Aprilia has taken the wraps off the next model to feature the 660cc parallel twin as seen in the RS660 and Tuono. With more power than the Yamaha Tenere 700 and better electronics, we should see an interesting battle for sales.

Aprilia Tuareg 660 Takes The Fight To Yamaha

We've known about it for over a year and, finally, Aprilia has officially launched the Tuareg 660 middleweight adventure bike which will go head-to-head with Yamaha's Tenere 700.

Despite giving away a few cc's to the Yamaha (659cc for the Aprilia to 689cc for the Yamaha), the Aprilia's parallel twin engine produces more power - peak power now sits at 78.9 horsepower – some 6.5 horsepower more than the Yamaha – with a peak torque figure of 51.6 pound-feet (50 pound-feet for the Yamaha). In addition, you also get four riding modes, with one customizable on-road and off-road setting and an all-in weight of 187 kg dry, which is about exactly the same as the Yamaha.

The engine in the Aprilia is the same as that seen in the RS660 sports bike and the Tuono naked, but in the Tuareg, it has been tweaked internally to give more low to mid-range power, as befits an adventure bike that needs to plug through off-road terrain and, perhaps, carry luggage.

The chassis is constructed of steel tubing and uses the engine as a stressed member. Inverted forks hold up the front end and a progressive link rear shock the rear. 240mm of suspension travel is good and both ends are adjustable. ABS can be turned off in the rear and all the electronics are configurable via a 5-inch TFT dash.

The bodywork is as you would expect for an adventure bike and conceals an 18-liter fuel tank: no range is quoted but a small parallel twin engine should sip at this to give useful mileage. LED lighting front and rear is a feature.

Seat height is 15mm lower than the Yamaha, at 860mm.

The Tuareg is likely to be a big model for Aprilia, given its size relative to much larger 1200cc+ adventure bikes. Performance will be perfectly adequate in a package that won't be as intimidating, let alone as expensive! No pricing has been published but expect it to slot in between the RS660 and Tuono 660. There is also no word as yet as to when it will make it into dealers.

Yamaha has every right to be worried, although there will still be those who mistrust Italian electronics compared to Japanese. The Yamaha has been praised for its simplicity but buyers always want more, even if they don't always know what they want it for!

Originally talked about at the 2019 EICMA show, the global pandemic delayed its introduction and Aprilia must be happy that it has finally appeared as the adventure market shows no signs of slowing down just yet.