APRILIA’S EXOTIC SUPERSPORT
High-spec RS660 to re-ignite middleweight sports class
Aprilia are giving their range a thorough shake-up with the introduction of a new family of middleweights. These will be based on a fresh parallel-twin engine, and this is the first bike: the new RS660. Though clearly a sportsbike and designed with performance in mind, this isn’t a superserious track tool like the RSV4. Instead, the RS660 is designed to ‘rediscover the pleasure and joy of everyday riding’ and be as much fun on the road as it will be on the occasional trackday.
Its eight-valve, parallel-twin engine is based on the front cylinder bank of the 1078cc V4 from the RSV4 1100. It uses a 270˚ firing interval for V-twin-like sound and feel, like Yamaha’s MT-07, and makes 100bhp. The engine is a load-bearing part of the chassis and has the asymmetric aluminium swingarm hanging from its cases – the aluminium frame has no pivot plates. Forks are adjustable 41mm KYB, and the rear shock has a progressive action despite no linkage. Aprilia claim 169kg dry (11 less than an RSV4 RR). So far, so sporty. However, Aprilia stress that the RS is a road bike. There’s plenty of steering lock, the seat is described as ‘spacious’, and, unlike the prototype shown this time last year, the clip-on ’bars are mounted above the top yoke. Imagine a riding position closer to Honda’s usable CBR650R than Yamaha’s focused R6. Aprilia produced the first bike with full ride-by-wire control (2007’s Shiver) and aren’t shy when it comes to electronics. So, the RS660 features a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and all the RSV4’s fancy bits, including traction and wheelie control, cruise, two-way quickshifter, five riding modes and cornering ABS. There’s a colour TFT dash with Road and Track display options, and Aprilia’s MIA interface lets it connect to your phone. With a headset you can take calls and use the dash to display direction info from your phone’s navigation.
High-tech features continue with its LED headlights, surrounded by funky daytime running lights that also contain the indicators. The RS has cornering lights, too. Colours are stealthy black or a purple and red scheme inspired by the 1994 RS250 Reggiani Replica.
Aprilia are tight-lipped on price and availability but with its spec the RS660 won’t be cheap – expect at least £12,000. They’ve come clean about another model that’ll use this new twin-cylinder platform, though, by showing the Tuono 660 concept. Given they claim the mechanics are ‘very versatile, adapting well to different types of bike,’ maybe it’ll be joined by a Caponord 660 in 2021 as well.