian supersport.