Motorcycle specifications ApriliaRS 660 2020 A pair of claws

It's a daring gamble, and the one everyone's been waiting for. At a time when sport bikes only make sense on the racetrack, Aprilia has come up with a brand-new machine. A little beauty, brought to the altar of sport with one watchword: pleasure without radicalism.

Aprilia has set foot in the medium-displacement sports bike sector. Its weapon: the RS 660. Its goal: pleasure before the track. Its direct competition: none. So, why is the Noale-based firm entering a rundown category where almost everyone else has pulled the plug?
Because this machine is the revival of the sporty road bike.

It's superb! Graceful, slender, toned and sparkling, the RS 660 looks ready to play. Its size and lines give the impression of a motorcycle with a more than measured weight. And it is. This Aprilia weighs just 169 kilos dry. Apart from the installation of mirrors, a "street legal" exhaust and a plate holder, the production RS 660 is extremely close to the prototype presented at EICMA 2018. So, everything was ready, and Aprilia was just waiting for the public's enthusiasm to launch the final process. While it draws its inspiration from the lines of the RSV4, this doesn't mean that it's content to copy and paste the front end, as we've seen on many of the brand's machines. The RS takes a fresh look at the triptych headlamp unit. We appreciate the beautiful effect of the luminous daytime eyelashes, as well as the welcome freshness of the silhouette. The multi-layered fairing bears witness to a clear focus on aerodynamics and styling effects. The night-time look has not been forgotten, with the headlamps adopting a bend lighting system.

With its more streamlined look, under-engine exhaust and more graceful frame, the RS 660 looks like a teenager next to the lady RSV4. The latter breathes chrono; the youngster prefers adrenalin-fuelled, impromptu rides. For this, her heart beats in a completely different register to that of the pistardes.

a new generation of machines means a new engine. The Italian beauty gets a brand-new, all-new, all-wiggling in-line twin. To design it, Aprilia used a chainsaw to cut the RSV4 1100 's 4-cylinder V-twin in 2, then added a little volume to the cylinders. This parallel-twin stands out for its compactness and power. It produces 100 horsepower, an excellent figure for this type of engine with this displacement. By way of comparison, a Paton S1-R with an (upgraded) Kawasaki ER-6 twin produces 80 horsepower. As for an MT-07, even with a few extra cm3, it tops out at 75 hp.
Euro5-approved, this block will also be available in an A2-compatible version.

Aprilia has opted for a 270° valve timing, to obtain the character of a V-twin and more engine feel.
On top of this, electronics will be present at several levels. This is logical, given that Aprilia is one of the pioneers and most prolific manufacturers of series-production riding aids. The RS 660 benefits from a Ride-by-Wire throttle, a 6-axis inertial unit and the high-content APRC package. These include ATC traction control, AWC wheeling control, AEB engine braking management, AQS up&down shifter, ACC cruise control and several injection maps under the AEM label.
How many in the box? Five, with two distinct trends. Three are designed for on-road driving:
- Dynamic, for sporty outings,
- Commute, more suited to everyday driving,
- Individual, allowing the driver to configure all on-board assistants.
Then there are two dedicated to circuit driving:
- Challenge, for getting the most out of your machine,
- Time Attack, designed for experienced riders who want to push the Aprilia to its limits.

All this is accessible via new handlebar controls and a color TFT display. The latter features two display modes (Strada or Pista) with automatic backlighting. The Aprilia multimedia platform can be added as an option, enabling call management and a navigation function, among other functions.

the 660 twin promises to deliver some great moments. All it needs is a chassis that extracts the optimum substance for fast, playful, technical and enjoyable rides. In short, it's a bike that can be ridden without restraint or misfortune. Aprilia knows the terrain and the solutions; it's even one of the masters of layout. The first surprise is the surprisingly compact aluminum frame. It uses the engine as a load-bearing element, eliminating the need for side sections between the gearbox and swingarm. The swingarm is also unprecedented, built asymmetrically, also in aluminum, and anchored directly to the crankcases.

Another surprising feature is the location of the rear shock absorber. On a motorcycle of this orientation, you'd expect a linkage-mounted unit to optimize performance. Not so. It's held directly on either side, with no additional progressivity element. Aprilia defends this choice in terms of weight savings, while at the same time emphasizing the effectiveness of the damping.
The front drivetrain is in the tradition of sporty elements, without tipping over into racing, but still of high quality. The 41 mm Kayaba inverted fork is adjustable, and is finished off by Brembo 4-piston radial brake calipers. The master cylinder comes from the same manufacturer. 320 mm discs handle deceleration while the electronics (again) take care of business. Cornering ABS optimizes braking according to conditions.

Why this notion of renewal? Because it's no longer just the Yamaha R6 and MV-Agusta F3 675 that are fighting for SuperSports survival. The days of glory are lost in the memories of the Honda CBR 600 RR, Triumph 675 Daytona R, Ducati 749, Suzuki 600 GSX-R and Kawasaki ZX-6R. The Kawasaki ZX-6R has changed sides, and now only exists in 636 cm3.
Aprilia is aiming for a virtue that fell into oblivion when sports bikes became radical. That of sporty pleasure on the road, as in the days of the T-Cat, CBR 600 F, 900 CBR and other models that had little interest in competition. A revealing and unwavering sign: the position of the half handlebars. On the Aprilia RS 660, they are one level above the fork crown (the opposite of a racing bike). With a riding position that's not too extreme, this excited rider will regain a comfort that's long gone.

who could oppose her? The Panigale V2.... already has too much horsepower. The CBR or Ninja 650.... not sporty enough. The ZX636.... Too track-oriented. The Norton 650 Superlight... too exclusive. The RS 660 is a cornerstone between several worlds and degrees of motorcycle sport.

No unmanageable power, superbike solutions or missile potential. It's all about emotion, usable watts and taut trajectories. It's almost a modern projection of the late TRX, 900 SS and VTR of yesteryear.
However, the Italian company is keen to give a nod to its racing heritage, recalling in passing the remarkable epic of the RS 250. One of the available decals is nothing less than a Loris Reggiani replica - the first rider to bring victory to Aprilia.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos