Aprilia Tuono 660 2022 — Specifications

When Noale unveiled a concept at the end of 2019 under the name Aprilia Tuono 660, brand enthusiasts immediately understood what was happening. The naked twin of the RS 660 was about to land in an already crowded segment, and Aprilia clearly had no intention of doing things halfway. Three years after this first appearance, the 2022 version confirms that the project was not a publicity stunt.

Visually, it's hard to deny the kinship with the sportbike. The triple headlights give the machine a tense, almost aggressive look that contrasts with the sensible roadsters of the segment. The integrated winglets are not just for show: they channel the airflow with aerodynamics inherited from the larger bikes. The double-spar aluminum frame, which uses the engine as a structural element, is barely visible but structures the entire identity of the machine. At 183 kg when fully fueled, the Aprilia Tuono 660 weighs the same as its faired cousin, which says a lot about the rigor of the design.

The 660 cm³ parallel-twin engine, offset at 270 degrees to mimic the behavior of a V-twin, produces 95 hp at 10,500 rpm and 67 Nm at 8,500 rpm. Aprilia deliberately trimmed five horsepower compared to the RS to deliver a power curve more suited to a roadster application, but the torque remains identical. To compensate for the slight deficit at the top of the rev range, engineers shortened the gearbox ratios, which boosts acceleration with a liveliness that the raw numbers don’t necessarily reveal. For comparison, a MT-07 or a Kawasaki Z 650 of similar displacement barely point above 70 hp: the Italian engine’s output is in another category. This positioning makes the machine bridleable to the 47.5 hp of the A2 license without invasive surgery, which considerably expands the potential audience.

The electronic equipment takes the essentials from the RS 660: ride-by-wire, multi-level traction control, anti-wheelie, cruise control, engine braking management and five riding modes, two of which are dedicated to the track. The central color TFT screen centralizes information in a readable way. However, the quickshifter, the IMU for cornering ABS and the adaptive headlights remain optional. At €10,599, the price of the Aprilia Tuono 660 is just below the RS, which positions the machine well above the SV 650, MT-07 or Trident 660. This price tag implies a clear ambition: not to compete in the entry-level segment, but to rival the Street Triple and other 800 to 900 cm³ roadsters.

It is precisely here that the positioning becomes questionable. Faced with a Triumph Street Triple R or a Yamaha MT-09, the 660 twin suffers from a deficit in torque and displacement that is felt as soon as speed increases. Aprilia then plays the card of the chassis, and this card is solid. The 41 mm Kayaba suspension at the front, adjustable in preload and rebound, has been recalibrated for a less radical use than on the sportbike. The wheelbase of 1,370 mm and the seat at 820 mm define a motorcycle that is accessible without being permissive. The more upright riding position compared to the RS bracelets improves long-distance comfort without betraying agility. On this terrain, Aprilia knows what it's doing. The Aprilia Tuono 660 road test will not surprisingly confirm that the chassis is the real selling point, where the engine, excellent for its displacement, finds its limits against the 800 cm³ of the competition.