APRILIA TUAREG 660 (2022 - on) Review
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rob
Aprilia 660 Tuareg
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rob
Don in Lodi
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Purty.
Looks great if somebody were int he market for a T700 and able to spend more. They are taking pre-orders for delivery in the US.
www.aprilia.com
Tuareg 660
www.aprilia.com
tntmo
Well-Known Member
Aprilia makes nice bikes, but they cut off parts for older model bikes pretty quick and even getting parts for new bikes can take more time than the "usual" brands do.
Took the Tuareg for a test ride yesterday.
I wanted to compare it with the T7 which I've ridden a few times.
On paper the Tuareg beats the T7.
Price wise the Tuareg is only a bit more expensive than the standard T7 and significantly cheaper than the World Raid edition.
Initial impression when I landed at the Aprilla dealer and parked the T12 next to the Tuareg was that it appeared very slim with nice fit and finish.
As I got on the Tuareg and took it off the sidestand it felt very light.
I spend a few minutes to shuffle through the menus on the TFT screen. I had 4 ride modes to choose between including a custom mode where you can set the different characteristics to your liking (throttle response, engine breaking, TC and ABS).
During my test ride I tried the different modes and they make the bike behave significantly different.
The Tuareg was a blast to ride.
Light, agile, responsive and super easy to handle.
I really liked the ergos. The riding position is very relaxed and roomy.
The engine is a gem. A bit more vibrations gets transferred to foot pegs and handlebars compared to the T7, but it never became annoying.
At low revs it's comparable to the CP2 but at higher revs (above 6-7.000 rpm) it becomes noticeably more powerful.
The sound from the intake at higher revs is pure porn.
During my 1 hour test ride I didn't notice anything about the bike that I didn't like.
I'm not in the market for that type of bike right now, but if I were, I would definitely choose the Tuareg over the T7 - even with the knowledge that it probably wouldn't be as trouble free to own.
I wanted to compare it with the T7 which I've ridden a few times.
On paper the Tuareg beats the T7.
- Same weight but lower COG.
- Larger fuel tank.
- More power.
- Better suspension.
- More ground clearance.
- Tubeless tires.
- Better seat (and better ergos for my 183 cm/6ft).
- Full electronic package (incl. CC).
Price wise the Tuareg is only a bit more expensive than the standard T7 and significantly cheaper than the World Raid edition.
Initial impression when I landed at the Aprilla dealer and parked the T12 next to the Tuareg was that it appeared very slim with nice fit and finish.
As I got on the Tuareg and took it off the sidestand it felt very light.
I spend a few minutes to shuffle through the menus on the TFT screen. I had 4 ride modes to choose between including a custom mode where you can set the different characteristics to your liking (throttle response, engine breaking, TC and ABS).
During my test ride I tried the different modes and they make the bike behave significantly different.
The Tuareg was a blast to ride.
Light, agile, responsive and super easy to handle.
I really liked the ergos. The riding position is very relaxed and roomy.
The engine is a gem. A bit more vibrations gets transferred to foot pegs and handlebars compared to the T7, but it never became annoying.
At low revs it's comparable to the CP2 but at higher revs (above 6-7.000 rpm) it becomes noticeably more powerful.
The sound from the intake at higher revs is pure porn.
During my 1 hour test ride I didn't notice anything about the bike that I didn't like.
I'm not in the market for that type of bike right now, but if I were, I would definitely choose the Tuareg over the T7 - even with the knowledge that it probably wouldn't be as trouble free to own.
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Boris
Well-Known Member
That’s a great looking bike.
Yes it is.
Initially I didn't pay any attention when it was launched.
Last month on a visit to Athens I saw one in the flesh for the first time. I was impressed.
After I got home I searched information about the bike. Everything I found made me more interested.
I won't be surprised if this becomes a very popular bike.
Is Aprilla owned by VW? 'Cuz VW has the Touareg. Yes, the Aprilla doesn't have the "o", but the best I can tell, it's pronounced the same. I know China likes to take a lot of artistic licenses with vehicles, but I wouldn't think that either of these companies would let that fly . . . . unless they have a business relationship.
whisperquiet
Well-Known Member
My neighbor and riding buddy just bought a new Tuareg 660…..I have a 21 T700 and we switched off last week. His bike had less than 1000 miles but did shift noticeably stiffer and more deliberate than my T7 with almost 21,000 miles on it. The engine vibration was a little coarser than the T7, but was not objectionable. I thought both bikes had similar horsepower and accelerated about the same with the Tuareg being geared slightly taller. The T7 felt quicker of the bottom and the Tuareg had a higher rpm rush.
I have had my T7 re-sprung and it was quite a bit more plush than the Tuareg …….. it was obviously not set up for me and has a fully adjustable suspension just like the T7.
The ergos on The Tuareg were great for me and if I owned one the only change would be lower foot pegs. The fit and finish were superb……slim and nimble.
I have always felt that my T7 felt way heavier than it is and is very top heavy due to the very tall T7 CP2 engine. I am 6’4” tall with a 35 inch inseam and I have really never warmed up to the T7 ergos.
And, the best is saved for last……..the tubeless wheels/tires, factory cruise control, and TFT screen are well worth the extra cost of the Tuareg over the Tenere 700. I would buy one over the T7 if the closest Aprilia dealer wasn’t located 250 miles from me.
I have had my T7 re-sprung and it was quite a bit more plush than the Tuareg …….. it was obviously not set up for me and has a fully adjustable suspension just like the T7.
The ergos on The Tuareg were great for me and if I owned one the only change would be lower foot pegs. The fit and finish were superb……slim and nimble.
I have always felt that my T7 felt way heavier than it is and is very top heavy due to the very tall T7 CP2 engine. I am 6’4” tall with a 35 inch inseam and I have really never warmed up to the T7 ergos.
And, the best is saved for last……..the tubeless wheels/tires, factory cruise control, and TFT screen are well worth the extra cost of the Tuareg over the Tenere 700. I would buy one over the T7 if the closest Aprilia dealer wasn’t located 250 miles from me.
Boris
Well-Known Member
Dealer network and parts availability were always a bit of a thorn in the side of Aprilia ownership. I had a Caponord 1000 for in excess of 13 years prior to my Super Tenere and it was a great bike, giving me about 70000 ish miles of fun. It was pretty much faultless during ownership, a couple of coils and a starter solenoid were the only arguable exceptions to consumables, it never left me stranded nor doing roadside repairs. My RSV Mille before that was much the same.
I reckon that 660 will be a good bike.
I reckon that 660 will be a good bike.
Longdog Cymru
Well-Known Member
I haven’t heard any rumblings about this “issue” with the MT07 series of bikes, the reports all seem to agree they are bullet-proof, but who the heck rides around on the back wheel all of the time and just what is an “excessive wheelie” is anyway? How do you know when a wheelie becomes excessive?
sheikyerbooty
Well-Known Member
when you fall off the back
That's why i asked the question. I was looking into the 700 Tracer and I came across it somewhere about a year ago. Can't remember where. I haven't seen anything.else myself but I don't trawl other forums and and not on Faceache so asked here. Glad it's not seen as a problem as if I was looking for something smaller the Tracer would be on the list.
cyclemike4
Well-Known Member
I know of people who have hurt engines bad from riding wheelies. Extreme RPM's of the motor and oil starvation is not good. But like I told them you can't expect that bike to last very long at all riding it like that. If it isn't totaled in a wreck it is going to be trash just from abuse. If you play you will pay. On the other hand we have wheelied dirt bikes my whole life and other than wearing out timing chains don't think any of us have ever hurt a motor from oil starvation. The motors I have taken apart really don't seem to have any system built in them to keep oil at the pump intake. The old dirt bikes had small enough transmissions that even when the bike was straight up a little oil was at the pick up. I did read the other day that Polaris put the sling shot engine in a side by side and they had to redesign the oiling system for extreme angles to keep it oiling. there is always some one to push the limits of whatever is made that is for sure!
Curious to know about any buffeting or ridiculous wind/noise at highway, 70mph+, speeds? Any other ergo things you noticed being 6'4"? Im 6'2" and buffeting is a concern since it can take hour(s) to reach BDR. Also, having a small somewhat comfortable bike for day rides to compliment the large bike would be a plus.
whisperquiet
Well-Known Member
I did not notice any unusual noise or buffeting……but, I did not ride it over 60mph for any length of time. I am pretty sensitive to wind noise and wear earplugs always when riding. My Super Tenere is quiet compared to my T7 as it has a large VStream windshield and the OEM Yamaha side winglets mounted. I would think the Tuareg would be pretty calm and quiet enough ……. depends on how winds blow on rides.