2023 Aprilia Tuono 660

The Tuono 660 overflows with Aprilia’s technical know-how, right down to the aerodynamic winglets integrated into the side cowlings. With its namesake’s legendary rowdiness reinvented for affordability and approachability, the Tuono 660 exhibits the Noale factory’s performance heritage and desire to innovate in the market. The Tuono 660 is a capable leader in the middleweight naked class.

With the introduction of the RS 660 in 2020, followed by the Tuono 660 naked a year later, and the Tuareg 660 ADV a year after that, Aprilia filled three gaping holes in its lineup. Offering a wider range of motorcycles to a wider range of riders has practically shored up the foundation of the brand.

The Tuono 660 and Tuono 660 Factory, an up-spec version added in 2022, play a significant role by chasing a huge market segment. The Tuono 660 is accessible to masses of riders who’ve cut their teeth on less expensive Japanese naked bikes and are looking for a Europass straight to Aprilia-land. Jumping from an entry-level machine to a Tuono V4 Factory is a big leap in more ways than one, but the Tuono 660 smooths the way without diluting the full-bore experience. With sport-oriented suspension and rowdy torque delivery only a twist of the grip away, the Tuono 660 does what Aprilia does best—and for quite a bit less money than the Tuono V4. Plus, riding it for all its worth and grabbing greedy fistfuls of throttle won’t trigger any NORAD alarms alerting them to the presence of an Italian flying object doing extra-legal speeds.

Aprilia doesn’t turn a blind eye to versatility either: The Tuono 660 comes standard with cruise control. And just like that, the daily commute is redeemed of its drudgery. In all, the Tuono 660 is more than just a strategic steppingstone to Noale’s top-end offerings.

The Aprilia Tuono 660 and 660 Factory are unchanged for 2023.

The Tuono 660 is available in two specs. The base-model Tuono 660 is available in Rush Grey or Torque Red for $10,499 and Acid Gold for $10,699. The Tuono 660 Factory is available in the Factory Dark or TooFast for $10,999.

The Factory version ups bang for the buck with several key upgrades. In terms of hardware, it uses a lithium-ion battery that saves about 4 pounds, and more significantly, it gets an upgraded, fully adjustable KYB fork and Sachs shock. The countershaft sprocket is one-tooth smaller for improved acceleration.

On the software side, the addition of a six-axis IMU is responsible for delivering a more sophisticated suite of electronic ride aids. To look its best, the Factory version also includes a rear seat cowl.

In terms of design and engine capacity, the Tuono 660 competes with middleweight nakeds, including the Triumph Trident 660 (from $8,595), Honda CB650R ($9,399), Yamaha MT-07 ($8,199), Suzuki SV650 ($7,399), and Kawasaki Z650 ($7,749).

In the real world, the Tuono practically prices itself out of contention. In fact, those bikes are not so much competition as they are steppingstones to the Tuono 660. Engine capacity aside, the Aprilia stands alone: a middleweight naked with serious intent and a host of up-spec features that includes advanced rider aids absent from every other bike in the class.

Keep in mind that larger-displacement naked bikes aren’t far from the Tuono. Triumph’s Street Triple R ($9,995) and Street Triple RS ($12,845) might be considered, as well as Yamaha’s MT-09 ($9,799) and Öhlins-equipped MT-09 SP ($11,499). Twin-cylinder options include the Suzuki GSX-8S ($8,849), KTM’s 790 Duke ($9,199) and 890 Duke R ($12,949), plus Ducati’s Monster Plus ($12,995) and up-spec Monster SP ($15,595).

The Tuono 660 uses the same liquid-cooled 659cc parallel-twin engine as the RS 660 and Tuareg 660. On the Cycle World dyno, the Tuono 660 belted out an impressive 86.95 peak horsepower at 10,630 rpm and 44.95 lb.-ft. of torque at 8,860 rpm.

Power delivery is mostly linear, but there’s a slight bump around 7,000 rpm where the Tuono unleashes a hair-raising howl eerily similar to the V-4′s bark. A broad and flat torque curve adds flexibility in gear selection, making for usable drivability at any rpm. Initial throttle response is crisp and things get exciting quickly as it rips through its six-speed gearbox via the quickshifter (a factory option on the base model; standard on the Factory variant).

Kevin Cameron notes: “Aprilia has something of great value in the refined combustion chambers and ports of its RSV4 superbike, so it made sense to share them with the 660. To counter secondary shaking force (which arises from the twice-per-revolution changes in connecting-rod angle) the two crankpins are set at 270 degrees. By opposing rather than adding those secondary forces, this cancels them. The result is humane smoothness for all-day riding. That 270-degree crankpin spacing also replaces the traditional drone of an even-firing parallel twin with the more muscular syncopated sound of a V-twin.”

The base-model Tuono has a 41mm fork, adjustable for preload and rebound damping, and a linkage-less shock with the same adjustability as the front. The Tuono 660 Factory ups the game with a fully adjustable KYB fork and an oil reservoir–equipped Sachs rear shock. Both models use the same two-piece aluminum chassis as the RS 660.

The Tuono’s sharp, sport-oriented design is also evident in the chassis. Its quick and nimble handling is appreciated when charging the twisties; straight-line stability makes for a well-balanced package. The relatively steep 24.1-degree steering head angle and 4.1-inch trail measurement means a direct feel to the contact patch of the front tire. And that means confidence when pushing the limit.

A pair of twin four-piston Brembo calipers clamping 320mm discs up front quickly bring the relatively lightweight (a claimed 404 pounds) RS 660 to a halt. A single two-piston Brembo caliper and 220mm disc handle rear braking.

Aprilia claims the Tuono has a fuel economy of roughly 48 mpg.

The Tuono’s haul-ass ergonomic position means you’ll never forget its aggressive intent. The up-and-back footpeg position puts the rider in an athletic lower-body stance, which helps in hustling the Aprilia through quick transitions. It’s an in-command and sporty reach to the one-piece handlebar, but with more wrist pressure than some of its competitors. We love the Tuono’s position for ripping the canyons, but it’s less comfortable for the daily commute.

The base-model Tuono 660 forgoes the quickshifter and IMU, both of which come standard on the Tuono 660 Factory (they are available as accessories on the base model). Both models have five riding modes. The base model’s more basic electronics mean traction control and wheelie control cannot be independently adjusted as they can on the Factory version. The Factory version’s IMU adds cornering ABS to the equation and manages the other rider aids (engine-brake control, traction control, engine map, and wheelie control).

In general, power delivery is aided by easily adjustable and super-precise race-spec electronic rider aids, which lend a hand to less experienced riders or those navigating unfamiliar, tricky roads.

Both models have TFT displays, cruise control, and LED lighting. Adaptive LED headlights on the Factory are a nice touch, too.

Like all Aprilia models, the RS 660 comes with a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty.

Aprilia’s premium quality, sophisticated electronics, high performance, and easy-to-ride manner sets the Tuono 660 above the competition, arguably putting it in a realm of its own.