2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 - First Look

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

Official details on Aprilia's baby Tuono

The obvious choice to follow-up the RS660 in Aprilia’s lineup, the Noale-based factory has now officially released details on the 2021 Tuono 660. Taking a page from the RSV4/Tuono V4 playbook, the smaller siblings share the same relation, as the Tuono 660 is essentially a “stripped down” version of its RS brother, meant first and foremost to be ridden on the street.Everything You

Want To Know About The Aprilia RS660 (Except What It’s Like To Ride)

We use quotes around stripped down because, just like the V4 Tuono, there’s still quite a bit of plastic to be found with the Tuono 660, including the double fairing up front with the hidden winglets. What’s interesting is that, during the RS660 press briefing, Aprilia downplayed the winglet’s downforce effect and played up rider comfort, saying the winglets were primarily to channel hot air from the engine away from the rider. In its press materials, Aprilia still says the winglets move hot air away from the rider, but also “contributes to optimized stability at high speeds.”

Nonetheless, Aprilia is claiming the little Tuono to be the lightest bike in its class, with a claimed curb weight of 403 lbs. Combine that with its 100 hp output and Aprilia is also claiming the best power-to-weight ratio too. Stylistically, the relation between RS660 and Tuono 660 is clear. The triple-beam headlight is distinct, while the accompanying components beneath it are reduced on the Tuono. The LED headlight itself features a daylight sensor that will activate the low beams at night. In the rear, the turn signals will flash in an emergency braking situation. If you go with the optional IMU, the headlights will “bend” and light up the inside of a turn as you lean.2021 Aprilia

RS660 Review – First Ride

Other than looks, the biggest separator between RS and Tuono is the ergonomic triangle. You get a handlebar on the Tuono 660 instead of the clip-ons of the RS660. The handlebar is higher and slightly swept back, while the pegs are a little lower and covered with rubber (unlike the RS). Combined, you have a more relaxed riding position compared to the RS660.

From here, much of the components between the Tuono and RS are the same or very similar. The modular frame featuring spars that are bolted together (instead of welded) gives you the same 24.1º rake as the RS. One difference, however, is the frame features two anchor points to the engine on the Tuono – one less than the RS660 – for a slightly different handling characteristic. As before, the engine is a stressed member of the chassis.

2021 Aprilia RS660 Track Review

The swingarm is still bolted through the engine, and attached to it is a rebound- and spring preload-adjustable shock (no compression adjustment). Up front you have a Kayaba 41mm inverted fork, also adjustable for spring preload and rebound damping. Braking components are the same between RS and Tuono, which means two 320mm discs and radial calipers and master cylinder from Brembo. On the tire front, Pirelli outfits the bike with its Diablo Rosso Corsa II rubber, which compliments the bike’s street-first performance.

The star of the show, the 659cc parallel-Twin is small, compact, and packs a punch. Note the slotted swingarm pivot.

Of course, the highlight of the entire 660 range is the 659cc parallel-Twin engine. Featuring an 81mm bore, 13.5:1 compression ratio, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, and the distinct 270º firing order, it just oozes character as it revs mightily to its 100 hp (at the crank) peak and 11,500 rpm redline. You get 50 lb-ft of torque at 8,500 rpm, with 80% of that available as low as 4,000 rpm.

Just as the RS660, the Tuono 660 comes with the latest APRC suite and features Aprilia Traction Control, Wheelie Control, Cruise Control, Engine Brake control, and different engine map settings (three for street, two for track, just like the RS).

As alluded to earlier, one of the many options available on the Tuono 660 is the six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU). By now we don’t need to explain what it does, but if you get it for the Tuono it then enables Cornering-ABS (with different levels of intervention), as well as the “bending” headlights mentioned at the top of the page. Another feature worth getting, in our opinion, is the optional quickshifter.

Lastly, all of the Tuono 660’s vital information can be seen through the color TFT display, which can show you both Road and Track screens, along with the Aprilia MIA multimedia platform that allows you to connect with your smartphone and use the bike’s screen to control several different functions, including calls, music, and even turn-by-turn navigation. The app also allows the rider to save completed trips and analyze the data directly in the app using geo-referenced telemetry.

The Tuono 660 will come in three colors: Acid Gold, Iridium Grey, and Concept Black. In the US, the Tuono 660 will be available at the end of March, with pricing set at $10,499 for Grey and Black. Opt for Acid Gold and you’ll be set back $10,699.

Aprilia Tuono 660 – Technical Data Sheet

Engine typeAprilia forward-facing parallel twin-cylinder, four stroke, liquid-cooled with radiator and water-oil heat exchanger, DOHC with silent chain on the right side, four valves per cylinder

Bore and stroke

81 x 63.93 mm

Engine capacity

659 cc

Compression ratio

13.5:1

Maximum power at crankshaft

100 HP (70 kW) at 10,500 rpm

Maximum torque at crankshaft

67.0 Nm (6.83 kgm) at 8,500 rpm

Power supply

Airbox with front air vent. 2 Æ48 mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-wire management

Starting

Electrical

Lubrication

Wet sump

Transmission

6-speed. Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) System up and down (available as optional accessory)

Clutch

Multiplate wet clutch with slipper system

Secondary drive

Chain, drive ratio 17/43

Electronic management

APRC suite that includes ATC (traction control), AWC (wheelie control), AEB (engine brake) AEM (engine mapping), ACC (cruise control)

5 riding modes (Road and Track, 3 pre-set and 2 customizable)

Chassis

Aluminum dual beam chassis with removable seat-supporting subframe

Front suspension

Kayaba Æ 41 mm upside down fork with top out spring, Aluminum pins to fasten radial calipers. Rebound and spring preload adjustment on a single stanchion. Wheel travel: 110 mm
Rear suspension

Asymmetrical aluminum swingarm. Single shock and top out spring with rebound and spring pre-load adjustment. Wheel travel: 130 mm
Front brake

Rear brake

ABS

320 mm double disc; Brembo radial calipers with 4 horizontally opposed Æ 32 mm pistons. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose
220 mm diameter disc; Brembo caliper with two Æ 34 mm separate pistons. Master cylinder with separate reservoir and metal braided hose

Multimap ABS (Cornering ABS available as optional accessory)

Wheels

Aluminum alloy Front: 3.5”X17” Rear: 5.5”X17”

TiresRadial tubeless, Front: 120/70 ZR 17 Rear: 180/55 ZR 17 (alternatively 180/60 ZR17)

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 53.9 inches / 1370 mm

Length: 78.5 inches / 1995 mm

Width: 31.6 inches / 805 mm

Saddle height: 32.2 inches / 820 mm

Headstock angle: 24.1°

Trail: 4.1 inches / 104.7 mm

Weight403 lbs curb weight (172 lbs dry weight)

183 kg curb weight (169 kg dry weight)

Emissions compliance

Consumption

Euro 5

4.9 liters/100 km

CO2 emissions

116 g/km

Fuel tank capacity

Color range

3.9 Gallons (including 1 Gallons reserve)

15 Liters (including 4-liter reserve)

Concept Black, Iridium Grey, Acid Gold

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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  • Jonathan Justman Jonathan Justman on Mar 01, 2021

    How much extra is the optional quickshifter and the IMU thingy going to cost on top of the MSRP? Anyone know?

    • See 7 previous
    • TroySiahaan TroySiahaan on Jun 03, 2021

      Congrats! Enjoy the ride!

  • RyYYZ RyYYZ on Mar 02, 2021

    Looks really cool.
    I do have my doubts about the use of a half fairing which is almost entirely below waist level...

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