2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Experience Evaluation

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Evaluation Abstract

  • Don’t be fooled – the Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit and its parallel twin energy plant could appear like a motorbike that’s geared toward youthful, much less skilled riders however get it into the highest half of its rev vary and it’s extra like a 600cc Japanese sportbike that had too many espressos
  • The value tag may appear a bit excessive, however Aprilia have ticked each potential field when it comes to digital devices, suspension choices and it even comes commonplace with very wonderful Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber
  • The upshot is that the Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit is an excellent bike that managed to flip a lot of my expectations on their heads with its ranges of consolation, various skills and real sporting prowess

Regardless of first appearances, reviewing bikes for a dwelling isn’t as cool or as enjoyable because it may appear. Sure, you do get to journey lots of totally different bikes and that’s undoubtedly one of many greatest positives, however for 99% of the time it’s only a very vanilla, very straight-forward course of. Get the bike. Experience the bike. Attempt to write one thing attention-grabbing concerning the bike. Take the bike again. Repeat advert infinitum. As soon as the novelty wears off, it’s important to actually push your self to maintain every evaluate attention-grabbing, authentic and on level. There’s solely so some ways you’ll be able to say {that a} quick bike is quick, that an inexpensive bike is sweet worth and a flexible bike does a bunch of stuff fairly properly. And due to trendy manufacturing and new high quality assurance practices, bikes haven’t been actually dangerous, harmful or poorly constructed for the reason that early 90s. Gone are the times the place you would actually sink your tooth right into a evaluate after a model new bike would refuse to begin, warp a brake disc or begin blowing smoke mid-review. It simply doesn’t occur any extra.

The final bike I reviewed was BMW’s new-ish R 18 cruiser; I actually relished the chance as a result of it’s simply so totally different from the remainder of their mainstream providing. It’s additionally a dangerous transfer for them, too. Dangerous for them, however enjoyable for me. A large engine. Foolish quantities of torque. Wheel base measurements that might make an plane provider blush. It’s approach on the market and as such, it’s a straightforward factor to put in writing about. Then got here the Aprilia Tuono. Make no errors, this can be a nice bike, however with out the V4 engine of it’s larger siblings and a (comparatively) tame 595 cc capability, I used to be anticipating to need to dig fairly deeply into my inspiration bag-of-tricks to make this evaluate an attention-grabbing one. However because the universe does generally, my time on the bike was something however common. In reality, it’s in all probability one I’ll always remember for so long as I stay and it has extra ups-and-downs than a curler coaster on a cruise ship. And that’s no hyperbole. Not even a bit bit.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory
It’s no jaw dropper at first, however boy does it develop on you… Picture through Aprilia

However let’s not rush forward. Having not ridden an Aprilia correctly for a lot of, a few years I used to be actually coming on the process with a clear sheet of paper. The sum complete of my data on their vary of bikes was transient at greatest. They’ve a V4 sportsbike and bare, just a few 600-ish choices they usually’ve simply launched an off-roader referred to as the “Tuareg” – a reputation I assumed VW already owned. Sure, they make some motorcrossers and scooters, however they appear to be restricted to European international locations or thereabouts. For the remainder of us, Aprilia is a smaller, Piaggio-owned producer that may simply get misplaced within the pitch black shadows that the large makers like Harley or Honda throw every day. Hell, from what I perceive they nonetheless make their bikes in Northern Italy. All issues to all riders they’re most undoubtedly not.

However the details are clear. A proudly Italian motorbike producer in just about any kind is often a power to be reckoned with. I in all probability ought to have recognized higher, however as I rocked as much as the Sydney dealership to choose up the bike I used to be already figuring out attention-grabbing solution to method what I assumed could be a good however finally middling bike that was seemingly geared toward newer riders who needed one thing that appeared the a part of an even bigger litre bike however that was cheaper, extra sensible on a day-to-day foundation and that wouldn’t scare them an excessive amount of. In spite of everything, parallel twins of this capability like Yamaha’s MT-07 are large hits with new riders. And in Australia, they also have a restricted, “learner authorized” model that has finished rather well, gross sales clever. So regardless of my greatest intentions, I used to be judging this Aprilia ebook by its very good cowl. Foolish me.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory
At first look it appears to be all black, however the crimson splashes are there should you look exhausting sufficient. Picture through Aprilia

Options of the 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

With a single engine that appears to have been repurposed for its whole midweight vary, the Tuono’s 660 parallel twin may also be discovered within the RS and Tuareg fashions. And whereas the Tuareg mannequin is clearly its personal distinctive factor, on the floor the variations between the Tuono and the RS 660 would look like the ’bars and entrance fairing. Clearly in search of a extra snug, much less track-focused bike, Aprilia have mounted the Tuono bars larger and additional again than the RS, whereas additionally ensuring the Tuono’s entrance fairing is a extra minimal, and extra sensible affair when it comes to directing the wind up and over the rider. The remainder of the bike’s catalogue blurb reveals a really nicely-spec’d bike that appears to justify a price ticket that’s clearly one shelf larger than most of its Japanese rivals. 5 using modes. Brembo callipers and grasp cylinders. A TFT display screen. And the “Manufacturing unit” possibility it’s named after means 5 extra horses over the bottom mannequin. Thus far, so good.

Engine

Referred to as a “compact and light-weight latest-generation engine,” the parallel twin within the Tuono Manufacturing unit 660 is – in accordance with Aprilia – made with the “expertise” gained from their larger V4 learnings. Eager to have us draw a direct connection between it and this “half V4”, it’s a compact unit that leans ahead in its chassis cradle whereas additionally serving as a load-bearing member of the rear suspension crew by holding the swingarm in place. A so-hot-right-now 270˚ crankshaft provides the bike a extra charismatic, extra “v-twin” energy supply and the “Manufacturing unit” title in its identify signifies that it has as further 5 HP on its base mannequin relations. The extra oomph this provides the rider is accentuated through a shorter last drive and a lighter lithium battery which saves the Manufacturing unit bike a full two kilos. Nonetheless torque figures are nonetheless similar to the non-Manufacturing unit fashions.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory
This much less refined colourway is “Too Quick”. My bike was in “Manufacturing unit Darkish”. Picture through Aprilia

Electronics

Calling itself “APRC”, Aprilia’s electronics bits and items package deal brings a pleasant number of security and efficiency options to this Italian festa within the type of a ride-by-wire digital accelerator and six-axis inertial sensors that measure the bike’s actions and tailor energy, engine mapping, the short shifter, wheelie management, cruise management, traction management, engine braking and even how the ABS performs. Little question it additionally permits the bike to characteristic the journey modes that it does. I’d counsel that this spectacular listing (though certainly not distinctive) once more talks to trickle-down tech from the V4 bikes. I’m considerably studying between the traces right here, however with “multimap cornering ABS,” I’m considering that it feels extra like a characteristic that was already obtainable to the Piaggio engineers relatively than a bit of package that the bike completely wanted to compete with its rivals. It’s additionally a clue to a conundrum that I’ll cowl off a bit in a while.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory on a road in Italy
The rider on the bike on this shot provides a superb feeling for its dimension; it’s petite. Picture through Aprilia

Different Options

Aprilia shouts from the rooftops how mild the bike is, and there’s little doubt that they’re clever to take action. At 180-odd kgs (slightly below 400 lbs), it’s no prima ballerina, however it is rather a lot on the lighter aspect of issues. And whereas it’s not all that a lot lighter than the non-Manufacturing unit model, it’s put to greatest use with upgraded Kayaba (KYB) entrance shocks which can be absolutely adjustable for compression, rebound damping and preload, whereas the Sachs rear shock with separate reservoir can be adjustable for compression, rebound damping and preload. Then there’s a TFT display screen, “bending lights” for higher through-corner imaginative and prescient at night time, twin Brembo callipers and grasp cylinders, cruise management and a few craftily-concealed winglets within the bike’s “progressive double fairing” that’s supposed to supply downforce at larger speeds whereas additionally directing scorching air extracted from the engine away from the rider to spare them from any further sweats in summer season. Like me, you’ll actually need to go in search of it although; it’s undoubtedly no Ducati-like appendage which you could relaxation your espresso on on the café.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory on a road in Italy
Bike’s visage is much like the RS 660, but it surely’s smaller and with bar-mounted mirrors. Picture through Aprilia

Specs

The brand new-ish donk is a “latest-generation” forward-facing, four-stroke, 659cc parallel twin-cylinder jobby that’s each liquid-cooled with a radiator and with a water-oil warmth exchanger. Its respiration is dealt with by a chain-driven DOHC, and it has 4 valves per cylinder. Compression is a reasonably excessive 13.5:1 and it manages to provide 100hp (73.5kW) at 10,500rpm and 67 Nm (6.83 kgm) at 8500 rpm. Unofficial prime velocity is round 230 kmh (150 mph). The tank has a 15 ltr (4 gal) capability with an included reserve of 4 ltrs. Absolutely fueled and lubed, the bike weighs in at a really respectable 181 kgs (400 lbs) and the seat top is an average-ish 820 mm (32 in). My bike was shod with very stylish Pirelli DIablo Rosso IV rubber, with a entrance at 120/70 ZR 17 and a rear at 180/55 ZR with the official spec stating {that a} 180/60 ZR17 can be allowable right here.

Preliminary Impressions of the 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

As per my clear sheet of paper method, I rolled as much as the Aprilia vendor in Sydney’s North West to get the bike with treasured little in my head concerning precisely what I used to be using house on. I knew that the model’s Tuono vary was a unadorned sports activities bike design and that it was a 660cc energy plant. Aside from that, I used to be prepared for something. After signing the suitable paperwork that I in all probability ought to have learn however didn’t, I adopted the salesperson as they wheeled the bike off the showroom flooring and onto the footpath exterior the dealership. Preliminary impressions time. It’s undoubtedly a small and lightweight bike that’s clearly a sportsbike in its again half and a bit extra bare in its entrance. The bars are a useless give-away right here as they sit excessive and pleased with the small fairing, properly above the peak of the seat. Bodily, the bike’s dimensions are additionally like 4 fifths of a litre bike. It’s not small, but it surely’s clearly not full dimension both.

A 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory at an Italian racetrack
Take away the tail plastics and the mirrors, and voilà! Picture through Aprilia

Italian Twins

Poking round its personal’s I see that it’s a parallel twin. OK. So what we now have here’s a smallish 660 cc parallel twin? I believe I get it. It’s like a snug sportbike for newer riders, yeah? It’s mild so that they don’t really feel overly intimidated. It’s comfortable to allow them to journey it every day. Verify, examine and examine once more. It’ll in all probability put out round 70 hp and it’ll be an enormous vendor in markets like India and South East Asia. I’ve seen producers do loads of these items earlier than. They realise that not everybody can personal a 175 hp V4 brute, so that they make bikes that look the half with all their racy bits and colors however which can be in precise reality extra about commuting and never trying like a dork on an inexpensive Chinese language wanna-be sportbike bike. Possibly the Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit is one in every of these? At first look it appeared to make sense. Do not forget that I nonetheless haven’t seen the bike’s spec sheet at this level, so in a approach I used to be very a lot clutching at straws. Sure, I in all probability ought to have learn the manufacturing facility data sheet that Aprili despatched to me beforehand, however bear in mind – clear sheet of paper…

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
The smallish TFT show is accompanied by shift lights in a chevron form above it. Picture through Machines That Dream

Extra circling and I begin it up. I see that it has journey modes, a fast shifter and wheelie management. Rattling. That’s a bit presumptuous, isn’t it? In spite of everything, this doesn’t precisely appear like the form of bike that’s going to be flashing its sump at oncoming site visitors. Not from a 660 parallel twin. Banish the thought! It have to be all about bragging rights. I smile to myself and bear in mind the Yamaha R15M I reviewed final 12 months. So cute, with its little fast shifter, USD forks and traction management. In fact, they have been completely pointless, but it surely was a enjoyable bike that was nice to journey. Now the Aprilia isn’t apples and apples with the tiny Yamaha, however I used to be beginning to assume that there may need been similarities. This could be a enjoyable bike. A pleasant bike. However a quick bike? No, this in all probability wasn’t going to be a quick bike. Positively not sluggish, however not quick.

Different fast observations from my notes point out the relatively eccentric v-wing tail part design, the hidden winglets I discovered sandwiched within the bike’s twin pores and skin entrance fairing, the underslung twin exhaust ports and the big, plastic-y set of controls mounted on the bike’s left ‘bar. Boy, they appear actually chunky.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Hey! Who bolted the Eighties cell phone to the Tuono? Picture through Machines That Dream

Roll on, roll off

Driving the bike again house from the dealership on a Monday afternoon in site visitors, none of my hasty preliminary impressions are being challenged. With out the flexibility to push it, I’m simply maintaining with site visitors and attempting to get used to the bike’s fundamentals. The bike’s a cinch to journey and all the pieces’s very properly arrange. It’s all working as a pleasant complete. The motor’s a pleasant one, however I’m not precisely fearing everlasting harm to my shoulder joints if I have been to pin the throttle. In reality, I do pin it at one level for shits and giggles. I’m doing about 80 kmh on an internal metropolis freeway and I roll on the throttle in fifth to see what occurs. As anticipated, the bike will get up and goes, but it surely’s all very well mannered and anticipated. Nice for youthful riders. Nothing too scary or harmful. Extra grist for my psychological assumption mill. One factor is for positive, although. It’s mild as all heck and the suspension setup is certainly on the taught aspect. No, it’s not uncomfortable – particularly not with the bars the place they’re and with this seat, which is certainly extra comfortable that the bike’s sporty appears may counsel – however I’m noticing the highway’s imperfection beneath me.

 a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
After the incident, I pushed it to my native park for the picture shoot. Picture through Machines That Dream

Driving the 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

Driving within the Metropolis

It’s now per week or so later from once I first rode the Tuono and I’ve bought off my fats arse and checked just a few of the stats on the bike. And to say I’m a bit shocked is an understatement. The 2 that actually caught with me was that it supposedly has 100 hp on faucet and that it prices AUD $22,700 or thereabouts. Might this be right? That’s an entire heap greater than I used to be anticipating on each counts. Yamaha’s MT-07 has related specs and it solely prices $14,000. Then the paranoia set in. What had I bought myself into? Am I critically going to need to justify to you lot why you should purchase an Aprilia that’s greater than 50% costlier than the equal Yamaha parallel twin? Oh crap. How the hell will I do this? So I both spin the reality to maintain Aprilia glad or inform it like it’s and threat by no means having the ability to borrow a motorbike from them once more? Don’t panic, Andrew. You haven’t actually given it a superb journey, but. One 30 minute squirt in shitty Sydney site visitors doesn’t a evaluate maketh. So I take a step again and rely the seconds till Sunday morning.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Notice the dual pores and skin fairing and the winglets inside. Picture through Machines That Dream

The day arrives and I’m eager as mustard to get onto the bike. And a bit intimidated. Did I miss one thing right here? I do know a motorbike designed and inbuilt Italy goes to return with a premium price ticket, but when this factor can’t outclass an MT-07 in a convincing trend it’s going to be relegated to one thing that solely die-hard followers of the model and people with sufficient money to make impulse purchases with out evaluating it in opposition to different bikes within the section. And I’m off. Once more, the bike is simply so good about all the pieces. It’s nonetheless as snug and well mannered and pleasant because it was beforehand. But it surely slowly dawns on me that the throttle hasn’t been wherever close to the thrilling higher reaches of the rev vary. In fact, I’m nonetheless trundling by suburbia so I’m not instantly capable of itch this scratch simply but. However as issues get additional aside and the bushes begin to fill the gaps in between, one thing relatively miraculous begins to occur. Low and behold, plainly the Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit has an alter ego that it solely brings out on weekends…

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
A tail tidy is perhaps so as right here… Picture through Machines That Dream

I’d be relieved by this revelation, however I’m simply having an excessive amount of enjoyable to care. Equal components flustered and excited, all I can consider in my head are the trite cliches that moto journos all the time deploy in conditions like these. “Jekyll and Hyde,” they are saying. “A wolf in sheep’s clothes,” they write. Or what a few tasteless quip about “cut up personalities?” However let’s not rush to judgement right here. What precisely is occurring?

In what I can solely describe as a form of Honda VTEC-esque transformation because the bike strikes up by the revs, in some unspecified time in the future between the snug low rev ranges and the bike’s 11,000 rpm redline, it does a form of Clarke Kent “working whereas stripping off the enterprise swimsuit” to grow to be Superman in order that by someplace round eight grand or so, you’re left with this gorgeous blast of velocity. That is accompanied by a soundtrack that appears so out of character for what had beforehand seemed to be a totally smart engine, it’s simple to think about that somebody’s swapped it out for a V4 whereas I used to be sleeping. Can this be proper? Sure, I’m confused. However I’m additionally very relieved. Now this is extra prefer it. Seems the advertising and marketing gumph concerning the engine being a “fusion” with the V4 isn’t all scorching air.

Making an attempt and failing to be like a accountable member of most of the people, I’ve to speak to myself out loud in my helmet to chill issues down. The phrase “No Andrew, overtaking 4 vehicles in a row down a brief straight might be not the very best concept you’ve ever had,” comes instantly to thoughts. Remembering that the curves are arising, I bid my time by making psychological notes about by no means once more leaping to conclusions when reviewing bikes. Doofus.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Headlights “bend” when cornering to light up into the flip. Picture through Machines That Dream

Driving within the Curves

One factor I didn’t get flawed was having the ability to inform simply how properly the bike’s suspension was arrange for corners. And whereas it isn’t of the the kidney-shattering firmness that you could be discover on many a observe bike masquerading as highway machine, I did get a way that it was no cushion-y luxo barge because of a tautness a capability to transmit the highway’s floor to the palms of your palms. Whereas not tiring or too centered, the bike is all the time telling you what’s taking place with the entrance wheel and that mixed with the charismatic vibes of that stunning engine will imply tingling palms should you journey it for quite a lot of hours multi function go. However what with the way in which the bike demolished any set of corners I threw it into, that’s more likely to be one thing that may occur greater than you’d assume. A motorcycle this adept at altering instructions has the tendency to render corners that you simply beforehand discovered difficult as youngster’s play. This naturally results in you taking mentioned corners a lot sooner than you thought was potential and the resultant suggestions loop right here can, if not saved in examine, result in the form of using that makes regulation enforcement officers upset.

So I restrict the foolish stuff to the naked minimal and as a substitute flip my focus to the bike’s using place. If the extra upright and comfy posture of the Tuono leads to any lessening of the bikes cornering skills when in comparison with the RS 660, then I’m having a tough time eking them out. Positive this isn’t a back-to-back check, however proper right here, proper now, the Tuono feels to me prefer it was born to do that. All we’re lacking is a bowl of pasta and a glass of prosecco.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
The torturous Batmobile tail part with the passenger footpegs left me a bit confused. Picture through Machines That Dream

Smiling like a small youngster excessive on sugar, I roll up on the cafe automotive park that marks the midway level on my Royal Nationwide Park check loop. Cappuccino in hand, I stand again and take within the clifftop surroundings. Summer time is within the air in Sydney; you’ll be able to inform by the smoke blanketing the town from the native authorities conducting again burning operations to keep away from extra catastrophic bushfires. However let’s benefit from the stunning climate and nice temps whereas we are able to. A fellow coffee-sipper approaches me for a chat. Nonetheless attempting to get my head across the bike, I simply make small speak and inform him that I’m actually having fun with it. He factors to a V4 Tuono throughout the way in which and smiles. “That’s mine,” he says. “I don’t understand how I nonetheless have my licence,” he says, half joking and half critical. “I’m considering of getting this one for my son when he will get his full licence,” he suggests. I think about a “It’s sooner than you count on,” spiel however I simply smile and inform him that I’m fairly positive he’d get pleasure from using it, too.

Espresso imbibed, I soar again on the Tuono and begin the return journey. Placing my smart hat on, I combine the sheer enjoyment of the bike’s newfound skills with some studious word taking over the extra mundane features that the excited me may need in any other case missed. The cruise management is a bit cryptic to interact and I spend a minute or two fidgeting with it earlier than I handle to get it working and capable of maintain the velocity that I would like. The bike’s quickshifter is properly arrange however not like (say) Yamaha’s system, it will probably’t be coaxed to vary gears if its digital mind has determined it’s not allowed to. In different phrases, in case you are on the throttle but in addition wanting to vary down a gear to arrange for an upcoming nook, the Tuono gained’t have any of it. And regardless of the bike’s mirrors being bolted directed to these very “informative” bars, vibes from each the highway and the engine by no means appear to bother or distort the reflection an excessive amount of.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Notice the crimson winglet sandwich and the riser used to reposition the bars for consolation. Picture through Machines That Dream

Final Bus to Italy

So there I used to be, using alongside on my approach again house. “What a motorbike that is!” I assumed to myself. Like some form of cheeky card trick, it had completely fooled me. “Look over there!” it mentioned whereas pulling the duvet off a pot of gold in the wrong way. However the secret was out now; that is about as removed from a newbie’s bike as you may get with out signing up for the MotoGP. And wow, was I impressed. Like a film that I had been dragged alongside to that had turned out to be among the best you’d ever seen, the Aprilia was certainly talking quietly and carrying a really huge, very stunning stick. What a motorbike.

After which I bought hit by a bus. No, not metaphorically. I actually bought hit by a bus. A giant blue one stuffed with passengers. Like a slapstick comedy routine, right here I’m using alongside and smiling ear-to-ear about having cracked the Tuono’s secret code when out of nowhere, blammo. With twenty tonnes of steel crusing by a give approach on a roundabout, each the bus driver and I see it coming so after we truly collide we aren’t going that quick. Nonetheless, bang goes the bus into the Aprilia’s left aspect and bang, over the Tuono and I am going onto the cement circle within the centre of the roundabout. Subsequent factor I do know, I’m mendacity subsequent to the Aprilia which is now flat on the bottom on its proper aspect. Time goes all bizarre because it tends to do in these conditions, however the bus driver instantly admits fault and a witness comes ahead to inform me that he noticed the entire thing and that sure, it was certainly the bus driver’s fault. Particulars are exchanged and images are taken. Some Karen on the bus begins to berate the motive force, apprehensive that she is perhaps late for her appointment…

The upshot is that the bike remains to be rideable, but it surely’s lacking the left footpeg and the foot brake on the precise has been borked to the purpose the place it’s clearly not going to cease the bike if wanted. So I raise the bike up, begin it, and soar on. Two random guys that I hadn’t beforehand observed watch me from the opposite aspect of the highway to guarantee that I’m OK and that the bike doesn’t hand over the ghost. It doesn’t and I handle to journey it the kilometre or so again to my home with my left leg dangling within the air like a lazy, chubby windsock.

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Look intently and also you’ll see the bent footbrake and the busted grasp cylinder from the crash. Picture through Machines That Dream

The subsequent morning I awake with three ideas in my head. Firstly, I bought hit by a bus and I survived. Fist pump. Discuss bragging rights; is there such a factor as an anti-bucket listing? Secondly, it will make for an amazing story to inform within the evaluate. Sounds silly, I do know. As soon as a author, all the time a author. However thirdly and most significantly I really feel a deep frustration – nearly a disappointment – that I can’t journey the bike once more. Like some whirlwind romance the place the attractive stranger disappears into the early morning mild by no means to be seen once more, there’s simply no approach this bike will likely be mounted and returned to me for an additional journey earlier than my publishing deadline is up. Such is life.

The bike sits in my storage for an additional week whereas I reminisce concerning the wonderful journey we now have and the way I simply get an increasing number of pissed off as to how I can’t journey it once more. Sick-advised ideas of zip tying the footpeg again on and simply not utilizing the rear brake are dashed by widespread sense and the thought that dodging one bullet might be all of the hints I want from the universe that I used to be fortunate to not be extra critically damage. In addition to, how would I clarify to Aprilia that I’d managed to crash one in every of their bikes twice as a result of I rode an already crashed bike a second time?

Detail shot of a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
660 Twin engine is an Italian masterpiece that may do each gentle and wild. Picture through Machines That Dream

What Might Be Higher on the 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

As soon as the penny dropped for me with the Tuono, my earlier apprehensions concerning the bike’s value vanished like Maverick Vinales down a foremost straight. It’s price each penny of the asking value after which some. However I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t point out just a few bits and items that I really feel might in all probability be improved. The primary and most blatant is the TFT show. Not solely is it fairly small for a motorbike at this value level, however the graphics appeared greater than a bit like Home windows ’95. My middle-aged eyes have been left squinting to see the information it was displaying and the white-on-light gray color scheme didn’t make issues any simpler. Aside from that, the bike’s controls felt a bit plastic-y to me and the change cluster on the left-hand ’bars was comically outsized for the bike’s petite proportions.

The one different factor I famous was that the bike’s tail part and it’s relatively peculiar v-shaped torture gadget that almost all undoubtedly will preclude any passengers from sitting on it, but the bike additionally comes with passenger footpegs. In fact, it appeared a bit odd to me. Doing my homework, I then realised that the bike comes with a second passenger seat that may be swapped out for the Batmobile possibility you see right here. Scrub that one, then.

a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Brembo callipers are complemented by matching grasp cylinders on the bars and rear brake. Picture through Machines That Dream

Closing Ideas on the 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

So let’s wipe the blackboard clear and put this pet to mattress. The 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit had me a bit confused at first, however I believe it’s honest to say that it was all on me. After using a military of Japanese bikes on this identical midweight, parallel twin, 600-odd-cc engine capability vary, I used to be approach too fast to pop in into the identical “good motorbike for a more moderen rider” basket with out actually understanding what the bike was all about. And whereas there are specific features of the bike that might swimsuit that position completely, I really feel that it’s in all probability a bit too highly effective, a bit too absolutely featured and a bit too completed for it to essentially swimsuit a rider that’s grown uninterested in their first and even second bike. Present me a “new rider” that wants wheelie management software program and I’ll present you somebody who ought to in all probability examine that their well being care plans are updated. That or they only wouldn’t be using the bike wherever close to its actual candy spot.

a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Bus-proof and exquisite, too. Picture through Machines That Dream

No, it’s not going to maintain up with a litre bike and it gained’t convey a car parking zone stuffed with sunday riders to a standstill as you roll up on it, however for the opposite 99% of the time you’re on it, it’s both going to be spoiling you round city with it’s shocking comforts and Italian aptitude or making you appear like a significantly better rider than you truly are by the twisties, all whereas entertaining you with a soundtrack that’s half operatic masterpiece and half erupting volcano. With 20/20 hindsight, it’s now apparent that Aprilia wouldn’t simply throw their “Manufacturing unit” branding round willy-nilly. In spite of everything, it’s the exact same nomenclature they use on their V4 Tuono and RS. And whereas BMW And Audi might even see match to go slapping their M Sport and RS initials on any two-tonne SUV that strikes, I get the distinct impression that Aprilia is smarter than that.

a 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory in a park at sunset
Simply out of shot are the mother and father with younger sorts questioning why I had a bike within the native park. Picture through Machines That Dream

Like an internal-combustioned dance of the seven veils, the Aprilia sneakily revealed itself as a quick, completely balanced, fantastically succesful, multi-faceted machine that wrong-footed me to the purpose the place I felt like a clueless teenager who’s in some way managed a date with an Italian supermodel with an engineering diploma. It’s additionally the final word panacea to the age-old sportbike conundrum. It’s all-day snug the place a Japanese inline 4 600cc sportbike just isn’t. It’s glad just about all over the place and never simply doing 180 kmh by a racetrack nook on the sides of its tyres.

It’s the bike I want my outdated GSX-R 600 was, and it wraps all these positives in that stunning Italian aptitude that make sure the bike has a soul and isn’t only a chilly, calculating instrument to get the job finished. With that jaw-dropping 660 parallel twin on board, the Aprilia is a stunner and I’m having actual bother considering of one other bike within the class that would come near it. In case you are available in the market for one thing a bit particular and sporty that’s bought just about the proper steadiness between energy, consolation, useability and but will nonetheless make your coronary heart skip a beat, the Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit might be it.

The 2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike

Normal Information

  • Value: $10,699 USD/ $12,995 CAD
  • Key Options:
  • APRC System
  • Brembo Brakes
  • 5 Driving modes
  • Adjustable Suspension
Predominant Specs

  • Engine: 659cc Parallel Twin
  • Energy: 100 HP
  • Torque: 49.4  lb-ft
  • Weight (Moist): 403 lbs (182.8 kg)
  • Seat Peak: 32.3 in (82.04 cm)
Rivals

  • Suzuki GSX-S 750
  • Yamaha MT-07
  • Kawasaki Z650

See Additionally: 2023 Aprilia Mannequin Lineup

Execs

  • The most effective parallel twin engines I’ve ever ridden
  • Gorgeous chassis and unimaginable dealing with
  • An exhaust word to die for
  • An ideal steadiness of energy, dimension and weight
  • Surprisingly adaptable and multi-dimensional

Cons

  • It’s not low cost
  • TFT show is on the small aspect and the graphics look dated
  • ’Bar controls really feel a bit low cost and look outsized on the bike
  • The cruise management might be extra intuitive

2023 Aprilia Tuono 660 Manufacturing unit Bare Sportbike Photograph Gallery



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