Aprilia has added a third family to its new 660 range with the Tuareg 660 and Tuareg 660 L adventure models arriving in Australia this year.
The unrestricted Tuareg 660 arrives in May/June from $22,230 rideaway while the downtuned L “learner approved” model is coming in July with pricing yet to be confirmed.
Both come in a choice of Acid Gold, Martian Red or Indaco Tagelmust which is indigo (dark blue) and white and red, reflecting Aprila’s 1980s Dakar Rally race bikes. The latter colour scheme adds $300 to the price.
Powered by the 660 twin-cylinder engine from the naked Touno 660 and RS 660 sports bike, the Tuareg 660 outputs the 58.8kW of power at 10,500 revs which is down from the 75kW off the other models.
More importantly, torque is 3Nm higher at 70Nm of torque and the maximum output comes on at 6500rpm which is 2000 revs less.
The L model is restricted for Australian LAMS rules to 35kW and 61Nm.
These mid-sized Touareg models pay homage to the first Aprilia Tuareg ETX 125 in 1985 and the bikes that unsuccessfully contest the famous Dakar Rally in the 1980s.
Both feature a steel frame with the engine stress-mounted and a double aluminium swingarm.
Despite its thin frame, it still thankfully accommodates as generous 18-litre tank that will ensure it can conquer the vast distances of the Aussie outback between servos.
These adventure bikes sit on off-road oriented 2.5 x 21-inch front and 4.5 x 18-inch rear rims shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, 90/90 up front and 150/70 in the rear.
They feature Brembo brakes with 300mm double discs and a 260mm disnlge disc on the back.
They come with an host of electric ic rider aids to help conquer the varied conditions of our country.
The Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronic controls package includes:
- ATC: Aprilia Traction Control, that can be adjusted to 4 levels or disabled;
- ACC: Aprilia Cruise Control;
- AEB: Aprilia Engine Brake to prevent rear-wheel lock up on downshifts, adjustable to 3 levels.
- AEM: Aprilia Engine Map, 3 different mappings for throttle response, but do not change the maximum power delivered.
You can also option up with an AQS: Aprilia Quick Shift electronic gearbox for clutchless shifts up or down the ratios.
There are four Riding Modes that adjust settings for traction control, engine brake, ABS and all the other managed parameters.
Urban and Explore are dedicated to street riding with ABS on, while Off-Road disables ABS on the rear and Individual lets you fully personalise the electronic controls.
You can control everything via controls mounted on the left and right switch blocks with info scrolled through the TFT screen.
The instruments also feature Aralia’s multimedia platform so you connect your smartphone and controls phone calls, sat nav and music.
Aprilia has also developed a range of special accessories such as protection, lighting, comfort seats and luggage systems as well as a line of adventure riding gear.
Tuareg 660 and Tuareg 660 L
| Engine | Aprilia forward-facing twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, dual overhead cam (DOHC) with silent chain drive on the right side, four valve per cylinder. |
| Bore and stroke | 81 x 63.93mm |
| Engine capacity | 659cc |
| Compression | 13.5:1 |
| Power | 58.8kW (35kW L) @ 9250rpm |
| Torque | 70Nm (61Nm L) @ 6500rpm |
| Fuel system | Airbox with front air vent. 2 ∅48mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-wire management |
| Ignition | Electric |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Transmission | Six-speed, Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) System up and down available as accessory |
| Clutch | Multiplate wet clutch with slipper system |
| Secondary drive | Chain, drive ratio 15/42 |
| Electronics | APRC Suite that includes ATC (traction control), AEB (engine brake) AEM (engine maps), ACC (cruise control)
Four riding modes (Urban, Explore, Off-road, Individual) |
| Chassis | Frame in steel tubing and built-in subframe screwed aluminium plates connecting the frame to the engine |
| Front suspension | Fully adjustable∅ 43mm upside-down Kayaba fork with counterspring. Wheel travel: 240mm |
| Rear suspension | Aluminium swingarm. Progressive linkage. Fully adjustable Kayaba monoshock. Wheel travel: 240mm |
| Front brake
Rear brake  ABS |
300mm double disc
Brembo callipers with 4 horizontally opposed ∅ 30/32mm pistons. Axial pump and metal braided brake line |
| 260mm diameter disc; Brembo single piston ∅ 34mm floating calliper. Master cylinder with separate reservoir and metal braided hose
Multimap ABS |
|
| Wheels | spoked with aluminium drop centre Front: 2.15×21-inch, Rear: 4.25×18-inch |
| Tyres | Tubeless, Front: 90/90-21, Rear: 150/70 R 18 |
| Dimensions | Wheelbase: 1525mm
Length: 2220mm Width: 965mm Saddle height: 860mm Headstock angle: 26.7 degrees Trail: 113.3mm |
| Weight | 204kg kerb weight (187kg dry weight) |
| Emissions compliance
Consumption |
Euro 5
4.0 litres/100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 99g/km |
| Fuel tank capacity
Colour range |
18 litres (3-litre reserve)
Indaco Tagelmust, Martian Red, Acid Gold |