2020 Aprilia RS 660 First Look Preview

After years of speculation the 2020 Aprilia RS 660 has finally been revealed at EICMA 2019. Aprilia has been working on this project for a long time and if the bike is as impressive as it looks, it should be something special. The CliffsNotes version of the story is that the RS 660 is a purpose-built sportbike intended to fill the gap between the small-displacement motorcycles and the full-blown RSV4-series superbikes and streetbikes. It has a 100-hp parallel twin that is basically an RSV4 engine with the rear cylinders removed, a purpose-built aluminum frame and swingarm, plus the same APRC system found on the big bikes as well.

Aprilia worked diligently to come up with a design that was distinctly Aprilia in nature. It starts with the triple front LED headlight and perimeter lighting with turn signals integrated into them. Bodywork is tightly fitted to the chassis and includes a slim version of the MotoGP-inspired winglets featured on the RSV4 Factory. The bodywork ends with a stubby tailsection and the exposed aluminum frame and swingarm have a decidedly Noale-like design element gleaming off them.

The track-inspired double fairing is functional too. It helps keep the bike stable at high speed while decreasing wind buffeting and redirecting hot air from the engine at all times. A low-slung exhaust system helps reduce the heat while keeping the extra weight held low on the bike’s center of gravity. A lot of effort was put into developing a riding position that is relaxed and comfortable over the course of a long ride, daily commute, or a weekend at the track. As a result, the seat is large and cozy and has a functional passenger seat that can be replaced with the optional solo seat cowl. The bars are tall and the footpegs are placed strategically in an effort to create the perfect riding position.

Handling and performance had to be good enough to uphold Aprilia’s reputation as well. This part of the equation starts with its lightweight aluminum frame and linkageless asymmetrical arched swingarm that are based on the RSV4. The engine is a load-bearing element of the design and also includes the pivot point for direct attachment of the sculpted swingarm. Both the brakes and suspension components had to be high quality as well. A fully adjustable 41mm Kayaba fork and rear shock seem to be adequate while the dual 320mm rotors and radial-mount Brembo master cylinders should be more than up to the task when it comes to slowing this twin down.

The truly special element of the RS 660 platform is the new parallel-twin engine. According to Aprilia, it is basically the RSV4 powerplant, minus the rear cylinders. Sound wild? We thought so too. Aprilia says this is just the first of an entire new lineup of motorcycles that will utilize this compact engine (we suspect the Tuono 660 will be next). Aprilia claims the forward-facing twin with its 270-degree crank will pump out 100 hp, which will be modulated through the same ride-by-wire system used on the superbikes.

And that’s just the beginning, folks. The RS 600 comes equipped with the same six-axis IMU and full complement of APRC electronic controls as the RSV4. For those of you who are not as well versed in Aprilia technical terms, we will lay it out for you. The 2020 Aprilia RS 660 will come standard with Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), Aprilia Cruise Control (ACC), Aprilia Quick Shifter (AQS), Aprilia Engine Brake (AEB), and Aprilia Engine Map (AEM) along with Cornering ABS, five distinct Ride Modes (three for road, two for the track), Aprilia MIA multimedia interface, and the TFT instrument panel that allows you to track all the settings and functions. It is truly a dizzying array of technological treats designed to make your riding experience that much better.

We know the 2020 Aprilia RS 660 will be offered in two colors, but there’s no price or availability at this time. We will be able to pick one of these fine specimens up in either traditional black version with red highlights as it is pictured here… but we have yet to be shown the purple and red version that pays homage to the 1994 RS250 Reggiani Replica, which was the last of the company’s two-stroke sportbikes.

Stay tuned for more details and information as it is made available to us in the near future. Until then, let us know what you think of the newest addition to the Aprilia family. We think it looks amazing but what do you think of the latest Italian sportbike? That’s the real question.