2024 Aprilia Tuono 660

If the sporting style of Aprilia’s RS 660 is a little too serious for your taste but you still want that major dose of middleweight performance with Italian flair, the Tuono 660 just might be your dance partner. Utilizing the same 659cc DOHC 270-degree parallel-twin engine (although very slightly detuned) and aluminum chassis as the RS provides a solid speed and handling foundation, but from there Aprilia engineers instilled numerous minor tweaks to offer a more approachable and balanced ride. The most apparent visual difference (other than the smaller bikini fairing and trimmed-down side fairings) on the Tuono 660 is the one-piece tubular handlebar that puts your arms and torso in a more upright and comfortable riding position.

From there the changes are more subtle. The footpegs are repositioned and have rubber inserts to reduce vibration, the final drive gearing is shorter to improve acceleration from a stop, and the suspension and chassis have undergone slight changes for more predictable street manners. Much of the APRC electronic rider aids from the RS are carried over to the Tuono with the exception that the quickshifter and six-axis IMU are options instead of standard equipment.

All this adds up to a middleweight standard/naked bike that can more than hold its own in one of the more crowded and competitive classes in motorcycling. Whether it’s slicing up canyon roads or handling commuter duty (the APRC’s cruise control is a definite plus!), the Tuono can handle both roles without breaking a sweat. The only caveat is that your wallet will be a bit lighter, with the Aprilia’s starting MSRP of $10,499 coming in significantly higher than most of its competition.

The 2024 Aprilia Tuono 660 is available in Torque Red or Rush Grey livery for $10,499 and Acid Gold motif for $10,699. An upgraded Tuono 660 Factory version is also offered for $11,099 that offers more power (100 hp versus the standard Tuono 660′s 95 hp), fully adjustable 41mm Kayaba fork and Sachs rear shock, lithium-ion battery, one-tooth-smaller countershaft sprocket, single seat cowl, cornering ABS, and red wheels. The six-axis IMU and quickshifter are standard equipment. The Factory is sold in two color schemes, Too Fast (black/red) and Speed White (white/black/red).