Aprilia Tuareg 660 2022 — Specifications

Six years. That's how long Aprilia has been without a trail in its catalog, caught between the discontinuation of the Caponord 1200 and the return of a name that evokes the memories of the 1980s. The Tuareg 660 arrives in 2022 with a clear mission: to reconnect with trails, gravel, and especially with a mid-size category that Yamaha has almost exclusively occupied since the success of the Ténéré 700.

The engine is already familiar. This 660 cm3 parallel-twin first earned its reputation in the RS 660, a lightweight and lively sportbike, before migrating under the tank of the Tuono to satisfy streetfighter enthusiasts. It is now dressed for adventure, with 80 horsepower at 9,250 rpm and 70 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Compared to the RS, the power is reduced, but it is a consistent choice: the twin gains smoothness at low revs, where a trail must progress on gravel without abruptness. Compared to the Ténéré 700 and its 73 horsepower, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 takes the advantage in raw power. Compared to a Guzzi V85 TT, the difference in philosophy is immediate: the Aprilia aims much further than vineyard roads.

This adventurous positioning, the suspension confirms it without ambiguity. Fully adjustable Kayaba at both ends, 43 mm inverted fork, mono-shock with progressive linkage, and especially 240 mm of travel on both axes. That’s more than an Africa Twin, more than an R 1250 GS Adventure, and close to the values previously reserved for KTM 890 Adventure Rally or pure enduros. The seat height logically climbs to 860 mm, which will reserve this trail for average and tall riders. Smaller riders will need to think about it, especially with 204 kg when fully fueled on the scale. The dry weight, 187 kg, remains reasonable for the category, and the 18-liter tank promises correct autonomy, especially since the announced consumption is around 4 liters per 100 km.

Aprilia has opted for a steel tubular trellis frame, with aluminum connecting plates. No perimeter frame like on the RS and Tuono, whose sporty DNA would have clashed with a machine intended to stand up on trails. The 21-inch front wheel, tubeless spoke rims, tires with marked tread, and 240 mm ground clearance complete the picture of a machine that doesn’t pretend. The aluminum engine guard is there, even if its 2 mm thickness calls for a quick replacement for anyone venturing seriously off-road. Aprilia Tuareg 660 accessories should, in fact, constitute an important market for owners who want to go further.

Remaining is the electronics, and there it is Aprilia all the way. Four riding modes, including two fully customizable, a dedicated off-road mode, traction control, engine braking management, rear or integral ABS deactivation, cruise control, a 5-inch color TFT screen: the list would almost make you forget that we are talking about a trail with an adventurous vocation. The quickshifter is not standard, which may be surprising given the brand's habits, but which seems logical: on the trails, you prefer to feel the gearbox than to skip gears like an automatic pilot.

At €11,999, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 price exceeds the Yamaha T7, but the difference in content largely justifies the difference. Whether for an Aprilia Tuareg 660 road test or for an escape off the beaten track, this machine is aimed at riders who want real versatility without compromising on electronic equipment. Not the beginner's trail who still hesitates, but that of the experienced motorcyclist who wants to go far, for a long time, with the safety net of well-calibrated electronics. After forty years of absence and partial resurrections, the Tuareg name finally finds a machine worthy of it.