When we first saw the Aprilia RS 660, we knew that the parallel-twin platform would be used on a variety of bikes, one of which being a “naked” Tuono 660 model (as well as an ADV-styled Tuareg 660).
While the RS 660 took a little longer than expected to go into production, thanks largely to the coronavirus outbreak, the Italians in Noale have caught back up with things, and today we see the Aprilia Tuono 660 debuting as a 2021 model – ready in dealerships in just a couple months.
Announcing deliveries of the bike for the “end of Q1 2021”, the Aprilia Tuono 660 is a model that we have been eagerly awaiting for this year.
Pricing starts at $10,499 in the USA ($12,795 for our Canadian readers), and you can tack on another $200 if you want it in the “Acid Gold” color scheme (Canadians are looking at $13,095 for this Mountain Dew green livery).
That is a pretty potent price point for the middleweight-twin market, especially when you consider what the Aprilia Tuono 660 brings to the table in terms of electronics.
Like on the RS 660, the 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 has the full APRC suite of rider aids, the highlight of which are the IMU-assisted traction control and wheelie control features.
Cornering ABS, cruise control, TFT dash, LED lights with DRL, engine braking control, and five riding modes (three fo the street, two for the track) are also included as standard.
Outside of the KTM 790 Duke (which is expected to go away for 2021, and be replaced with an 890 version) virtually none of the other naked middleweight twins have any robust electronics.
Taking a look at the machine, Aprilia is making it hard to call the Tuono 660 a true naked version of the RS 660, since there is plenty of fairing to go around (note the air-ducting and hidden winglets in the side fairings), so instead we opt to call it the more affordable street model.
$800 cheaper than the Aprilia RS 660, the Aprilia Tuono 660 comes with a little bit less horsepower (the Italians claim 95hp, which is five less than the RS), with a gearbox with shorter ratios.
A quick visual inspection sees a few places too where some corners were cut in the name of a cheaper road bike.
For instance on the Tuono 660 spec-sheet, the Kayaba suspension is simply labeled as “adjustable” and a quick visual inspection of the front forks shows that these units are a lower spec than what is found on the RS 660 model.
We can also see that Aprilia is continuing to use the lowest spec Brembo OEM brakes on offer, though they worked plenty fine during our time riding with them at the Aprilia RS 660 launch.
By-in-large though, the RS 660 and Tuono 660 share many of the same parts, minus some engine internals, the biggest difference comes in the ergonomics department.
This is where the Tuono 660 really separates itself from its sportier counterpart as the riding position is more upright, thanks to handlebars that sit taller. The fork offset has also been changed in order to accommodate the shift in weight, and to provide better feedback for road conditions.
True to its sporty pedigree, Aprilia says that Tuono 660 is at home on the road and the track, but make no mistake that this machine is intended more for street riders than the track-leaning RS 660 model.
With plenty of power, features, and a killer price tag, Aprilia intends to do some damage with the Tuono 660 models, and judging from the RS 660 debut, we would say that they are right on course for just that.
Source: Aprilia USA
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