Motorcycle specifications ApriliaTuareg 660 2022 Desert surfing

After its last big trail episode with the 1200 Caponord, Aprilia has been without a representative in the category since 2016. A period in the wilderness (no pun intended) that will come to an end with this new 660 Tuareg.

Its engine was initially presented in a racy profile with the RS 660, a breath of fresh, youthful air in the world of sports bikes. The Tuono soon followed to satisfy mid-size streetfighter enthusiasts. Their twin now becomes the heart of a machine with a rally-raid flavour. For the occasion, Aprilia has revived a name that's almost 40 years old. This off-road heritage began in 1985, when the first Tuareg ETX 125 caused a sensation in the world of small trails. Versions 50, 240, 350 and 600 followed in the 80s.

Today's Tuareg 660 has nothing in common with the 600 of 1989. Back then , the single-cylinder 562 cm3 engine produced 46 horsepower. Now, with its ultra-modern, RSV4-inspired twin, the adventurer is in a completely different league. It delivers 80 hp at 9,250 rpm, putting it head and shoulders above its designated rival, the Yamaha 700 Ténéré. It's true that we've lost 20 horsepower since thesporty model, but we've gained more torque (7.1 mkg) and, above all, greater availability at low and medium revs.
The Guzzi V85 TT may also be a target, but the Aprilia seems to have a much more adventurous side.

Its suspensions are unmistakably in this vein. Both front and rear suspension travel are designed to eat up obstacles and even tease cross-country riding. We're talking 240 mm of travel, one of the highest values in the sector. More than an R 1250 GS Adventure or an Africa Twin. Only the KTM 890 Adventure Rally or EXC-style enduro machines offer greater amplitudes. This is reflected in the seat height, which rises to 860 mm.

for its Tuareg, Aprilia has not adopted the aluminum perimeter frame of the RS and Tuono(too typical), but instead uses a tubular steel trellis with aluminum brackets. The fork is an inverted 43 mm model, backed up by a monoshock with progressive linkage. For long-distance riding, this trail bike carries 18 liters of fuel. Weight is kept in check, with a dry weight of 187 kilos.

With its tubeless spoked rims and studded tires, this machine clearly shows its appetite for rocky terrain. In fact, the 21-inch bow, the generously dimensioned (but only 2 mm thick) aluminum engine cowling, the willingness to ride upright and the high ground clearance make it even more appealing. The Tuareg is more reminiscent of abandoned roads than of technological debauchery. And yet....

And yet, it's an Aprilia. So there's a lot of electronics on board. The Noale trail bike is equipped with multiple fuel injection maps, traction control, engine brake adjustment, 4 riding modes, 2 of which can be customized, plus a mode for off-road riding, cruise control, ABS that can be deactivated on the rear wheel or both wheels, all-LED lighting and a 5-inch color TFT display.
A shifter is also included, but as an option. This may seem surprising, given Aprilia's electronics policy, but in the end it's a judicious choice, as shifting is not really in demand in this category of machine. For a road-going or sporty trail SUV, OK - but if you're going to ride in the dirt, forget it.

The 660 Tuareg is full of promise. It should excite the field, as do its cousins with the same engine. But price-wise, it's a far cry from the cheap, all-purpose trail bikes of yesteryear. In fact, it's more expensive than one of the stars of the sector, the Yamaha T7, but its equipment level is nothing like it. It also suggests a great deal of versatility, to enhance its name as much as its pedigree.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos