SERIOUSLY OFF-ROAD

Make no mistake, the new Aprilia Tuareg is not just an off-road looking bike, it is more than capable off road.

As soon as you stand up on the grippy pegs (with removable rubbers), you feel at home. You peer over the small-ish screen, the bars are tall and wide, the seat and tank narrow, meaning you can hold on to the sides with your inner legs — really, this has been made for off-road riding. You are over the front, you can feel the front take the punishment of the terrain, whilst you play with the excellent fuelling, allowing the rear to drift for fun. The mirrors are a little obtrusive on forearms, but, for an average rider, there are few complaints. For a road-going adventure bike it is light, easy to manage, with a nice balance at low speeds. Again, if you are inexperienced, you can add some TC and rely on the ABS at the front.

We rode on the standard Pirelli Scorpion Rally rubber on standard pressures and with the suspension untouched. The dedicated Off Road mode deactivates the ABS on the rear and I went one step further and removed the TC, normally set to one. Engine braking was set to three, to give more control. Serious off-road riders will want to reduce the tyre pressures or change the tyres, depending on the conditions, and possibly soften the front which was a little harsh at times. With a full tank of fuel, there is also weight over the front which makes popping the front up harder work than I was expecting, but the shorter first gear does help.

We only got a flavour off-road, on relatively gentle third- and fourth-gear sections, but initial impressions are good. Aprilia have clearly designed a bike to work in extreme situations, whilst still being accessible to relatively new off-road riders.