Aprilia rolled into 2021 with an all-new addition to its stable of race-capable street-legal machines, the Tuono 660. Billed as a cross between the Tuono V4 and the RS 660, this bike carries a mid-size parallel-twin with all the appropriate ride-control and safety electronics, all under a wind tunnel-tested bodywork style inspired by its larger race-tastic stablemates.

2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 Performance and Capabilities

Aprilia pulled the newly-designed engine out of its RS 660 and plugged it right into the Tuono 660's frame. The factory says this won't be the last model powered by the 660 mill either, so we have that to look forward to.

An 81 mm bore and 63.93 mm stroke is about as oversquare as they come and equally as spicy with a smokin' hot, 13.5-to-1 compression ratio, but that was necessary to get the most output from the engine. What does that look like? The Tuono 660 produces 95 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 49.4 pound-feet of torque at 8,500 rpm.

The liquid-cooled parallel-twin runs four valves per cylinder with a DOHC system that boasts hollow camshafts and minimal valvetrain mass. This reduces the inertia in the system to allow for an 11,500 rpm rev limit.

To reduce the overall engine size, the cylinders and upper crankcase half come from a common casting, but much of the rest of the engine comes straight off the proven Tuono V4 engine. I'm talking about the heads, cylinders, pistons, and combustion chamber shapes to name the most significant.

Offset cylinders and a 270-out firing order make this vertical twin sound more like a V-twin, and it rocks a countershaft to mitigate the engine vibration considerably. Tuono 660 top speed is 138 mph with a 0-60 time of 3.16 seconds.

Dual, 48 mm throttle bodies and a ride-by-wire throttle control manage the induction, but that's just the beginning and the end. In the middle is a bunch of electronic yummygoodness. The factory chucked on traction- and wheelie-control features along with variable electronic engine braking and switchable engine maps to round it out.

All of the above plus ABS fall under the umbrella of the five Riding Modes, three for the track, and two for the streets. The modes mix and match for quick and easy adjustments and bike-personality changes. A slip-and-assist clutch couples engine power to the six-speed transmixxer and provides another layer of rear contact-patch insurance.

Once again, a significant option is available in the six-axis inertial platform that adds a lean-sensitive element to the headlights, ABS, and traction control. You can also pony up for the quick-shift option that'll let you work both up and down the range, all without ever rolling off or touching the clutch lever.

This engine meets Euro-5 emissions standards where applicable. Set it up for reduced power to conform to beginner's license requirements for you folks who live in areas with tiered licensing.

Engine & Drivetrain

Engine:

Aprilia parallel twin, 4 stroke, liquid cooled with radiator and water/oil exchanger, double overhead camshafts (DOHC), 4 valves per cylinder

Bore x Stroke:

81 mm x 63.93 mm

Displacement:

659 cc

Compression ratio:

13.5:1

Max power:

95 hp (70 kW) @ 10,500 rpm

Max torque:

49.4 lb-ft (67.0 Nm) @ 8,500 rpm

Fuel system:

Airbox with head-on intake. 2 48 mm throttle body, ride-by-wire engine management

Starter:

Electrical

Lubrication:

Wet sump

Transmission:

6 speed gearbox

Clutch:

Multi plate wet clutch with slipper system

Final drive:

Chain, drive ratio 17/43


Design

I'd say barely-contained aggression best sums up the overall visage the Tuono 660 presents to the world. Proof that big things can come in small packages, the compact build wastes not an ounce on the superfluous. That pays off at the scale as the Tuono 660 weighs in at a light, 403-pounds soaking wet.

Aprilia bills the Tuono 660 as a naked sportbike. To quote Iñigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) in Princess Bride, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

“Naked” bikes typically don't push a full-frontal fairing with the better part of an engine cowl between the bottom of the upper fairing that shrouds the radiator. They definitely don't carry a chin fairing that acts partially as a vent to draw some of the heat off the exhaust headers, and partially as an aerodynamic component that reduces drag. Conclusion? Sportbike, yes; naked, no.

Fork foot-mount fender uprights come with a foil shape that shunts the incoming wind pressure around the inner fork tubes. The bobbed fender adds as little as possible to the unsprung weight at the front axle. Not only does this reduce the overall weight as well, but it contributes to your overall safety through a sensitive and supple front suspension action that keeps the contact patch intact.

Dual LED headlights ride in the front end with automatic low-beams through an ambient-light sensor, and daytime running lights to keep you visible to traffic to improve safety. If you like those fancy cornering headlights, they don't come stock but you can get them off the optional equipment list post-sale.

One of the most important functions of the forward structure is also one of the least obvious. Air channels between the outboard double walls generate downforce that keeps the front contact patch loaded up, and the faster the better.

Behind the smoked glass is a color TFT screen that bundles the instrumentation with all of the onboard ride-control systems and a double handful of idiot lights to cover all the bases. The system also networks with your smartphone for hands-free calls underway, pull up a navigation map, or pipe in your favorite tunes.

Behind the dramatic four-gallon fuel tank hump, a sculpted-and-tapered saddle accommodates both pilot and pillion. Your (very brave) passenger has subframe-mount, fold-up footpegs, and J.C. handles to complete the points of contact.

If that solo-racer look is more your speed, pick up a single-seat tail fairing from the optional equipment catalog. All of the above passenger stuff plus the mirrors can be quickly and easily removed ahead of race days if you like to race the bike you ride.

Aprilia Tuono 660 Specs

Wheelbase:

53.9 in (1,370 mm)

Length:

77 in (1,995 mm)

Width:

31.7 in (805 mm)

Seat height:

32.3 in (820 mm)

Headstock angle:

24.1°

Trail:

4.1 in (104.7 mm)

Curb weight:

403.4 lbs (183 kg)

Fuel economy (WMTC):

48 mpg (4.90 l/100 km)

Fuel capacity:

4 gals with 1 gal reserve (15 l with 4 l reserve)


Chassis

Both the dual-beam frame and the gull-wing swingarm on the Tuono 660 are cast aluminum in a weight-savings move. Built with agility as a front-burner attribute, the steering head sets a rake angle of 24.1 degrees with 4.12 inches of trail over a 53.9-inch wheelbase to give it quick flicks and lightning reversals.

As is so frequently the case, the engine is a stressed member. This eliminates the bulk, cost, and weight of a large section of the framing, with the headstock and swingarm pivot acting directly on the engine.

A set of usd, 41 mm Kayaba forks float the front end on 4.3 inches of travel with adjustable spring-preload and rebound-damping values. Out back, the monoshock sports the same adjustments with 5.11 inches of travel, all of which should be plenty whether you race the bike or not.

The wheels are cast-alloy in a 17-inch diameter front and rear. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II hoops roll in a 120/70 and 180/55 profile with a “Z” rating that will take whatever you can dish out, up to and including hitting the track.

Dual, four-pot opposed-piston calipers bite 320 mm discs with a radial pump, all from Brembo. Out back, a 220 mm disc and two-piston caliper take care of business. Both ends come with metal-braided hoses to minimize effort loss due to hose expansion. A tunable ABS feature also comes as part of the stock equipment package for protection at both ends.

Chassis & Suspension

Frame:

Aluminum dual beam with removable tail section

Front suspension/ Travel:

Kayaba ø 41 mm usd with top out spring, aluminum radial caliper mounting bracket. Adjustable in rebound and spring preload/ 4.3 in (110 mm)

Rear suspension/ Travel:

Asymmetrical aluminum rear arm. Rear shock absorber with top-out spring.

Adjustable preload and rebound/ 5.1 in (130 mm)

Front brake:

Dual 320 mm discs, Brembo radial calipers with 4  32 mm opposing pistons. Brembo radial pump, metal braided hose

Rear brake:

Single 220 mm disc, Brembo 2 pistons  34 mm. Metal braided hose

Front wheel:

Alloy 3.5”x17”

Rear wheel:

Alloy 5.5”x17”

Front tire:

Radial tubeless 120/70 ZR 17

Rear tire:

Radial tubeless 180/55 ZR 17 (alternative 180/60 ZR17)

ABS:

ABS settable


2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 Price

The 2022 Aprilia Tuono 660 costs $10,499. If this looks like your cup o' tea, you have a choice between Concept Black with red trim or Iridium Grey with red and black. At the top of the range is the Acid Gold over black that fetches two more Benjamins with its $10,699 sticker. If you're looking for a Tuono 660 for sale, they hit dealers last spring.

Pricing & Equipment


Electronic Management

APRC Suite that includes:

-ATC (traction control)

-AWC (wheelie control)

-AEB (engine brake) AEM (engine map)

-ACC (cruise control)

-5 Riding modes (Road & Track, 3 fixed & 2 customizable)

Color:

Concept Black, Iridium Grey, Acid Gold

Price:

$10,499 - $10,699


Competitors

Okay, so Aprilia wants to call its newest Tuono a “naked sportbike,” and that's fine, but I don't necessarily feel compelled to play along. I grabbed a proper naked from Triumph, the Trident 660.

He Said

Like the Tuono 660, the Trumpet is a rather compact package. Perhaps it's even moreso as it bears none of the fairings that the Aprilia pushes, leaving it the more conservative of the two. As a matter of taste, I think the Trident is the sharper and cleaner-looking of the two, but form follows function on bikes like these. I concede that Aprilia's bodywork actually makes it faster.

Both bikes come equipped with LED lighting and digital instrumentation but Triumph slips early in the game with a weaker electronics suite. I mean sure, it comes with riding modes but only two of them, and while the traction control and ABS are nice, Trumpet has no answer for the Aprilia's wheelie control and engine-braking control.

This trend continues into the beating heart itself. The Triumph triple packs 660 cc but only puts out 81 ponies and 47 pounds o' grunt against 95/49 to slip a little more. At this point, it's probably worth mentioning that Triumph's entry really focuses on the street-use end of things, and to that end, it's definitely good for commuter duty.

The wide range of capabilities from A1 up to the closed-circuit depending on the tuning makes the Tuono 660 a bike that actually can act as a one-size-fits-all machine. That'll cover a wide range of sport-rider types.

Triumph gets a minor win at the checkout with an $8,095 sticker. he trade-off is the electronics, power, and race-tastic vibe.

She Said

“This really is a remarkable little machine. The power-to-weight ratio is at the top of the scale, and the electronics come off the top shelf. They can call it what they want, though I maintain that “naked” ain't the first thing that pops into mind when I look at it. That said, this is a very flexible, very new machine that has definite genetic markers from its proven forebears, though I question the wisdom of putting a brand-new rider on one, even a restricted one.”

Further Reading

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, “There's a lot of samey-same here with the RS 660, but don't think it's the same bike overall. It has the same engine, obviously, but also the same frame and subframe, same swingarm, and essentially the same suspension. Styling is a little different and so is the seating position due to the different handlebar.”

“Electronic wizardry that is standard on the RS 660 is optional on the Tuono, but for a couple of bills more, you can add the IMU. Personally, that's a no-brainer for me and something I would definitely add to get that lean-sensitive tricky stuff.”

“Price-point, the Tuono is a really nice bike for the money, and I prefer the Tuono over the RS for comfort. You don't really lose anything performance-wise, but the rider triangle is much more comfortable making it a contender for commuting and even some sport-touring for those weekend get-aways.”

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