If you’ve you’re a fan of Italian motorcycles but are intimidated or have no use for a literbike, the Aprilia brand has pretty off-limits with producing mid-displacement motorcycles – especially ones with that of a sport-bike form. Sure, you have the Mana 850, Shiver 750 and Dosoduro 750; but all these bikes have one thing in common… None of them feature your typical street-bike (crotch rocket) styling and design.
Yamaha has the smaller R6 to their R1, Honda has the CBR 600RR as a smaller option to their 1000RR etc. Aprilia finally hits the market with their agile 600cc class sportbike and have decided to host the official unveiling on the Westcoast of USA at none other than the legendary Laguna Seca race track.
Aprilia has teamed up with Rennie Scaysbrook to be their official demo rider, an Aussie racer who took the Aprilia Tuono V4 on a victory run at the infamous Hillclimb of Pikes Peak.
The brand unveiled a new colour option for the motorcycle at the event in addition to the full-speed race demo to display the capabilities of the motorcycle.
The new RS 660 is a 4100 pound, two-cylinder, 100HP “full-fairing sport bike with semi-handlebar that exploits the dynamic qualities of perfect chassis architecture“, as their official release states.
Currently paired along with their Europian press launch – as of yesterday – those of you in europian markets are welcomed to prebook online and order the new RS 660 from the official Aprilia website.
Aprilia will put out a sub-300cc motorcycle for the Indian market.
This news comes from the mouth of Piaggio India managing director and chairman Diego Graffi. In a recent interview he did with Money Control, he said Aprila wants to get into the 250cc to 300cc segment in India in the next three years.
This is a little different from the things he as said in the past, though not completely. He told the world that Aprilia is working on a 300cc to 400cc motorcycle for the Indian market at the Vespa Racing Sixties launch in India in September.
That was the first major move. Now he says 250cc to 300cc, which is a step down in displacement but makes plenty of sense for the Indian market.
“We are … looking at a higher 250-300cc segment. In the next three years, the Indian market will see a motorcycle under the Aprilia brand. We are taking our time because we want to be coherent with our mission and profile, which is to be different and premium and deliver a performance which is not seen in that segment. All this takes time, but the product will come,” Graffi told Money Control.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I doubt the little bike will make it outside of India, but the more money Aprilia is making in the country, the more money it will have to build higher displacement bikes for global sale.
Aprilia’s Middle-Displacement Sportbike Is Almost Here
The Aprilia RS660 is a hotly anticipated motorcycle for just about any market out there. In Australia, Aprilia has now said when the model will arrive and roughly what it will cost.
The motorcycle will get official pricing a little closer to arrival, but when those numbers do come in, they should be between $18,500 and $19,00 AUS. The motorcycle will arrive on Australian shores in March of 2021, so you have a bit of a wait before you need to round up your cash or your financing. The price listed above will be inclusive of GST and on-road costs.
What’s interesting is the fact that after the RS660 arrives, Aprilia will likely be hard at work coming out with other middleweight machines.
According to Motorcycle News Australia, there will be a Tuareg adventure bike and a Streetfighter both based on the RS660 platform that will come soon after. How soon, though, is still up in the air.
I knew about the Taureg adventure bike the but I’d only heard rumors of the Streetfighter bike. The fact that the publication lists it like its a sure thing, gets me excited. Time will tell how long Aprilia will take to get those bikes ready.
Resting on an all-new technical basis and defined by the brand-new 100-bhp 660cc parallel-twin engine, a new generation of lightweight yet high-performance bikes is born, featuring sophisticated design and cutting edge technology.
After the arrival of the RS660 sportsbike in April 2021, we can expect an off-road Tuareg and Streetfighter versions based on this platform to follow in due course. It is fair to expect that this machine will be pitched into a higher price bracket than most middleweight machines.
The RS 660 offers first-rate technical content, honed from Aprilia’s competition racing experience, made available for street-riding fun. A perfect formula for maximum enjoyment, at a slender wet weight of 183 kilos, featuring a package of APRC electronic rider aids that would be at home even in superior classes.
The main features of the fairings speak typical Aprilia sporting parlance, and are characterized by a triple LED headlight assembly, equipped with perimeter Daytime Running Lights positioned around the two main headlights, making the RS 660 immediately distinguishable in any lighting conditions.
Direction indicators are integrated into the DRL profiles making the front end even more compact. The lighting system is equipped with several features to make riding even safer: thanks to the presence of a twilight sensor, the dipped beams are switched on automatically, while the self-cancelling turn indicators flash in the event of emergency braking. Finally, thanks to the cornering lights function, a pair of additional headlights in the parabolas illuminate the inside of the curve, increasing visibility when taking bends.
The seat-footpeg-handlebar triangulation welcomes riders of all stature, according to Aprilia, offering comfort and spaciousness, with a posture that is neither heavily-loaded onto the handlebars, nor with legs excessively bent due to highly-placed foot-rests.
Aprilia claim that the seat features very comfortable padding and is tapered at the sides to facilitate the resting of the feet on the ground which allows easy manoeuvres from a stationary position. A pillion pad is positioned on the tail while a single-seat tail comes as an optional extra.
The 15-litre capacity petrol tank is designed to enhances the compactness.
In the traditional vein of Aprilia sports models, the RS 660 has also been designed to facilitate the fast, easy removal of any surplus elements when used on the track, such as mirrors, passenger footrests and license plate holders.
The frame and swingarm are both die-cast aluminium, featuring unique characteristics within their class. The chassis dimensions favour agility: thanks to its 1370 mm wheelbase and the 24.1° inclination of the steering head, the RS 660 boasts exceptional handling capabilities, combined with all the precise features and sensations that characterise the front end of classic Noale-produced motorcycles.
The frame is made up of twin lateral beams bolted into the steering head area and, to the rear; the engine is maximized as a load-bearing element and contributes to forming a compact, lightweight yet rigid structure. In order to make the frame even lighter and more essential, the swingarm is pivoted directly into the engine: this is a monobloc element characterized by its considerable length, useful for having optimum traction and asymmetrical arms – a typical technical choice in the history of the Aprilia RS. The particular mounting of the adjustable shock absorber allows for excellent progression even without the insertion of any linkage, thus reducing even more precious weight.
In designing the frame, Aprilia designers paid particular attention to the area of the steering head to ensure the necessary sturdiness for both road and track use, while keeping the turn radius very low to facilitate everyday riding use.
The chassis is completed by an adjustable Kayaba fork with 41 mm upside-down stems and a braking system made up of, a pair of 320 mm diameter steel discs, at the front and a pair of radial mount calipers and a radial master cylinder on the handlebars both manufactured by Brembo.
This is a 660 cc parallel-twin cylinder unit, a highly compact latest-generation engine derived from the 1100 cc front-banked V4, whose line it follows in both concept and measurements and sports a Euro 5 homologation.
This configuration was chosen for its compactness and lightness. An engine with reduced horizontal and lateral dimensions allows great design freedom both for the arrangement of fundamental parts such as the intake and exhaust. As far as the chassis is concerned, the engine also features load-bearing functions, while housing the swingarm to its rear.
The front-leaning configuration affords the rider more comfort, thanks to the greater heat dissipation and leaves the designers plenty of freedom to exploit the space. Furthermore, the engineering lends itself to superior cooling, helped also by the ingenious double-walled fairing system which aims at accelerating the air flows passing through it. With the same objective in mind, long exhaust manifolds were engineered to funnel flows into a single-piece tailpipe with a asymmetrical split outlet, all fully positioned beneath the engine, with the added advantage of superior weight distribution and a lower centre of gravity.
The new Aprilia twin-cylinder is the result of experience gained developing the extremely powerful engine that equips the RSV4 and is therefore based on a background of highly efficient and technical trials: the cylinder head, combustion chambers, ducts, cylinders and pistons all derive from the V4. Likewise, it features an 81 mm bore – as in the 1078 cc V4 – with a 63.9 mm stroke. The decision to take advantage of the V4 technology guarantees top-class performance, while taking into consideration the high piston stroke speeds relative to its displacement size. Naturally, all engine components, including castings and molds, have all been designed and developed from the ground up.
The new engine has the crankcase split horizontally into two pieces with the cylinders integrated into the upper crankcase to reduce overall dimensions to render the structure more robust. The cylinders are offset from the crankshaft to minimize internal friction during piston thrusts.
The hollowed camshafts of the 4-valve-per-cylinder twin-shaft are side chain driven. The mechanically operated oil bath multi disc clutch has a built-in assist and slipper system. Wet sump lubrication involves an oil sump protruding downwards and crafted around the intake port, in order to best gather the lubricant in every type of riding phase, even when the bike is at its maximum inclination or during periods of braking and acceleration.
For a parallel-twin of this displacement, the performance obtained is impressive and comparable to that of a much higher cubic capacity two-cylinder: 100 hp at 10,500 rpm, with an extension capacity that allows the limiter to be moved up to its 11,500 rpm threshold. The maximum 67 Nm torque is offered at 8,500 rpm, with 80% of the torque available from 4,000 rpm, and 90% at 6,250 rpm.
In addition to performance and lightness, another aim of the project was to obtain from the engine the same character and grit typical of V-twin cylinders. To this end, valve timing with connecting rod pins arranged at 270° were chosen. Combustion is thus asymmetrical and offset by 270° to obtain irregular bursts which perform and sound similar to a V-twin. Furthermore, this type of configuration allows, by means of a single countershaft, easy balancing of the alternating forces of first and second order.
The injection system includes a duo of 48 mm-diameter throttle bodies, with intake ducts of varying lengths to optimize delivery at high and medium speeds.
The performance of the new engine is guaranteed by electronics directly loaned from the Aprilia V4, including Ride-by-Wire with multi-mapping, an electronic accelerator, for the subtle management of subtle, yet progressive acceleration, even at low revs and optimal consumption.
The RS 660 is equipped with a six-axis inertial platform which, thanks to the built-in accelerometers and gyroscopes, is able to recognize the condition of the bike with respect to the road; it records and processes inputs deriving from the rider and sends the data to the control unit which intervenes seamlessly in the control parameters.
– ATC: Aprilia Traction Control, adjustable traction control characterized by fine and high-performance intervention logics
– AWC: Aprilia Wheelie Control, adjustable wheelie control system.
– ACC: Aprilia Cruise Control, maintains the set speed without using the throttle control.
– AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift, the electronic gearbox, for high-speed changes without easing off the throttle or without using the clutch, also equipped with a downshift function which allows downshifting without touching the clutch. Thanks to the software offered among the original accessories it is possible to reverse the gearbox for track use without the need to replace components.
– AEB: Aprilia Engine Brake, the adjustable engine brake control system for the deceleration phase.
– AEM: Aprilia Engine Map, various forms of mappings available to change the character and the way engine power is delivered.
The Aprilia RS 660 adopts the advanced multi-map Cornering ABS, to ensure maximum safety on the road, without detracting from its sporting performance. The system, with extremely low weight and dimensions, is able to optimize braking and ABS intervention when cornering, thanks to a special algorithm which constantly monitors various parameters such as lateral acceleration, the pressure exerted on the front brake lever, the angles of lean, pitch and yaw, modulating the action of the brakes for an optimized combination of deceleration and stability.
Aprilia has developed five Riding Modes, not merely to maximize the riding experience in different riding conditions, but also to simplify life on board. Riders are only required to choose which Riding Mode best suits their needs to automatically obtain the best set-up regarding traction control, wheelie control, engine braking, ABS and the other tweakable parameters.
There are three Riding Modes for road use:
Commute, for everyday riding;
Dynamic, for sports riding on the road
Individual, which allows for complete customization of electronic controls.
There are two Riding Modes designed for on-track use:
Challenge, suitable for on-track racing sessions capitalizing on the full potential of the RS 660
Time Attack, a system that allows more adept riders to fully tweak the electronic setup.
Electronic settings are easily managed by a user-friendly four-button control on the left-side electric switch block with quick commands for managing cruise control and traction control.
The full-colour TFT dash boasts exceptional display capabilities for its various parameters. The two selectable Road or Track screens (both with automatic night or day backlighting thanks to the twilight sensor) correspond to the same number of indices represented.
A further option is the Aprilia MIA, Aprilia’s multimedia platform that allows you to connect your smartphone to the bike extending yet more the range of instrumentation functions. The Aprilia MIA system offers a connection protocol that minimizes smartphone battery consumption and includes both the infotainment system for managing voice commands, calls and music via intuitive controls located on the handlebars and the navigation function. It is thus possible – once the destination has been entered into the smartphone – to view the directions directly on the dashboard. The Aprilia MIA app also allows any routes travelled to be recorded and the data, which is gathered by means of the geo-referenced telemetry function, can subsequently be analysed directly in the app.
The Aprilia RS 660 colour range features the funky new Acid Gold, which most suitably reflects the dynamic, young character of the RS 660, enhancing even more the design features of the new Aprilia.
The Aprilia RS 660 is available in two other graphic variations: Lava Red is clearly dominated by colours that hark back to Aprilia’s great sporting heritage. The combination of purple and red is a tribute to the RS 250 in the 1994 Reggiani Replica version, the last true sports bike of the two-stroke engine era, still cherished by motorcyclists and highly sought after by collectors. The second, an Apex Black graphic is characterized by a total black look, which has also long since become part of Aprilia’s sporting history, which help the multiple bright red references to stand out considerably.
Aprilia RS660 Specifications
Aprilia RS660 Specifications
Engine
659 cc four-stroke, parallel-twin, 270-degree
Bore x Stroke
81 x 63.93 mm
Compression Ratio
13.5:1
Claimed Power
100 hp (73.5 kW) at 10,500 rpm
Claimed Torque
67 Nm at 8500 rpm
Induction
2 x 48 mm EFI throttle bodies. RbW
Gears
Six, AQS Aprilia Quick Shift
Clutch
Wet, multi-plate, slipper
Frame
Aluminium dual beam chassis with removable seat support subframe
Forks
Kayaba 41-mm forks, aluminium radial calliper mounting bracket. Adjustable spring preload and rebound damping. 120 mm wheel travel.
Shock
Aluminium asymmetric swingarm. Adjustable monoshock in spring reload, rebound. 130 mm wheel travel.
Tyres
120/70-17 (F), 180/55-17 (R)
Front Brakes
Front ABS: double disc, diameter 320 mm, Brembo radial callipers with four Ø32-mm opposing pistons. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose.
Rear Brake
Ø220-mm disc; Brembo calliper with two Ø34-mm separate pistons. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose
The Aprilia RS660 is a sportbike that a lot of people are excited about, and it’s not even out yet. It’s coming and should be here soon, but Aprilia isn’t just sitting around. The company will have a Trofeo version soon.
Moto2 rider Tommaso Marcon recently posted an image to his Instagram that showed an Aprilia RS660 Trofeo at the racetrack. In his post, he said simply: “COMING SOON.. 🤩🚀”
That will be a seriously cool motorcycle when it comes out. Other than the simple post to his Instagram, Marcon didn’t disclose any other details about the bike.
As Motociclismo reported, there simply aren’t any other details about the bike at this time. However, you can see that there’s a SC-Project racing exhaust on the bike. Otherwise, the updates are a bit of a mystery. Things should become clearer in the future, though.
Aprilia has a new adventure motorcycle in the works and it’s called the Tuareg, which is a name from the company’s history. The model hasn’t been officially announced yet, but the company is developing it. The bike was recently spotted testing.
According to Motoblog.it, a person recently spotted the bike out testing and was able to snag a photo of the bike. It is shown above. You can also check out the image below and what Motoblog.it has to say about it.
➡️ Era rimasta nascosta dietro il fogliame della teca📷 Adesso è venuta allo scoperto: #Aprilia #Tuareg 660👇 L’endurona di Noale è tornata: ecco le prime foto
You can’t really see much from the images, but the bike will have the 660cc twin-cylinder engine that’s in the new RS660. It will of course be tuned differently for adventure touring purposes. I’d assume power will be a little lower and the way that power comes on should be far different.
The new bike will have the Tenere 700 in its sights. The chassis will need to be quite good, and the bike fully capable of some impressive off-roading feats to compete fully.
It will be interesting to see what Aprilia is able to do with this bike. The RS660 isn’t even available yet, and the company is already making the most of its engine and platform.
After the success achieved by Aprilia RSV4 X, the special version of the supersport bike from Noale, Aprilia has now given the X factor to the Tuono V4.
The Aprilia Tuono V4 X is touted as an exclusive “super Tuono” produced in a numbered and limited edition, developed and assembled directly by Aprilia Racing.
Aprilia claim this excluse new Tuono V4 X is capable of lapping Imola in 1m50s with Aprilia rider Lorenzo Savadori, only a couple of seconds away from World Superbike pace around the Italian circuit.
Aleix Espargaró also put it through its paces on the Austrian Red Bull Ring circuit: “The Tuono V4 X is out of this world. I had never tested a high-handlebar bike on the track and I was surprised at the feeling of stability. The engine is insane, but the chassis architecture doesn’t struggle – to the contrary: the riding position and the electronics make it extremely fun. You can ride it cleanly, but you can also drift with it if you want to. It is a pure sportbike with a hooligan side!”
The experience that the Racing Department from Noale has in the top championships contributed to the development of the Aprilia Tuono V4 X with large aero wings in carbon added to the Tuono, clearly derived from the one fitted on the Aprilia RS-GP used in MotoGP. This choice contributes to increasing stability at high speeds and in the critical phases of braking and acceleration.
The goal of making this special Tuono a true high-handlebar racing bike exclusively for track use was achieved in full, thanks to a skilled job of general lightening, which reached the exceptional landmark of 166 kg dry weight on the scales.
All the fairings are in carbon, enhanced by the dedicated “Bol d’Or” graphic, inspired by the Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory which participated in the 2006 edition of the legendary French endurance race. The fuel tank is the same shape as the original, but it is lighter, while the factory electrical system has been simplified.
Another obviously sports-derived element is the racing panel via which to adjust the main electronic controls of the Tuono V4 X. There are numerous billet aluminium parts that contribute to lowering the weight, such as the clutch lever, the brake lever guard, the engine crankcase guards, the adjustable footpegs and the fuel cap. The Marchesini wheel rims in forged magnesium, shod with racing slicks, provide the added value of handling that is out of reach even for fairing-covered supersport bikes.
The engine is derived from the unit that successfully equips the RSV4 1100 Factory. The Akrapovic exhaust system features titanium collectors and a carbon outlet, while the air filter is a Sprint Filter element, the same unit that Aprilia Racing uses in MotoGP.
Electronic fine-tuning is via a revamped ECU in terms of logic and functions, featuring engine control and vehicle dynamics maps developed by Aprilia Racing. The engine maps are all “full power” and optimised for the racing exhaust system. The engine brake, traction control and anti-wheelie levels are specifically designed for use on the track. It comes standard with two-way quick-shift and the colour TFT instrument cluster reprogrammed with lap time display using the built-in GPS sensor.
The maximum power of the V4 from Noale increases from the 217 HP of the factory unit to the value of 221 HP measured at the crank. Performance that can be fully exploited thanks to a race derived chassis with advanced semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension system.
The Brembo braking system is also entirely racing, thanks to the use of refined and extremely effective GP4-MS billet aluminium calipers that grip a pair of steel discs with T-Drive technology and are controlled by a 19×16 radial master cylinder, also made in billet aluminium.
Each Aprilia Tuono V4 X unit, available at a price of €34,900 ($56,600 AUD), can already be reserved exclusively online by going to the Aprilia website. Buyers will be able to pick up their unit directly from Aprilia Racing, simultaneously with an exclusive tour of the racing department in Noale, and they will receive a dedicated KYT NX-Race helmet with a graphic inspired by the bike’s graphics.
Tuono V4 X is part of the Factory Works program launched by Aprilia Racing: it takes technology developed in competitive racing and makes it available to those planning to compete at high level in factory derivative championships or to those who want an RSV4 or a Tuono V4 with performance optimised for track use. That means, of course, that the Tuono V4 X will not be able to be used on public roads, legally.
Aprilia Australia has issued a safety recall notice for a brake issue on 2017-2020 RSV4 and Tuono 1100 motorcycles.
The official safety recall notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the front brake pad friction material “could potentially separate from the back plate, resulting in reduced braking performance”.
“Reduced brake performance may result in a dangerous fall or collision, causing serious injury or death to the rider or other road users,” the notice says.
Owners should contact their authorised Aprilia dealer to book a brake pad inspection and, if potentially faulty brake pads are found, they will be replaced free of charge.
For more information, owners should contact their nearest authorised Aprilia dealer or email [email protected]
Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) of the 451 affected bikes are listed at the end of this article.
Even though manufacturers and importers contact owners when a safety recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle recalls as a service to all riders.
In Australia, recall notices are issued by the manufacturer and the Department of Infrastructure through a voluntary industry code under the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
While any recall is not good news for the manufacturer, it shows that they are largely diligent in fixing problems.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
While it has not committed to the entire amount of the loan, it is committed to draw at least $US150m (about $A215m).
The company believes the loan is consistent with its intentions regarding liquidity.
Piaggio Group loans
Now the Italian Piaggio Group which produces Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Vespa has secured a loan for €60 million (about $A97m, $US67m).
That’s 20% more than their annual net income.
The money will be put towards restarting after the COVID lockdown, as well as research and development.
Piaggio says they will focus their R&D efforts on reducing fuel consumption and emissions and increasing the number of new models.
Comment on loans
The world seems to be going into debt over the pandemic crisis and motorcycle companies are not immune.
It’s good news when they direct loans into R&D.
However, it’s a concern when businesses go into debt to help them survive a crisis.
In the wake of the COVID lockdown, many motorcycle companies are now reporting a huge bounce in sales in June.
In fact, the KTM Group, which includes Husqvarna and Gas Gas, has reports its biggest June in history.
KTM Group Australia/New Zealand MD Brad Hagi says there is “still a long way to go before this crisis is over”.
“This recent sales spike has not only seen existing and former riders return to riding, it has also seen new riders enter our sport, to experience the unique freedom it offers, and that is a real positive for the industry long term,” he says.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has reported that the dive in car sales has now slowed thanks to the easing of restrictions.
FCAI chief executive Tony Weber attributes the slight recovery to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, end-of-financial-year sales and government incentives.
In fact, some dealers tell us buyers have been accessing their superannuation to buy their dream bike!
Similar incentives exist in other countries around the world which are reporting similar strong sales results.
Aleix Espargaró with Aprilia MotoGP for 2021 and 2022 seasons
Astride the RS-GP since the 2017 season, Aleix Espargaró has weathered various phases of the Aprilia MotoGP project, from the great and promising growth in the first season to the difficulties of 2018, all the way to the technical revolution of 2019 which led to the birth of the new 2020 RS-GP.
The latest prototype showed significant and promising signs of competitiveness in the winter tests, before the 2020 season was disrupted, so much that they contributed to Aleix’s decision.
Aleix Espargaró
“I am happy about this confirmation. The human aspect is extremely important for me, and in four seasons, Aprilia has become my second family, so with this contract, which is certainly the most important of my career, they demonstrated that I am at the centre of this project. On a technical level, the growth in recent months convinced me, with the arrival of many reinforcements and the début of the 2020 RS-GP, which did so well in the tests. I feel like we need to finish the job we started over the winter. I can’t wait to get back together with my entire team and race with the new bike, to take this project where it deserves to be.”
Aleix Espargaró
Passionate, always committed on the track and a motivator in the garage, this will bring Aleix to his sixth season in a row astride the Italian bike. This is a sign of continuity and trust that comes at this turning point in Aprilia’s technical project.
Massimo Rivola – CEO Aprilia Racing
“We wanted Aleix’s confirmation by all means and we are very happy that it arrived. At a rather tumultuous time for the rider market, providing continuity for our project with a rider the calibre of Aleix is essential. With him, who we have established as our captain, we have begun an entirely new project, involving new resources and taking a bike that seems to have come out very well onto the track. Now we hope that he will soon take an Aprilia to the top, where it has never been in MotoGP history.”
Aleix Espargaro is in love with the new RS-GP Source: MCNews.com.au
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