Aprilia RS 660 2020 — Specifications

When everyone has put fairings in the archives, Noale releases a road sportbike. This isn't a reckless gamble: it's an industrial conviction, and it deserves attention. The Aprilia RS 660 doesn't seek to colonize the racetrack; it wants to reconcile Sunday riders with the feeling of trajectory, that thrill lost somewhere between the radicalization of superbikes and the rise in prices.

Visually, the RS 660 achieves something that few machines can do: look light even before being touched. 169 kilograms dry on the scale, 183 fully fueled, a seat height of 820 mm that doesn't intimidate, and a silhouette that owes much to the RSV4 without being a copy. The triple optical unit, the luminous arc daytime running lights, the layered fairing that plays with aerodynamic volumes: all this forms a coherent whole, almost too clean to be a production motorcycle. The truth is that the Aprilia RS 660 specification series is almost identical to the 2018 EICMA prototype. Aprilia had simply waited for the public to validate the idea before signing the manufacturing order.

The engine is the centerpiece of the package. This 660 cc parallel-twin isn't a borrowed or recycled unit: it was machined from the V4 of the RSV4 1100, literally cut in half and increased in displacement. The result is a 270-degree twin that imitates the character of a V-twin while remaining compact. One hundred horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 67 Nm at 8,500 rpm on a 183-kilogram machine: the power-to-weight ratio is honest, without being outrageous. For comparison, the MT-07 and its 689 cc peak at 75 horsepower, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 does not exceed 68 hp. The Aprilia RS 660 horsepower clearly positions the machine above the category of friendly roadsters, without touching the territory of the Panigale V2 which begins where reason ends. A detuned version compatible with the A2 license is planned, which considerably expands the spectrum of potential buyers and makes the Aprilia RS 660 A2 a serious option for new license holders.

The onboard electronics come from the MotoGP catalog, without exaggeration. 6-axis inertial platform, traction control, wheelie control, electronically managed engine braking, bidirectional quickshifter, cruise control: the APRC pack is complete. Five engine maps organize the rider's day, three for the road and two for the track, including a Time Attack mode reserved for riders who really know what they're doing. The color TFT screen switches between two displays depending on whether you feel like a city dweller or a track rider. The multimedia platform remains optional, which represents a reasonable choice to contain the Aprilia RS 660 new price at 11,050 euros. This price positions the machine in a zone of commercial comfort: cheaper than a Ducati, more credible than a 650 Japanese in terms of sporty image.

The chassis warrants a few remarks. The aluminum frame uses the engine as a stressed member, a classic solution in the world of superbikes but less common in this segment. The asymmetric aluminum swingarm anchored directly to the crankcases completes the architecture. The rear shock works without a progressive linkage, which Aprilia justifies by mass savings. It's a debatable choice on a motorcycle sold as much as a source of sensations, but the settings are accessible and an Aprilia RS 660 aftermarket exhaust, whether Akrapovic or other, sufficiently modifies the sound behavior for the whole to gain personality. The inverted Kayaba 41 mm fork and the Brembo radial four-piston calipers on 320 mm discs, the cornering ABS: the front end is serious without being demonstrative.

Remains the question of positioning. The low handlebars are mounted above the steering head, a detail that says everything about the intention. This isn't the position of a track bike; it's that of a sportbike that assumes being used on the road. The announced top speed of 240 km/h gives the measure: sufficient for quick rides, not enough to claim the title of missile. The target audience is clear: experienced rider who wants sensations without permanent knee down, or young A2 license holder who is preparing for the future. For those looking for an Aprilia RS 660 used, the market is beginning to expand and prices remain close to new, a sign that owners do not want to part with them. It is often the best indicator of satisfaction.