2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 Review | MC Commute
- 5 months ago
There’s something that makes the middleweight naked category so enticing. Here, manufacturers combine technical know-how and performance of open-class machines with the approachability and user friendliness of smaller-displacement bikes. A prime example? It’s hard to argue the all-new 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. This middleweight is an exciting new offering from the Italian manufacturer that eases the barrier of entry into the premium brand while still offering a heck of a riding experience.
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The Tuono 660 has been dubbed a direct descendant of the popular 1100 V4. A bold designation by Aprilia, and not to mention, just the badging alone leaves serious shoes to fill. It follows in the footsteps of Aprilia’s other recent introduction, the RS 660 middleweight supersport, sharing an identical engine platform but receiving a number of tweaks aimed at optimizing its performance and personality.
Like the RS 660, the Tuono is powered by a 659cc DOHC parallel-twin engine that’s been derived from Aprilia’s legendary V-4 powerplant. Engineers chopped the rearward cylinders, increased the stroke measurement of the remaining cylinders, and tuned the mill to suit its intended application. Ran on our in-house Dynojet 250i dyno, this middleweight cranked out 87.0 hp at 10,600 rpm and 45.0 pound-feet of torque at 8,900 rpm.
There’s a strong rear-wheel connection via the Tuono 660′s throttle-by-wire system that translates to addicting and confidence-inspiring acceleration. Power is plentiful and approachable at nearly any rpm, but the combination of exhaust note and intake growl combined with impressive delivery around 8,000 rpm is remarkable and reminiscent of the V4 as it lifts the front tire skyward. It truly offers a taste of the almighty 1100 in a half-sized platform with less risk and more approachability. In fact, the Tuono is a delightfully smooth and comfortable ride at normal speeds, and only a hooligan when coaxed...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-tuono-660-mc-commute-review/
Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/
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The Tuono 660 has been dubbed a direct descendant of the popular 1100 V4. A bold designation by Aprilia, and not to mention, just the badging alone leaves serious shoes to fill. It follows in the footsteps of Aprilia’s other recent introduction, the RS 660 middleweight supersport, sharing an identical engine platform but receiving a number of tweaks aimed at optimizing its performance and personality.
Like the RS 660, the Tuono is powered by a 659cc DOHC parallel-twin engine that’s been derived from Aprilia’s legendary V-4 powerplant. Engineers chopped the rearward cylinders, increased the stroke measurement of the remaining cylinders, and tuned the mill to suit its intended application. Ran on our in-house Dynojet 250i dyno, this middleweight cranked out 87.0 hp at 10,600 rpm and 45.0 pound-feet of torque at 8,900 rpm.
There’s a strong rear-wheel connection via the Tuono 660′s throttle-by-wire system that translates to addicting and confidence-inspiring acceleration. Power is plentiful and approachable at nearly any rpm, but the combination of exhaust note and intake growl combined with impressive delivery around 8,000 rpm is remarkable and reminiscent of the V4 as it lifts the front tire skyward. It truly offers a taste of the almighty 1100 in a half-sized platform with less risk and more approachability. In fact, the Tuono is a delightfully smooth and comfortable ride at normal speeds, and only a hooligan when coaxed...
Find out more: https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/story/reviews/2021-aprilia-tuono-660-mc-commute-review/
Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen
Motorcyclist Shirts: https://teespring.com/stores/motorcyclist
Shop Products We Use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/motorcyclistmagazine
See more from us: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/