2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Review

With the arrival of the 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660, along with the recently introduced 2021 Aprilia RS 660 on which it’s based, an important piece of the puzzle has fallen into place for this Italian manufacturer. 

You see, previous to these two new middleweights, Aprilia had a ‘size’ problem. Aprilia fans had a choice of stratospheric, eyeball-flattening performance (RSV4 superbike or Tuono 1100 streetfighter) or, err, a moped (SR Motard 50). Nothing in between. As far as range gaps go, it was Grand Canyon wide. 

Midrange entry 

Now, however, Aprilia pundits have a midrange entry point in the brand's new 660 platform, with both the RS 660 sportsbike and the Tuono 660 streetfighter sharing the same 659cc parallel-twin engine and the same double aluminium beam chassis. 

And the middleweight platform looks set to grow, with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 adventure bike unveiled in August.

This ‘entry point’, however, doesn’t come cheap. At $20,230 ride away, the Aprilia Tuono 660 is certainly far more affordable than its big brother, the Tuono V4, at $28,030 ride away, and it’s $300 less than the RS 660. But it’s priced well above most contenders in the middleweight streetfighter category, as is its LAMS-compliant sibling ($19,830 ride away). 

Interestingly, it appears the pricing gap is appreciably more here in Australia than in some other markets. In the US, for example, the Tuono 660 is only $US1300 (approximately $A1750) more than a Honda CB650R, while here that gap stretches to over $A8000. 

And there’s no shortage of competition, from Yamaha’s MT-07HO ($13,199 ride away), Suzuki’s GSX-S750 ($14,390 ride away) or SV650 ($10,490 ride away), and the aforementioned Honda CB650R ($12,171 ride away), up to Euro competitors like BMW’s F 900 R (from $16,645 ride away), KTM’s 890 Duke ($16,185 ride away), Triumph’s Street Triple RS (from $19,800 ride away), Ducati’s Monster (from $18,200 ride away), and even MV Agusta’s Brutale Rosso 800 (from $24,390 ride away). 

While Aprilia is clearly targeting the premium end of the streetfighter niche with the Tuono 660, all five of those Euro rivals are up another notch in terms of engine capacity and output. 

Still, Aprilia will invariably argue that its Tuono 660 packs in heap of features, quality and performance for your moolah, so let’s dive in and see what’s on offer... 

Naked ambition 

The Aprilia Tuono 660 is based heavily on the Aprilia RS 660. The 659cc parallel-twin is essentially the same, although the streetfighter is down a little (5hp) on power, with peak outputs of 95hp/67Nm versus 100hp/67Nm for the sportsbike. Still, Aprilia boasts the Tuono 660 has best-in-class power for a twin-cylinder streetfighter under 750cc, while pointing out it’s also the lightest too, at 183kg wet. 

The chassis is a carryover, but there are differences between the Tuono 660 and RS 660 that lie beyond the former's high-set tapered handlebar and minimalist bodywork. The streetfighter receives a different fork with single stem adjustment, while the inertial measurement unit (IMU) – a standard feature on the RS 660 – is a factory accessory on the Tuono. 

That’s right, if you want lean-angle-sensitive ABS and traction control on the Tuono 660, you have to shell out a further $1100 (plus fitment) for the IMU. That’s a bit cheeky if you ask me – at this price point I reckon it should be standard, as on the RS 660. 

The bi-directional quickshifter, also standard on the RS 660, is another accessory on the Tuono 660 ($590 plus fitment), as is the Bluetooth module for the companion Aprilia MIA smartphone app, which costs a further $452.45. So while the base price of the Tuono 660 is $300 cheaper than the RS 660, the streetfighter is in fact quite a bit dearer than the sportsbike on a like-for-like basis. 

On the road 

Fiscal issues aside, the Aprilia Tuono 660 is a stunning bit of gear in the metal – especially, I think, in the Acid Gold scheme of our test bike. It’s just beautifully finished in virtually every respect (let down a tad, perhaps, by its fairly agricultural-looking sidestand), and the triple element LED headlights with distinctive LED daytime running lights finish it off a treat. On the subject, the Tuono 660 has a full LED lighting package, with an auto headlight function too. 

With near identical measurements and steering geometry to the RS 660, its 820mm seat height might be a little bit of a stretch for some, but I found the Tuono 660 accommodated my lanky 188cm (6ft 2in) frame quite easily. The high and wide handlebar delivers an easy, slightly forward-inclined stance, and the seat is nicely padded. 

My thighs tuck into the bike’s slim flanks neatly and overall the ergonomics are well sorted – it's a commanding ride position that readies you for action, but with extra comfort over the RS 660 (which, to be fair, is also pretty accommodating for a sportsbike). 

Smart operator 

Key on the ignition (with a physical key – no keyless starting here) and the compact 4.3-inch TFT display goes through a trick little start-up ritual. While the menu system and navigation isn’t the most intuitive we’ve come across, this Tuono 660 is undeniably way ahead of most middleweight streetfighters in terms of clever electronics. 

The Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) suite on the Tuono 660 features five ride modes divided into Road (Commute, Dynamic, Individual) and Track (Challenge, Time Attack). While Commute, Dynamic and Challenge are preset, the Individual and Time Attack modes allow you to tailor settings for engine mapping, engine braking, traction control, wheelie control and ABS. By the way, wheelie control is either on or off – there's no mid setting. 

It’s a pragmatic package that allows pretty much anyone from novice to veteran to find a setting that suits them and the conditions best, while the TFT display, though busy, does an effective job of giving you all the essential info relevant to the task at hand (love the shift lights, by the way, which go nuts as you approach redline!). 

Thrill machine 

I spent a week aboard the Aprilia Tuono 660 both in the city and in the country, and I have to say I loved every minute of it. Around town it’s so light and easy to manage but get it on a flowing country road and it’s an insane amount of fun to cane through the bends. I’d love to get it to a track day – you'd be howling like a loon through every corner... 

All the controls are super light, from the slipper clutch to the precise and responsive throttle to the very effective quickshifter, and the Brembo brakes almost laugh at the task of hauling this lightweight machine down from speed. 

And despite its middleweight status, it has no problem building that speed when you twist your wrist. For a 660 twin, it accelerates hard and is decidedly lively. For me, the Tuono 660 really does capture the spirit of its Tuono V4 big brother, but in a more accessible, less intimidating package. 

Aussie riders often prioritise outright power and torque over everything else. While mega horsepower has its place, there’s a lot to be said for the satisfaction to be gained aboard a light, precise, but lower-output machine. The Aprilia Tuono 660 is just so engaging – it's a real rider’s machine. 

There’s plenty of go throughout most of its available rev range, too, with a fat midrange bleeding into an adrenalin-laced top-end. Redline is indicated at 11,500rpm, while at 100km/h in sixth the engine is pulling around 4200rpm. 

It tips in with the barest brush of the 'bars and the suspension does a neat job keeping the plot taut and tidy. The setup is definitely on the sporty side, but it soaks up our generally crappy road surfaces pretty well too. 

That compact and angular underslung pipe produces a wonderfully gruff note and the vibes, while muted, just add to the experience – this ride has soul and sophistication in even measure. 

Fuel economy? I got 6.0L/100km over the course of the week, which equates with a safe range of just 230km from the 15lt tank. That’s from a mix of riding – you’d hopefully extract a bit more from it droning down the highway. 

Speaking of, the Tuono 660’s compact screen does make a difference on the highway as does the standard inclusion of electronic cruise control, not that this is a long-haul machine by most metrics (that modest fuel range a case in point). 

The verdict 

Aprilia maintains a carefully rarified air of exclusivity around its products and this Tuono 660 is no exception. It is a beautifully crafted model that is as gorgeous to admire as it is engaging to ride, but the broad cross-section of riders to which it could appeal will be narrowed significantly by its heady price tag. 

If money’s no object, you’ll love the Aprilia Tuono 660. If it is, there’s a lot of fun to be had elsewhere in the middleweight streetfighter category for significantly less cash. 

Specs: Aprilia Tuono 660 

ENGINE 
Type: Liquid-cooled, eight-valve, four-stroke, DOHC parallel-twin 
Capacity: 659cc 
Bore x stroke: 81.0mm x 63.9mm 
Compression ratio: 13.5:1 
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection 
Emissions: Euro 5 

PERFORMANCE 
Power: 95hp (70kW) at 10,500rpm 
Torque: 67Nm at 8500rpm 

TRANSMISSION 
Type: Six-speed 
Final drive: Chain 
Clutch: Wet, multiplate, slipper 

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR 
Frame: Double aluminium beam 
Front suspension: Inverted 41mm Kayaba telescopic fork, adjustable for preload and rebound, 110mm travel 
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload and rebound, 130mm travel 
Front brakes: Twin 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial-mount calipers, Cornering ABS 
Rear brake: 220mm disc with Brembo twin-piston caliper, Cornering ABS 
Tyres: Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II; front 120/70ZR17, rear 180/55ZR17 

ELECTRONICS 
Ride-by-wire throttle, engine brake, engine maps, standard ABS, traction control, wheelie control, cruise control, three ride modes/two track modes, Bluetooth (accessory), IMU (accessory) 

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES 
Rake: 24.1 degrees 
Trail: 104.7mm 
Claimed wet weight: 183kg 
Seat height: 820mm 
Wheelbase: 1370mm 
Fuel capacity: 15 litres 

OTHER STUFF 
Price: $20,230 ride away 
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres 
Colours: Acid Gold, Apex Black, Lava Red 
Test bike supplied by: Aprilia Australia