2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 First Ride Review

"Dirt, dust and water". According to Aprilia, that's all you need next to the Tuareg 660 to have a great time. And we're inclined to agree.

Aprilia was founded after WWII by Cavaliere Alberto Beggio as a bicycle production factory. In the late 1960's they shifted to 50cc "motorcycles" (they were really mopeds). By the 1970's, they produced their first motocross bike, called the Scarabeo. As time went on, several world motocross championships were won on Aprilias. This, for many, was when Aprilia's value and notoriety for off road riding began.

This brings us to more recent times and the Aprilia Tuareg 660. In the 80's, there were a number of Tuaregs. Their small-bore two-stroke engines and a namesake derived from Saharan tribespeople made it clear that their ambitions were the Paris-Dakar rally. They entered in 1989, came in 20th, and haven't repeated since.

However, that wasn't enough for the growing Italian brand. They then went on to find success in Grand Prix and road racing - winning over 100 world trials in 125 and 250 cc classes. This drive for a bike that was both off road capable and a strong contender on the track ultimately resulted in the Tuareg 660 that we know today.

In this post, we'll cover:

1. Updates for 2022

2. Ride Modes, Power, and Acceleration

3. Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

4. Wheels, Tires and Brakes

5. Gearbox, Exhaust, and Gas Mileage

6. It's Supposed to be Comfortable? But it Looks Like a Sport Bike!

7. Shots Fired At Yamaha's Ténéré 700

8. Building Your Perfect Tuareg 660

Updates for 2022 

The 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 brings a parallel-twin engine that makes it a great option for those in search of a balanced midsize adventure bike. It is based on Aprilia's Tuono 660 and RS 660 but features a more manageable weight and power output than some of the 1,000cc models out there. Its power delivery system with tractable delivery and throttle response are among the best of its class.

Aprilia Tuareg 660: Ride Modes, Power, and Acceleration

The 660 provides plenty of power yet it is very predictable within its claimed 80 horsepower. It has four ride modes: Urban, Explore, Off-Road and Individual, each requiring different levels of interaction within the system.

It comes standard with Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) and ABS system tuned for all-road use. APRC on the Tuareg 660 includes traction control, cruise control, engine braking and engine-map adjustments. It also features an electronic multimap ride-by-wire throttle system.

Urban mode is ideal for easy riding and provides maximum safety intervention. Explore mode is the Tuareg's 'sport mode', so you can expect enhanced power delivery through a sporty and almost instant throttle response - perfect for more aggressive riding. Off-Road mode equals usable power with minimum traction control and rear ABS disabled. Individual mode lets the rider decide all major settings.

For some, the acceleration leaves a little to be desired, but if you enjoy off road riding, this shouldn't be an issue. A new camshaft higher power at lower rpm does allow it to feel faster from the start.

Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Tuareg’s 659cc parallel-twin engine exhibits remarkable versatility, which equals a truly enjoyable bike. Aprilia's ingenuity is evident in the engine's ability to perform on both on and off-road terrain, thanks to exceptional low-end torque and midrange power. Add in a peak torque of 70 Nm and you've got a more serious ride than other bikes on the market.

The combination of these attributes delivers an exhilarating experience on the pavement while providing stability when traversing rugged off-road terrain.

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Tuareg 660: Everything From Top to Bottom

The Tuareg’s long travel suspension has little in common with its sporty in-house cousins. It features 9.45 inches (240mm) of travel front and rear. It also comes standard with fully adjustable, premium-level front and rear Kayaba units. A linkage-connected shock out back connects to an aluminum swingarm and 43mm fork tubes handle the damping up front. The damping is reported as supportive, allowing riders to take on rough roads while still allowing feedback to come through. 

Aprilia claims a wet weight of 450 pounds for the Tuareg 660, putting it lower than both the Yamaha Ténéré 700 (470 pounds) and the KTM 890 (490 pounds). However, despite this lighter weight, it still features a fairly impressive skid plate; but those who truly prioritize ADV riding may want to consider upgrading it.

It also features a low-profile oil pan, which provides 9.4 inches of ground clearance. A new airbox with longer intake ducts and a quick-change air filter are integrated into the top of the fuel tank to help give the bike more room to breathe.

2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Wheels, Tires and Brakes

The Tuareg 660 comes with 21” front and 18” tubeless spoke wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires. This combination makes for a grippy and dirt-friendly ride. It has Brembo 2-piston calipers in the front and a single floating caliper in the rear. These Brembo brakes mean serious stopping power - further demonstrating Aprilia's dedication to a next level ride.

A few additional details include:

• Front brake: 300 mm diameter floating double disc, Brembo floating caliper with double opposing pistons (Ø30/32 mm). Brembo master cylinder and metal braided brake line
• Rear brake: 260 mm diameter disc, Brembo single piston (Ø34 mm) caliper. Metal braided brake line
• Front Tire: 90/90-21 in.
• Tubeless Rear Tire: 150/70R-18 in.

Gearbox, Exhaust, and Gas Mileage

One common complaint we mentioned is that it doesn’t come standard with an up/down quickshifter. That said, Aprilia did update the gearbox to help with low speed maneuvering by putting in a shorter first gear than some of the other bikes in the family. 

The Tuareg’s exhaust has a deeper tone than similar bikes like the Yamaha Ténéré’s, but it can be hard to hear over the induction noise. To bring it out, consider upgrading to a MIVV Exhaust Slip-On.

Aprilia claims the Tuareg can achieve 59 mpg with its 4.75-gallon fuel capacity. This leaves riders with a theoretical range of 280 miles. Your mileage may vary though - depending on how you ride

It's Supposed to be Comfortable? But it Looks Like a Sport Bike!

With a narrow seat shape, reaching the ground is easy despite its 33.9" seat height. It has a wide handlebar, giving riders enhanced leverage and control in off-road situations. A non-adjustable windscreen provides protection for riders and removable rubber footpeg inserts can be pulled for enhanced grip while going on mountain roads or other excursions.

It has an intuitive and easy-to-use five-inch TFT display and LED lighting, resulting in a convenient riding experience. The menu itself is easy to navigate, making a more custom ride easy to achieve. Through it you can access traction control, cruise control, engine brake and the engine map. Aprilia engineers truly thought of everything here - with a little help from the Piaggio Advanced Design Center.

Unlike other comparable bikes on the market, the Tuareg also has cruise control. These features together with its ergonomics mean a bike that is comfortable and rideable on the streets too. However, for many, the optional Aprilia Quick Shift would be a nice feature to be included as standard, but it instead comes with a fairly hefty price tag.

Shots Fired At Yamaha's Ténéré 700

For many, it's an easy and natural comparison between the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and the Tuareg 660. They both technically qualify as adventure bikes, but in many ways do not act as such. The Ténéré demonstrates a clear bias to rally racing, thanks to a narrow chassis and 9.5" of ground clearance. It has a 689cc parallel-twin engine with 50 ft-lbs of torque and 72hp. It has no ride modes or adjustable traction control settings - only an on / off ABS button.

The Tuareg 660 on the other hand, may have a 30cc smaller engine, but the flip side is that it produces 80 hp more. It also features a parallel-twin engine and both bikes use fully adjustable suspension - with 43mm KYB forks and linkage-type KYB shocks. Unlike the Ténéré, the Tuareg has multiple ABS settings and is known for having an enhanced rider display experience - including improved adjustment for engine maps.

Both bikes are made for adventure riding and are capable off-road and at highway speeds. The Tuareg 660 has a higher price tag, but for many, the option of multiple rider modes coupled with better ergonomics makes it worthwhile.

For a great breakdown of how these two bikes compare over a 2,000 mile ride, check out this review from Motorcycle.com.

Building Your Perfect Tuareg 660

Though this bike comes standard with many incredible features, there are plenty more that you can add to it to improve your ride. From heated grips (an additional $269.95 from Aprilia) to an upgraded Indaco Tagelmust color scheme, your bike can be as eye-catching and custom as you want it to be.

For the true adventure rider, you don't want to miss this Hepco & Becker Tank Guard. Taking the bike on a longer highway ride? The Tuareg's power delivery will make for a smooth and comfortable experience - but don't forget the Cutout Side Carrier Kit (also from Hepco & Becker) for carrying all your most crucial belongings.

Whether you go for acid gold or martian red (two other aptly named color options), the Tuareg 660 looks as good in the garage as it does at highway speeds. From first and second gear all the way to peak power, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 is worth more than just a test ride. And once you've got it, be sure to stop by Moto Machines to get the Aprilia Tuareg 660 accessories you need.