Boasting an incredible parallel-twin powertrain, radical design, and an aggressive price tag, the RS 660 is now available for American enthusiasts.
After teasing it for a while now, Aprilia finally revealed its new 2021 RS 660 to the public in California. It marks Aprilia’s return to the hot mid-size sports motorcycle segment dominated by Ducati, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. However, with its new features and aggressive price tag, the new RS 660 can pose some serious threat.
The most distinguishing feature of the bike is the design, similar to the legendary Aprilia V4 race bikes. First to catch the eye are the winglets, probably there to produce more downforce. Furthermore, the front triple-LED headlights add to the dynamic and modern look.
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Meanwhile, the red front wheels with massive Brembo brakes make it look very striking. Completing the looks are the Apex Black and Lava Red, or the radical-looking Acid Gold color schemes. It may not be for everyone, but Acid Gold actually gives it a slight Cyberpunk feel that I kinda like. It sure stands out from the crowd, though.
The engine is a very impressive piece of tech and perhaps the RS 660’s main selling point. Aprilia’s 660cc twin-parallel motor has its roots in the company’s iconic V4 powertrain. This time, though, the Italian manufacturer worked on reducing weight without compromising performance.
The result is certainly good for the category with 100 hp at 10,000 rpm and 67 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. Even better, 80% of the torque is available at 4,000 rpm, making it a very responsive bike to drive.
Moreover, with its two cylinders placed forward and firing order offset by 270 degrees, it behaves almost like a V-twin. However, an added benefit of this design is the lower center of gravity and better weight distribution. Aprilia reckons the design would help in handling and drivability.
The RS 660 is made from an all-aluminum frame for further weight reduction. Furthermore, riders can now enjoy an enhanced driving position and generous seating space, as well as semi-handlebars and adjustable suspension.
Even though the RS 660 is mostly oriented towards intermediate drivers, those who’d like a little more than the base model can opt for the racing variant. The most extreme version features a loud Akrapovic exhaust, remapped ECU, and Aprilia’s quick-shift gearbox.
Interestingly, although the Aprilia RS 660 features some smart engineering choices, it’s very approachable, especially for young riders.
Due to these choices, Aprilia has gone all out with the RS 660’s pricing, starting at $11,300. For comparison, the Ducati Supersport begins at $13,095, and it only produces ten horses more. Moreover, the 155 hp Ducati Panigale V2 costs $16,495.
It’s Japanese rival, the Kawasaki Ninja 650, costs $7,599, but it’s not even close in performance. The closest competitor in terms of price is the KTM 890 Duke R. The Austrian bike has a bigger engine with six horsepower more but looks half as good.
Clearly, Aprilia has created a bike that’s in a class of its own. As a result, expect the RS 660 to show some good sales figures.
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