Aprilia are set to join the middleweight naked market with their iconic Tuono. First unveiled as a concept at last year’s EICMA, the Aprilia Tuono 660 is now expected to be put into production.
Sharing the same DNA as the RS 660 that was also revealed at EICMA, the Tuono 660 is a slightly detuned and naked version of its fully clothed sibling – and it is absolutely stunning!
Performance
Powering the Tuono 660 is an all new parallel twin-cylinder 660cc in-line engine built in-house by Aprilia. The engine is actually derived from the front bank of the 1100cc V4 that you’ll find in the Tuono V4 and RSV4 1100 Factory.
The engine puts out an impressive 95 hp (71 kW), 5 less than the RS 660. No torque figures are available at the moment, however at 95 hp you’d have to think this puts the Tuono 660 somewhere between Triumph’s Street Triple R or Yamaha’s XSR700 and MV Agusta’s Brutale 800, the Street Triple RS, or even KTM’s 890 Duke.
The RS 660 has a claimed dry-weight of just 168 kg (372 lbs), so one would expect the Tuono 660 would be there or thereabouts. Either way, at that power-to-weight ratio you’d expect the Tuono 660 to get up and boogie.
For those on a restricted license, the good news is that the Tuono 660 is also expected to be released in an A2 compliant variant – producing roughly 45 hp (34 kW). This will definitely give Triumph (Street Triple), Yamaha (XSR700, MT-07) and Ducati (Monster) something to worry about.
Ride
Adjustable forks and suspension, and Brembo radial-mount calipers on 320 mm discs absorb the bumps and drop the anchors when required.
Like the frame, the asymmetrical swingarm, which is pivoted directly into the engine, is also made of aluminium. This helps to keep the weight down and results in a light and fast bike with an incredible power-to-weight ratio.
Electronics & Styling
The Aprilia Tuono 660 is equipped with high-end electronics that you’d expect to only see on only the best super bikes.
A six-axis IMU controls the electronics, such as traction control and anti-wheelie control, as well as engine brake control, all of which are fully adjustable. The fuel control is Ride-by-Wire with different riding modes available for road or track. The electronics are rounded off by a two-way electronic transmission, Cornering ABS and a colour TFT, which can communicate with your smartphone via the Aprilia MIA app.
If you need more electronics – you’re doing it wrong.
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