Aprilia has just made high-performance bikes a little less intimidating for new riders with the new 2021 RS 660—the first of a brand-new range of motorcycles from the Italian brand. Sporting an ideal power-to-weight ratio, Aprilia opted for a highly-tuned 100-bhp 660cc parallel-twin engine instead of a triple or inline-4 powerplant.
- Engine: 659cc parallel-twin engine
- Power Output: 100 horsepower at 10,500 rpm
- Torque: 49.4 lb-ft (67 Nm) at 8,500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-speed gearbox with up/down quickshifter
- Top Speed: Approximately 140 mph (225 km/h)
The result is a lightweight yet high-performance motorcycle accessible to more riders while marking the re-emergence of mid-displacement engine sizes. As Aprilia puts it, the new RS 660 was born “in response to the demand from new generations for fun, easy, and satisfying bikes, just as apt for thrilling road riding as they are for occasional outings on the race track.”
- Weight: 403 lbs (183 kg) wet weight
- Chassis: Aluminum dual beam chassis
- Suspension: Front – Kayaba 41 mm USD fork, fully adjustable; Rear – Asymmetrical swingarm with adjustable monoshock
- Brakes: Front – Dual 320 mm discs with Brembo radial-mount calipers; Rear – Single 220 mm disc with Brembo caliper
- Tires: Front – 120/70 ZR17; Rear – 180/55 ZR17
Offering plenty of torque from a short-stork motor with 80 percent of its maximum torque of nearly 50 ft-lbs from 4000 rpm to the 11,500 rpm redline, shifting duties come from a standard, quick-shifting six-speed transmission. But despite its easy-to-handle characteristics and manageable power, the newcomer doesn’t compromise the other vital features like uber-aggressive styling, premium electronics, various riding modes, multi-map cornering ABS, and die-cast aluminum chassis.
The Acid Gold colour scheme is a first in the segment and looks hot, contrasting with the red wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II rubber paired with Brembo brakes. Other worthy options include the Ducati SuperSport and Yamaha YZF-R6 — but at the 2021 RS 660’s $11,299 competitive price point, Aprilia is hitting the market hard.
