Aprilia RS 660 2024 — Specifications

When everyone had put their fairings away, Noale decided to come back. The niche of accessible mid-displacement sportbikes had become a desert populated by ghosts, the Honda CBR 600 RR reduced to the track, the Triumph Daytona 675 disappeared, the Kawasaki ZX-6R retired from public circuits. In this cosmic void, the Aprilia RS 660 arrived in 2020 as an answer to a question that no one was asking anymore, and that’s precisely where its strength lies.

What first strikes you is the coherence of the project. At 169 kg dry weight and 183 kg fully fueled, the machine displays a lightness that immediately puts its competitors at a disadvantage. The Yamaha R7 weighs around 188 kg, the Honda CBR 650R exceeds 200 kg. On this single criterion alone, the Italian plays in a different category. Its 659 cc parallel-twin cylinder, phased at 270 degrees to mimic the character of a V-twin, develops 100 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 67 Nm at 8,500 rpm. These figures speak for themselves when compared to the 73 hp of the MT-07 or the 67 hp of the Ninja 650. The Aprilia RS 660 horsepower isn't a marketing promise, it's a solid technical argument for this displacement class. The restricted-power version compatible with the Aprilia RS 660 A2 license also allows access to this playground for recent license holders, significantly expanding the target audience.

The chassis doesn’t disappoint. The perimeter aluminum frame uses the engine as a structural element, a decision that directly contributes to the compactness of the whole. The 41 mm inverted fork, with 120 mm of travel, works in concert with Brembo four-piston calipers clamping 320 mm discs, a configuration that has nothing to envy from much more expensive machines. Cornering ABS monitors lean angle, and the APRC electronic pack includes traction control, wheelie control, bidirectional quickshifter, and five engine maps, including two track-oriented ones. For a motorcycle at €11,599 for a new Aprilia RS 660 price, the level of electronic equipment is frankly difficult to beat. The Panigale V2 offers more raw emotion but its bill is double that of the Italian.

What makes the 2024 version particularly interesting is the maturity gained on the first model years. Early field reports raised some questions about Aprilia RS 660 reliability, particularly around the electronic control unit and some sensors. Aprilia has since refined the whole, and current owners testify to much better solidity. For those considering an Aprilia RS 660 used, the 2022 and 2023 model years remain credible alternatives, provided you check the maintenance history and the condition of the drive chain. The Aprilia RS 660 Akrapovic has become a classic among customizations, as has the Aprilia RS 660 seat cowl, which emphasizes the tapered rear line and reinforces the sporty character of the machine. The possibilities for Aprilia RS 660 deco kits are numerous, the Loris Reggiani replica being among the most sought after by collectors.

The positioning of this motorcycle deserves reflection. The 820 mm seat height destines it to medium to tall builds, not riders seeking the absolute comfort of a roadster. The riding position, with the slightly above-the-fork-tube clip-ons, finds a reasonable balance between engagement and tolerance on long distances. The announced Aprilia RS 660 top speed of 240 km/h will remain anecdotal for most users, who will appreciate the liveliness on winding roads more than the performance at the end of a straight line. It's a rider's motorcycle, not a poser's motorcycle. It is aimed at those who want authentic sensations without sacrificing their daily permissiveness, at the sporty touring rider who capitalizes on their weekend mountain trips as much as the Aprilia RS 660 2024 as a first machine after the A2. By breaking the myth of the punitive and inaccessible sportbike, Noale has achieved something that its Japanese competitors have never really attempted.