Aprilia India has been on the low in recent times when it came to their big bike portfolio. With hardly any bikes, marketing or presence across the country, they seemed non-existent in this space. That changed recently when Aprilia launched its 2024 range of multi-cylinder engine bikes in the country. Here, we talk about the top highlights of the RS 660 supersport and the Tuono 660 naked bike. For the uninitiated, both the bikes are the same, save for the difference in their riding positions and the absence of a full fairing on the Tuono 660.
Design
Aprilia’s clever strategy of giving the RS 660 and Tuono 660 a scaled down appearance of their bigger capacity counterparts, the RSV4 and the Tuono V4 has worked very well. These two motorcycles look attractive, striking and have that Italian design flair that is expected of them.
The tri-LED headlights, the cuts and creases on the fairing, and the sleek tail section are beautifully executed. Even the dimensions of the bikes are compact, devoid of any excess fat and quite purposeful. There’s very little to fault with the looks of the bikes. That said, the pillion seat on both bikes is small and doesn't seem to be comfortable. Form wins over function in this round.
Engine
The RS 660 and Tuono 660 are both powered by the same 660cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine. In the ‘RS’ the engine is in a higher state of tune, producing 100bhp at 10,500rpm and 67Nm at 8,500rpm. On the other hand, the Tuono’s motor makes 95bhp and 67Nm, both of which peak at the same rpms as the RS 660’s engine.
This engine is known for its characterful and torquey nature, packing a solid punch in the midrange. It sounds good too!
Features
Aprilia has given the bikes a good set of features in keeping with today’s times. The RS 660 gets a longer list of features that includes all-LED lights with cornering lamps, five ride modes, engine maps, engine braking settings, 3-step cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and a quickshifter. There’s cruise control as well.
The Tuono 660 gets a smaller yet significant set of features that includes five ride modes, traction control, cruise control, engine brake and different map settings.
Hardware
Under the bodywork, you’ve got a dual beam aluminium frame, with an adjustable KYB 41mm fork at the front and monoshock at the rear. While the suspension is the same on both bikes, the RS 660 gets an additional 10mm travel on the front fork.
Braking duties are taken care of by 320m discs at the front and 220mm disc at the rear.
Price
Aprilia has priced the 2024 RS 660 at Rs 17.74 lakh while the Tuono 660 costs Rs 17.44 lakh, ex-showroom. The prices are, undoubtedly, very high because they are brought into the country as CBUs or completely built units. That attracts high taxes which Aprilia has to pass down to the customer. The trouble for Aprilia is that these prices put the RS 660 and the Tuono 660 in the midst of more powerful motorcycles like the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Triumph Street Triple RS and even the Ducati Supersport 950. Here is why the Aprilia big bikes are so expensive.
