2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 First Look

Good news today from Aprilia: The much-anticipated 2021 Tuono 660 will arrive in US dealerships this spring. Retailing at $10,499 (or $10,699 for the trippy Acid Gold colorway), it’s $800 less expensive than the RS 660 on which it’s based.

Other than the streetfighter-styled bodywork and handlebar, the Tuono 660 is distinguished from its sportbike stablemate by its shorter final drive gearing—intended to improve acceleration—and different fork offset to adjust geometry for the application. The Kayaba suspension also has different settings than the RS 660.

Aprilia claims the Tuono 660 produces 95 hp—down from the RS’s projected 100 hp—and has a 403-pound curb weight.

Like the RS 660, the Tuono has a 659cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank, a cast-aluminum chassis, and a full suite of electronic rider aids. For an in-depth look at the technology behind the RS 660, check out Kevin Cameron’s rundown here, and see how it all comes together in the real world with our first-ride report.

To judge by initial positive impressions of the RS 660, Aprilia’s middleweight platform offers an attractive, bang-for-the-buck alternative to the Noale factory’s large-displacement headliners. Designed for multiple applications, the 660 platform will also bring Aprilia back into the adventure bike world with the forthcoming Tuareg 660. Sportbike, streetfighter, adventure bike: three bikes, one stone.

The Tuono’s high-end technology package features cruise control and five ride modes with customizable traction control, engine-braking management, wheelie control, and ABS. The up-spec electronics suite is just one hint that Aprilia wants the Tuono 660 to be perceived as a miniature Tuono 1100, not “just another” middleweight naked bike. The middleweight naked category is bursting at the seams with plenty of brilliant and affordable machines like the twin-cylinder Yamaha MT-07 ($7,699) and Kawasaki Z650 ($7,249), the inline-four-powered Honda CB650R ABS ($9,199), and the new three-cylinder Triumph Trident 660 ($7,995).

The Tuono 660 is not in the same category. We’d say its closest competition is likely the Triumph Street Triple R (as differentiated from the tricked-out RS). At $10,800, the Street Triple R is comparable in price, and with 116 hp (claimed), engine performance is fairly close as well. Maybe you could put a KTM 790 Duke in there, but the displacement game starts to lean in favor of the Austrians with that one. Still, anyone else interested in a real-world test (put me in, coach!)?

Compared to the pool (lake? sea?) of similarly sized but more affordable middleweight nakeds, the Tuono will have a far smaller market share, but its use-case is no less broad. We predict its kind ergonomics, room for luggage, and light weight will make it a pretty appealing proposition for commuting, sport riding, and the occasional tour or trackday. Adventure bikes are all the rage as do-it-all motorcycles, but the whole off-road/round-the-world skew can seem like overkill when all you really want is a bit of versatility. Since its introduction in 2002—as a 1,000cc V-twin based on the Aprilia Mille—the Tuono has been a do-it-all motorcycle for pure sportbike lovers. A smaller, more affordable version that doesn’t sacrifice too much technology or charisma sounds pretty great.

The folks at Noale aren’t just capitalizing on the legacy of the Tuono name. Based on what we know of the RS 660, the Tuono 660 should be able to hold its own. In other words: An Italian budget naked it is not. A mini Tuono? Sounds about right. Aprilia can only hope consumers will interpret it in the same light.

The one thing left to do is ride it. Stay tuned.