The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is the new kid on the block when it comes to mid size adventure bikes, and it’s a bike that is sure to turn heads. It’s aimed squarely at the Adventure Touring market, and it’s got the looks and the specs to back up its claim.
Competitively priced at $12,599 MSRP, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 is powered by a 660cc liquid cooled engine, and it’s got plenty of torque and power on tap. It’s got a six speed gearbox, and it’s got a pretty wide ratio spread. The Tuareg 660 is also equipped with ABS brakes, and it’s got a 21 inch front wheel and an 18 inch rear wheel.
The Tuareg 660 is a pretty big bike, but it’s not too big. It’s got a seat height of 860mm, and it weighs in at 210kg. The fuel tank holds 20 litres of fuel, and the bike has a claimed range of 400km.
The Seat
At a glace you might never guess how comfortable the seat is, but the fact is that it is one of the most comfortable seats on the adventure bike market today. The secret is in the way that it’s been designed, and it’s doesn’t have deep contours and that gives the rider the ability to move around on the seat. The fact that it is a one-piece seat also helps to keep the rider in place, and it’s not uncommon for riders to forget that they are even on an adventure bike.
The seat is however really tall at 860mm (33.9 inches) which can make it difficult for shorter riders to flat foot the bike at a stop. This is something that you will need to take into consideration if you are considering the Tuareg 660.
The seat is narrow making it easier for shorter riders to get on foot or both on the ground.
The Mirrors
The mirrors are awesome clear with great visibility and they are placed so that you don’t get any vibration at speed, they also don’t have blind spots.
The Clutch
The non adjustable clutch on the Tuareg is smooth and light, making it easy to use even in stop and go traffic. The cable routing could be better as it is exposed and vulnerable to damage, but this is a minor quibble.
Gearbox
Although there is no quick shifter on the Tuareg you really won’t miss it as the gearbox is buttery smooth, making it a joy to use both on and off road.
Even the spacing on the gear ratios is perfect for on and off road use.
Neutral is also very easy to find in the Aprilia Tuareg 660 whether you are on the move or at a stand still.
Turning Circle
The Turning Circle On The Tuareg Is Smaller Than Some Of The Other Bikes In Its Class, making it easy to maneuver both on and off road.
Lights
The lights are fantastic, they are very bright and they give the rider a lot of visibility both on and off road.
The Tail Light Is Also Very Bright, making it easy for following traffic to see.
The Kick Stand
The kick stand is easy to use and it’s also out of the way so you don’t accidentally kick it when your riding.
Its solid and it’s not going to let the bike fall over even on the roughest of terrain.
The bike does not however have a center stand.
The Engine
The engine on the Tuareg is a 660cc liquid cooled DOHC four stroke, it’s got plenty of torque and power on tap. It’s a great engine for both on and off road use.
The mid-range has punchy power delivery, making it great for when you need to overtake on the road or climb a steep hill off road.
The top end also has a decent amount of power, making it great for highway riding.
Exhaust
The exhaust on the Tuareg is a dual system with a catalytic converter, it’s nice and quiet at low revs but it opens up nicely as you open the throttle.
The sound is not too loud and it’s not obnoxious, it’s just right.
There are after market exhaust options available if you want to make your Tuareg sound louder.
The Brakes
Brakes are Brembo with dual 300mm discs up front. The brakes are more than adequate for both on and off road use smooth acting with non-intrusive ABS.
The reach adjustable front brake lever is very easy to use, even with gloves on. The front brake has good feel and plenty of power, making it easy to stop the 205kg (452lbs) Tuareg.
The rear brake is also very good, it’s not as powerful as the front brake but it’s still more than adequate.
Engine braking is also preset to suit different riding modes.
Urban has the most, then explore, off road has very little engine braking while individual has three levels of adjustments.
As a safety feature the hazard lights come on during heavy braking.
Suspension
The suspension on the Tuareg is fully adjustable, with preload, rebound and compression damping all adjustable.
The front suspension is a 46mm USD fork with 210mm (8.3 inches) of travel. The rear is a Sachs monoshock with 200mm (7.9 inches) of travel.
The suspension is well calibrated and it’s very easy to set up, even for a novice.
The shocks are very good quality and they soak up the bumps both on and off road.
The Tyres
The tyres on the Tuareg are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR, they are great all round tyres that perform well both on and off road.
The front tyre is a 110/80R19 and the rear is a 150/70R17.
The wheels are tubeless spoked wheels, they are very strong and they look great.
The Windshield
The windshield on the Tuareg 660 is one of the tallest you’ll find on any bike, both in terms of width and height.
This is great for keeping the wind off your chest while riding, especially at higher speeds.
The screen is non adjustable but does a really good job of keeping the wind off your chest and head, even when riding two up.
The Ergonomics
The ergonomics of the Tuareg 660 are very comfortable, both for on and off road use.
The handlebars are nice and wide, making it easy to control the bike both on and off road they can also be tilted up or down to make them more comfortable for different riders.
This bike is perfect for a standing position when riding off road, giving the rider more control.
The footpegs are also very wide and they have a good grip design to them, making it easy to keep your feet on them even when riding in mud or water.
Fuel Economy
The bike holds 18L of fuel and returns an average of 5 liters/ 100 Km or 20KM per Liter in mixed riding conditions.
You and manage over 300KM on a single tank.
Is This A Great Bike For A Beginner Rider?
Yes, this can be a great option of a beginner rider or someone making the transition from dirt to street riding or street to dirt riding.
We would advise against shorter riders picking this bike as a beginner bike as it can be a bit too tall for some.
The seat height is 890mm (35 inches) and the ground clearance is 260mm (10.2 inches).
The weight of the bike is 205kg (452lbs) which is on the heavy side for a dual sport motorcycle.
Is This The BIke To Have If You Could Only Have One?
Yes, this is a great bike to have if you could only have one. It’s perfect for both on and off road use, it’s comfortable, it’s got plenty of power and it’s fuel efficient.
The only downside to this bike is that it’s not as light as some of the other bikes in its class, but that’s to be expected given its size.
If you’re looking for a great all round bike that can do it all, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 is the bike for you.
Final Thoughts
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is a great all rounder, it’s comfortable, it’s capable both on and off road and it’s got plenty of power.
It’s not the cheapest bike in its class but it’s certainly worth the money.
