Aprilia Tuono 660 5 Things You Need To Know

It’s a common misunderstanding that the Tuono 660 is basically an RS 660 with a shooter fairing. But there’s a lot more to the Tuono than meets the eye. So here are five important points that’ll bring you up to speed with everything there is to know about Aprilia’s upcoming mid-displacement streetfighter:

RS 660 Underneath?

Sure, the two bikes are based on the same platform, but the Tuono is designed for street use with more accessible performance. Design-wise, the Tuono features the same LED headlight, albeit a shorter aerodynamic fairing and a belly pan. 

The rider’s triangle has also been altered thanks to flat handlebars and changes to the subframe. As a result, the rider sits a bit higher with an upright riding posture. 

Also Read: Aprilia’s Answer To The 790 Duke And Street Triple Is Coming To India

Tuned For Street Use

The Tuono's RSV4-derived 660cc parallel-twin engine has been detuned to make it more usable. In essence, it makes 95PS which is 6PS lower than the RS 660. Despite the lower power rating, the Tuono 660 is more powerful than the Triumph Trident 660 or even the Kawasaki Z650 which produce 81PS and 68PS respectively. 

Not only this, the Italian streetfighter gets a shorter final drive for better acceleration and responsiveness. You even get a pillion seat for your better half.

Also Read: Triumph Trident Set To Challenge Honda CB650R, Yamaha MT-07 And Kawasaki Z650

Electronics Galore

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A wheelie happy motorcycle does need a comprehensive list of electronic rider aids to keep the power under control. For that reason, the folks at Aprilia have equipped the Tuono 660 with multi-level traction control, anti-wheelie control, cruise and engine brake control. You even get selectable engine maps -- three for the road and two for track. Each one of these modes gets its own dedicated ABS intervention setting as well.

Some Serious Hardware

The diecast aluminium frame ties everything together with Kayaba adjustable suspension, an aluminium swingarm, Brembo monoblocs, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2s.

India Launch Timeline?

Diego Graffi, Managing Director of Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, has confirmed that both the RS 660 and Tuono 660 will be launched in India by July 2021. Since there are no plans of assembling the bikes in India anytime soon, expect the RS 660 to be priced around Rs 13 lakh, and the Tuono a lakh cheaper. That’s almost double of the price of the Kawasaki Z650 (Rs 6.04 lakh) and the Triumph Trident’s expected sticker price of around Rs 7.10 lakh. 

Then again, it offers more performance which puts it in the same league as the Triumph Street Triple R, BMW F 900 R, and Kawasaki Z900.