The worst-kept secret in the moto world for 2021 is finally here, as we now have official information about the upcoming 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. I say it’s the worst-kept secret because Aprilia itself teased the bike back in November of 2019, and the official photos you’ll find all over this story don’t look too far removed from the ones back then. 

Based on the RS660 platform, that second word provides all the foreshadowing needed as Aprilia basically told the world’s press during the presentation for the RS (without actually saying the words) that a Tuono 660 was coming. Other bikes based on this platform are in the pipeline too – the Tuareg 660 adventure bike being the next, we assume – but let’s get back to the Tuono 660. An even more street-focused sporty-bike than the RS660, the obvious comparison will be to consider this a miniature Tuono V4 which, in case you didn’t know, is one of our favorite motorcycles. 

Right From The Tuono Playbook

Like the Tuono V-Twins and V4 before it, the Tuono 660 is exactly what you expect it to be: a naked version of its fully-faired cousin, the RS660. The obvious difference is its upright bars as opposed to the RS’s clip-ons, making the seating position even more upright than the RS660. More than just a change from clip-ons to a handlebar, the Tuono also gets a slight geometry change thanks to a “different offset of the fork plate,” says Aprilia. And by eye-balling photos of the RS and Tuono, it does appear that the top triple clamp on the Tuono brings a slight change in geometry compared to the RS.

Keeping with Tuono tradition, the 660 version sheds much of the bodywork from the RS660 to give a minimal appearance in comparison. A tiny bikini fairing containing the triple LED headlights remains with a small flyscreen sitting on top. Aprilia cleverly kept the dual-layer fairing “winglet” on the Tuono 660, and like the version seen on the RS, its function is to better channel heat away from the rider instead of adding downforce to the front tire.

Much of the Same

Otherwise, the Tuono 660 doesn’t deviate much from the RS660 – not that we’re complaining. Power comes from the same 659cc parallel-Twin first seen in the RS, whose 270º firing order is sure to gain a cult following not only for how fun it is to rev, but also for how good it sounds at full song. There is one notable difference between the RS and Tuono: shorter final drive gearing should help it accelerate with a little more gusto, which is welcome for the street environment where the Tuono 660 will likely spend most of its time. Aprilia’s claiming 95 hp and a curb weight of 403 lbs, putting it in a nice sweet spot in terms of power and weight.

Joining that fun engine is the same APRC electronics package the RS660 uses, which means you get multi-level traction control, anti-wheelie control, cruise control, up/down quickshifter, engine brake, and selectable engine maps, along with ABS. The color TFT instrumentation makes it easy to see vital information, too. Just as with the RS, the Tuono also gets five Riding Modes (three dedicated to road riding and two for the track) with the option to set a custom mode for both track and street riding.

Similar (if not identical) Kayaba suspension will come on the Tuono and so will the Brembo calipers, 320mm discs, radial master cylinder, and steel-braided lines.

Color and Price

So, what’ll it cost? If a Tuono 660 is calling your name it’ll set you back $10,499 (compared to the $11,299 the RS660 starts at) and comes in three colors: Concept Black, Iridium Grey and the same Acid Gold seen on the RS660 (for an extra $200). Aprilia says bikes will start hitting dealers by the end of Q1 2021.

Competition

We’d be lying if we said we weren’t looking forward to the Tuono 660’s arrival, but if we’re looking at the bigger picture, it’s going to enter into an extremely deep field of potential competition, both in terms of price, performance, intended use, or all of the above. Just see this (partial) list below:

• BMW F900R
• Ducati Monster 
• Harley-Davidson Street Rod
• Honda CB650R 
• Husqvarna ‘pilen 701s 
• Kawasaki Z650 or Z900
• KTM 790/890 Duke 
• MV Agusta Brutale 800 Rosso
• Suzuki SV650
• Triumph Trident
• Yamaha MT-07

As you can see, that’s quite a field the Tuono 660 will be competing against to earn a spot in your garage. Granted, some of these comparisons might be far fetched (I doubt anyone’s going to cross shop this and a Street Rod, for example…), but despite what is sure to be a very fun experience offered by the Tuono 660 (if the RS660 is any indication), we can easily justify spending considerably less money for a different bike, or the same cash for one of the other European contenders. Of that list above, only the Ducati, MV Agusta, and KTMs have a higher price tag. But they also have considerably larger engines.

The Tuono 660 outfitted with Aprilia’s accessory luggage, should you want to tour on one.

If you’re thinking what we’re thinking, then yes, a future shootout between these bikes will be a great way to settle this debate. Until then, feast your eyes on the different photos in the gallery after getting through the official Aprilia press release below.

Begin press release:

APRILIA TUONO 660 FINALLY UNVEILED ON THE APRILIA.COM WEBSITE

THE 2021 TUONO 660 IS THE WORTHY CREATION OF THE LEGENDARY TUONO 1100 AND SIBLING TO THE ASTONISHING RS 660 WITH WHICH IT SHARES MOST OF ITS SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCING A NAKED SPORTBIKE UNIQUE IN ITS SEGMENT: LIGHTWEIGHT AND POWERFUL, WITH A 95 HP TWIN-CYLINDER, HIGHLY ADVANCED ELECTRONICS AND A CHASSIS ARCHITECTURE WORTHY OF ITS NAME

The highly anticipated Tuono 660 – on display for its global premiere online at APRILIA.COM – takes the legendary Aprilia Tuono V4 into the medium engine capacity segment.

Worthy child of the unbeatable Tuono V4 1100, the new Tuono 660 combines manageable power and light weight, for great performance available to all, refined chassis architect and an electronic controls package derived directly from the Tuono V4.

Aprilia Tuono 660 embraces the concepts of sporty versatility, ease and fun that Aprilia is introducing for a new generation of riding enthusiasts.

Aprilia was the first to make a sport naked starting from a technical base created for the track, giving the various Tuono 1000cc V-twins and then the generation of unrivalled V4s incomparable riding and performance qualities.

And so, the new Aprilia RS 660 sport bike is also born out of the Tuono 660, a sport naked version characterized by ultra-high technical content, but with an even more extreme street and daily-use connotation thanks, first and foremost, to the higher riding position which makes for different ergonomics, as well as a natural and comfortable ride.

Aprilia Tuono 660 also shares the primary project objective with RS 660: creating a bike with an extraordinary weight/power ratio: 183 kg (403 lbs) curb weight for 95 HP of power. A category record, which represents the ideal formula for fun on the road, accessible to everyone. Tuono 660 is dedicated to new riders, but also for younger riders who are moving up from smaller engine capacities looking for a high-level sport naked that can provide fun on the road and is also ready to support the rider on the occasional track day.

Tuono 660 has that same aggressive and sporty style as the Tuono family, standing out for its reduced surface dimensions that enhance that dynamic and sport-derived character it has, even when its parked. Like the RS 660, the new Tuono also adopts the innovative concept of the double fairing with aerodynamic appendix function, born out of increasingly more in-depth research in the wind tunnel, as well as the triple LED headlight unit featuring DRL lights.

Tuono 660 boasts a magnificent structure committed to light weight made up of the frame and swingarm, both in die-cast aluminum. The adjustable Kayaba suspension system has a dedicated set-up.

The high handlebar and the chassis architecture measurements differentiate Tuono 660 from the RS, benefiting total control, responsiveness and agile handling, thanks to a different offset of the fork plate.

The engine is used as a bearing element and contributes to forming a compact, lightweight and stiff structure. The latest generation forward-facing twin cylinder, small and lightweight, is a child of the experience gained on the powerful Aprilia V4, from which its construction philosophy and basic technical concepts are drawn. The 270° combustion timing allows that character and grit that riders love so much to be achieved. The final drive is shorter than that of the RS 660, privileging responsiveness and quickness.

Its electronics are top of the class, more advanced than various superbike class bikes: the Ride-by-Wire electronic accelerator provides the best management of the APRC electronic controls suite that includes multi-level traction control, anti-wheelie control, cruise control, engine brake and selectable engine maps, also joined by the ABS system. To easily manage all the electronic controls through the color TFT instrumentation, Aprilia has fine-tuned five Riding Modes (three dedicated to road riding and two for the track): the rider just needs to choose the option that best interprets his or her riding style, always leaving the possibility of customizing them.

Tuono 660 will be available in three color variants: Concept Black, Iridium Grey and the brand new and attractive Acid Gold, already popular on the RS 660, a color never before seen in the motorcycling world which sets new style standards to interpret sportiness in an original and innovative way and to never go unnoticed.

Availability: End of Q1 2021, US and Canada

Price: US $10,499 / $10,699 (Acid Gold)

Canada $12,795 / $13,095 (Acid Gold)