Aprilia Tuono 660 2023 — Specifications

When Noale unveiled the Tuono 660 concept in late 2019, fans of mid-size displacement motorcycles held their breath. A roadster from the same lineage as the RS 660, sharing blood with the Tuono V4 1100, could not be insignificant. Four years later, the Aprilia Tuono 660 confirms that this lineage was not mere marketing: it is a machine with character in every bolt.

Visually, the motorcycle fully embraces its sporty origins without making it a daily ordeal. The head of the fork recalls that of the RS, the internal winglets channel air under the flanks with aerodynamic efficiency that is no accident, and the triple front optics give the whole thing a determined, almost aggressive look. This is far from the naked and relaxed MT-07 or SV 650 style roadster. It is a dressed streetfighter, with a rear end tailored for photos rather than for the passenger. Those who travel as a duo should look elsewhere.

The 659 cc parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crankshaft is the true centerpiece of this test. Aprilia has slightly regulated power compared to the RS 660, fixing it at 95 hp at 10,500 rpm, but the torque remains the same: 67 Nm at 8,500 rpm. To compensate for this lost horsepower, the transmission has been shortened, which gives the engine lively mid-range response and acceleration. The performance of this engine is remarkable for the displacement: its direct competitors, the Kawasaki Z 650 and the Yamaha MT-07, peak around 70 hp with engines of comparable size. And this 95 hp also allows for an A2 restriction without administrative acrobatics, which opens the Aprilia Tuono 660 A2 to a demanding young license audience.

The price positioning deserves a frank conversation. At 10,599 euros, the Aprilia Tuono 660 price is close to that of the RS 660 and leaves far behind the Triumph Trident 660, the MT-07 or the SV 650. Aprilia is clearly targeting the higher category, but finds itself caught between two segments: too expensive and not powerful enough compared to the 800/900 cm3, it nevertheless competes on almost equal terms with the Triumph Street Triple. In terms of the chassis, at any rate, it has nothing to envy anyone. The bilateral aluminum frame, which uses the engine as a stressed member, is shared with the RS 660. The 41 mm Kayaba front suspension and the adjustable rebound and preload single shock at the rear have been recalibrated for road use. With 183 kg fully fueled and a short wheelbase of 1,370 mm, the machine promises agility at the handlebars that the rider will quickly appreciate.

The Aprilia Tuono 660 electronics specifications are not disappointing either. The standard equipment includes ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, multi-level traction control, anti-wheelie, cruise control, engine braking management and five riding modes, including two dedicated to the track. The color TFT screen completes the ensemble. However, the quickshifter, the IMU for cornering ABS and the adaptive headlights remain in the options column, which is slightly disappointing at this price level. The competition sometimes delivers all of this as standard.

That said, this Italian has an asset that the numbers do not fully explain: its identity. In a mid-size displacement roadster segment where many motorcycles look alike and copy each other, the Aprilia Tuono 660 traces its own line, with a green-gold livery that does not go unnoticed and a temperament that only asks to be expressed from the first few corners. For a rider with an A2 license or a seasoned motorcyclist looking for a second, lightweight and efficient motorcycle, it constitutes a solid and assertive choice.