@@onthebackwheel We ride naked bikes set preload day 1 of ownership then recheck after 1,000 k’s plus always fine tuning compression & rebound record click settings in a service note book for reference. I see all these over weight reviews complain about suspension on new bikes and do nothing to address that. Don’t get me going on them not doing lever hand & foot adjustments on test bikes it’s like some mystery stuff they know nothing about PMSL.
@@DukeOfTwist it's a mystery sometimes 😂. I set everything to stock the day I get it and do a hit out. I start tweaking it from there, much as you say but generally don't have as long
1) MADtv should hire you. 2) Your channel has become one of my favorites. 3) I was planning on getting a Gen 3, but with all the rave reviews of the Tuareg, I just might have to save up a bit.
Your a great rider! I have this same bike (same color) and in this terrain with the bikes you were riding with I would have taken my beta 500rr-s. You showed a lot of the true capability of this bike, I cant wait to see your full review down the road. Great Job!!!
I would have liked to hear a little bit more about how it compares to the t7. The author of the video says pretty plainly that he believes the tuareg is better but he doesn't explain why. The availability of dealers and parts for the Japanese bike is a big appeal for me.
Have a look at my playlist on the bike, I go into further detail and also do a q&a directly answering this. Short version, much better handling/balance and suspension
I class this as a hard ride, best review at the hard end of it all IMHO, good job! you could make a niche out of it like Ian did dropping every bike he tested on it's side. Amazing how well it scrubbed up after the thrashing too, I expected more scratches and carnage tbh. That phone mount certainly hung on as well, better than poo to a Salvation Army blanket! my phone (riding a super tenere, no where near as hard) detached and shot up my nose under much less duress...
Well, you certainly show how hard this bike can be ridden off-road. I'd wager that is far harder than 90% of ADV riders would dare to attempt. For real-world ADV riding, Dave and Clubby at MADTV and Ian at Big Rock Moto give us mere mortals the goods on what has become a target rich middle weight segment.
Its very capable, loved it. I'm trying to differentiate myself a little from those guys by doing the hard ADV stuff. I'm going to do a proper off-road video like this for every ADV test bike but my reviews are definitely more of a mix. Ian does a good job, seen a few of his videos now
Fantastic ride and test! I have ridden 9 rallyes on KTM EXC 500 and have always felt a bit sorry for those on big bikes... but you had great fun with this almost 'street" bike (by the looks) riding at pace in tight stuff. Makes me really consider such a bike rather than a 701 for longer offroad and mixed tours. Kudos to you! And yes, no music is perfect! Great bike sound.
Definitely looks like the sort of terrain where a motor cross bike would be better suited. I’m really surprised where you where able to ride the AT 660. Amazing footage and riding.
This is my first time watching your videos, for sure I hit subscribe! Very impressive riding, handling a heavy bike so well in that difficult terrain. Well done! I just bought one of these yesterday, get to take it home in a day or two. I have been on a KLR for the last 6 years, and it is set up about as well as a KLR can be, including suspension. I just felt like I was wanting more at times than the KLR wanted to give and this seems like a natural next step for me as just a mediocre older rider but wanting a little more. Now I just need to put in time and work on skills
One of the Very Best Test ride reviews ever. You actually ride the motorcycle as you really would , well your still being careful but you did better than any of the others because your Honest and so was your ride with your friends. Keep up the excellent work ! 👍🏍
@@11breaper68 I dont know what it is bought that guy, but I stopped watching him. He even rides in my old stomping grounds, i recognize every trail. He just irks me, LOL. And I agree, T7 or KLR depending on how u ride. I wouldnt spend money on the Aprillia or Duc or a KTM for that matter
best offroad review of this bike for sure! great riding and actually showing the bikes capabilities Ordered a new one in the dakar podium colors, can't wait!
Great video mate. Been considering one of these as my next bike and your video is one of the best out there for giving an insight into how capable the bike is and where it fits in with the other bikes in this catagory. Great riding as well... thanks
What a fantastic day to be riding. We left Yandina on the Sunshine Coast this morning and rode to the Mapleton Forest, Imbil, Amamoor, Brooyar, Gallangowen, Kandanga and back to Yandina. An awesome 320km loop.
You have one of the best RUclips channels with your testing of the bikes. You, MADTV, and a select few others actually give the bikes a workout. That goes way back to your KLX300 review here in the States. The T-6.6 looks like a great bike for all around goodness, you’ve demo’ed that brilliantly. I traded the big boy 1290 SA-R for a 2022, 890 Adventure base model last week. Took it up to Gordo, by Big Sur yesterday, then on some one lane roads out of Cambria. I haven’t had this much fun on a bike since my early years on enduros. It fits me. Knock on wood, I hope reliability isn’t too big of an issue. The Pan Am made me gun shy of all this electronic wizardry… or buffoonery, whichever way a person wants to look at it.
Cool test and nice trails. Wish I had that in my backyard to ride on 😄 Front unfortunately has the shimplate issue on presumably all bikes. It get's even better when it's fixed. I have a video about it.
Great riding skills! Good honest review, thankyou. I have a KLR, it's been to Birdsville, Ayers Rock, Winton, Longreach, never let me down, it's the bomb.
I love your riding ability, and I could never go that fast without crashing, although I am good on a mountain bike!! This macine is top drawer, I am compiling a list of costs as we speak, between a Desert X, Toureg, and Tenere 700. Thank you so very much for this amazing video of an amazing rider on an amazing bike! Simply Amazing....all right eough now!!!
I’m a old & slow DR650 Rider starting to consider the Toureg but your video put a knot in my stomach! When you were climbing through the fallen trees passing between tree limbs you could barely fit through all on wet grass & mud.. SCREW THAT! Just call me a helicopter rescue! Then those muddy water crossings with huge rut channels on a 450lb buffalo? I’m not certain I could have kept up with you guys on my DR650. Thank You for showing the rest of us what the Toureg can actually do!
Great video. Really showed how amazing the bike is. Got family in the Gold Coast / Brisbane area so after watching your videos I’m looking forward to riding around there on my next visit from USA. Slangevar Craig
Curtis great ride mate, to put that big bike through the tracks of GHM ,,100% on you 👏 👍 Goodbye T700 hello Aprilia ❤ and i don't care if it's Italian it's that GOOD 😁🤙
@@onthebackwheel Quick question, why did you buy the Suzuki over the 660? Sorry if you’ve already answered before. On the fence about buying, in the market for a new bike here in the USA. Thanks!
@@chriscleland7008 I did answer it in a video but no worries mate. I bought the Suzuki because I thought it would be good for the channel and I've also already reviewed the Tuareg. The Tuareg is the best ADV bike atm
@@onthebackwheel Great answer, I really appreciate your being so straightforward on that! Kind of like Old Man Speed that bought the Pan Am, got it! Love his channel BTW, fantastic guy.
@@onthebackwheel Sounds amazing. Only place I’ve been is Puckapunyal, north of Melbourne. Bunch of bush around there. That riding looks amazing. Keep up the great work and loving the videos.👍
I have just watched for the second time , i reckon this is your best blog also the best review of this bike Time to sell my crf 300l and get one of these
On the basis of this video, I reckon the Tuareg is more than capable of the type of riding most owners will be doing. If it tours as well as it can handle some tough single track it should be a big seller....just have to hope Aprilia have sorted the reliability.
Been looking at this bike for a while but it seems like there are a lot of people having issues, oil/water leaks, electrical issues and the fuel sensor looks to be a common fault? It’s a shame as I’d love to get one but if there is one thing I’m looking for in my next bike it’s reliability 👍
Excellent video! Waivering between a new KTM690 (on which I once did 5,000KM in 5 days) and a mid-size adventure bike I already know ANY bike in the mid-size category has far more "comfort" than I could ever appreciate. Your video did a great job highlighting the off road capabilities of this bike - Thank you! 2 random questions for you I wouldn't even attempt to ask a "typical" reviewer: 1.) I know the KTM 690 is far more capable off-road. But being smaller and lighter it also would be more affected by adding lots of weight. On that same course you were just riding, which do you think would be more capable off-road with 60lbs of gear AND a 140lb passenger? (A couple years back I was doing "rescues" between Afghanistan and TJ going out with 60lbs of gear and coming back with the addition of a passenger in places no 4 wheel land cruiser could go, so it's not just a completely random question.) 2.) Noticed a Malaysia flag on your sleeve - ever ridden there?
Thanks mate. Now to answer your questions....the 690 will still more capable off road than the 660 in your scenario, though I definitely wouldn't want to ride it like that. On more road focused rides, definitely the 660. And now I haven't ridden in Malaysia, would love to. I've only been there to watch the motogp and loved it
I have a 790 adv S but it seems that the tuareg is better on several aspects. The only advantage of the KTM is weight distribution, far lower with tank than the tuareg. For the difference in price, you can buy an AXP bash plate (french !) and a full exhaust ligne from Dominator for exemple, and you have probably the best adventure bike !!! and I love this color. I am seriously thinking replacing my 790 for this one... the only drawback is the height, it seems very tall !
Great review and hats off to your offroad skills on a big bike! Aprilia has been working on this project for over 10 years (back in 2010 it was supposed to be a 750cc), but man, they did their homeworks - it's a fanstastic bike. Unfortunately price in Australia is a bit at the upper end of the scale compared to other countries, especially if you conside that an extra $2K AUD will get you a Ducati Desert X
I put the Desert X in a slightly different category than the Tuareg and t7. It's about 20kgs heavier and comes against the tiger 900 rally pro. I liked the 750 Aprilias, sweet engine but a bit heavy
I think it'll be my next bike. My practice is much more soft than yours ! And the bike seams very easy to handle. Thanks for this great review and ride safe ! Hi from France ! ✌️😉👍👍👍
good review Curtis! Im in the moment of deciding between KTM 790; Tenere T7; Aprilia Tuareg 660. They all have the same price in my region - is there a no brainer if the prices are the same?
Cheers mate. If they are all the same you can cancel out the Tenere. Over the 660 and Adventure R I'd lean towards the Tuareg. If the 890 is the same that complicates things!
Tuareg for sure. Better suspension, more fun on the road and a fair bit better off it. The V-Strom is really good value though, especially if you do a bit more road riding and easier dirt
Haha, allt of laughs and fun in this video. Now we are talking testride. Love the trail you are riding. Seems like a great ADV bike, I friend got one and seems happy with it. What baseplate did you opt for?
It was a blast, loved it. This is Aprilias bike so unfortunately I have to give it back, so won't be getting a bash plate for it. I did look and there are some good ones out there though
Not sure if they are available where you live, but try to get the SW Motech Bash Plate for the Tuareg. I just installed one on my Tuareg a few weeks ago and it is solid as a rock.
Where do you draw the line between an adventure bike and an enduro bike ? Whilst you are riding it (well !) like an enduro is this its real role in the two wheel world ?
This is definitely an adventure bike. Once you get over 140 kg I think your enduro rights are revoked. It is good to see what something is capable of though
Great review. What were the temps while you were riding? Did you not an unusual amount of engine heat being thrown onto your legs as other reviewers have experienced? Thanks for a great job!
Cheers. It was hot as hell that day, mid 30's from memory. I didn't notice any bad heat from the bike. The cat is right there and does generate a little heat but nothing bad imo
Great review and you are certainly a very good rider. I saw you brought the revs quite high at that technical uphill. How is the torque at low RPM? Merry Christmas and have a good one!
It's got a very flat torque curve, hard to fault. I did find I stalled it a couple of times down low in the tight stuff so I was compensating with higher revs. I'll do a couple of more off road rides to get a better feel for it
Thanks for the test as most are a few dirt tracks an roads. Do you think 2 clicks on suspension would be better or, leave as is??? Have you found any problems with the air induction, or ( lag)??? I didn’t see any. What leg length are you as I’m 5”8’ an around 115-9kgs. I’ve got a 28” inseam. Tried the T7 an way too tall for me, hence thinkin of the Twigg as us Poms call it. Great show, keep um commin.
I think it is pointless to announce dry weight. Honda never does it and everybody says their bikes are heavy. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, fork fluids, and fuel. Centerstand, luggage racks, bigger windscreen. Then add proper bashplate etc. Moto Guzzi V85 TT is 229kg wet. This Aprilia with same amount of fuel weights EXACTLY 229kg. Light? Heavy? I weight 100kg, so I would start to save weight there first, then maybe think, if the bike is heavy or not. For example, Tenere T700 is almost impossible to raise up, when it falls. Much, much harder than 1250GS, which weights 280kg wet. Why, because that Tenere is so out of balance bike. It has its weight high. Very high. I think Tenere 700 has the highest center point of gravity, on any bike there is. Many have sold it just because it is so freakishly hard to pull up. There were even a mention in one group review, where one of the six riders was strong enough to lift that bike up. All six riders got 1250GS up easily -says something. Ps. Moto Guzzi V85 TT has proper 6 gallon fuel tank. It adds 10kg weight to it alone. But on the other hand, it is air-cooled, so without radiator(s), hoses and coolant it has proper sturdy chassis/frame compared to almost any other motorcycles in the segment. Uh...it has the strongest frame, now when thinking harder.
@@JasonMoon111 The Aprilia 660 is 150lbs lighter than my GS too, with a frame that can support 460lbs excluding the tank so no complaints there in real terms, overall its concept was to blend offroad with adventure design being no easy task which appears was a success. Its apparently very comfortable for long hauls (with custom seat) & provides a light weight perception of a trail bike off road which pricks my curiosity. It has 1'' more travel & 1'' lower seat than the Tenere & a reasonable range of over 200 miles with 4.8-gallon tank and 50mpg average.
god that bike is beautiful Id like to know how tall the rider is., i just got into motorcycles and im seeing that seat heigh is one of my bigger limitations however i like how the tuareg is just a bit lower than the tenere and a bit lighter, was thinking it would be a nice bike after a few years of experience on the drz...i'm not gonna push it nearly as hard as he does since il be riding alone most of the time
You are an Exception rider. Incredible speed on such a heavy non enduro bike. What do you think in comparison to a ktm 790/890? In terms of solid feeling, ability to track straight and not get diverted or knocked off line? Thoughts would be very welcome. Thanks
Thanks. It tracks straight, very impressed with the handling. I think it pips the 790, 890... initial thoughts are it's on par but would really need to ride them back to back
I am about to get either the T7 world raid or the tuareg 600. I cant decide mostly because i haven't ridden them for a long period. Just tryied them for a short time. I feel more comfortable with tuareg. Do you think the T7 world raid is more capable overall?
Honestly, I haven't tried the world raid. I do like all the updates they've done except the big tanks. I've got no interest in them so I'd probably lean towards the Aprilia still
Finally a guy that really rides a bike and gives a good review off road.
👊
“Ride it like you stole it springs to mind” not many owners will test the bike like this good vid shows what it is capable of.
Thanks mate. I just ride it like I'd ride my own bike, minus the proper stupid stuff!
Of all the Tuareg 660 videos I've seen, this one gives the best sense of the bike to the viewer - by far.
Well done, very nice riding too!
Thanks mate. Really enjoyed this bike
Finally, the only reviewer that adjust suspension during the review. well done mate.
Cheers. I changed it lots in the month I had it
@@onthebackwheel We ride naked bikes set preload day 1 of ownership then recheck after 1,000 k’s plus always fine tuning compression & rebound record click settings in a service note book for reference. I see all these over weight reviews complain about suspension on new bikes and do nothing to address that. Don’t get me going on them not doing lever hand & foot adjustments on test bikes it’s like some mystery stuff they know nothing about PMSL.
@@DukeOfTwist it's a mystery sometimes 😂. I set everything to stock the day I get it and do a hit out. I start tweaking it from there, much as you say but generally don't have as long
Great bit of riding! Probably the best demonstration of what this bike can actually do and how hard you can push it.
Cheers. Felt like I gave it a good run. Had a blast doing it too
Well said that exactly what i was about to say
I agree. Haven’t seen anyone push it that hard. Well done 🤘🏼
Great riding, great review and thanks for not having music
Cheers, need to hear that sweet twin
This is a way better advertisement for adventure bikes and riding than any video on the big bmw GS I have seen. That looked like a lot of fun.
Thanks mate. Had a ball
The best test I've seen so far of the Aprilia Tuareg
Thanks 🙏
1) MADtv should hire you.
2) Your channel has become one of my favorites.
3) I was planning on getting a Gen 3, but with all the rave reviews of the Tuareg, I just might have to save up a bit.
Cheers mate. If you've got the money, it's a MUCH better bike
Your a great rider! I have this same bike (same color) and in this terrain with the bikes you were riding with I would have taken my beta 500rr-s. You showed a lot of the true capability of this bike, I cant wait to see your full review down the road. Great Job!!!
Thanks Robert. The Tuareg is a beast!
Curtis , I think your skills took the bike places Aprilia never dreamed of when they built it. Amazing what you were able to do with it!
Cheers mate, it's a very capable bike
Now THIS is THE best off-road review of Tuareg that I happen to watch! UFB!
Great job guys 👍
Thanks mate!
Wowzers! You can really ride that big bike. Shows what this bike can do with the right rider. Great review.
Thanks mate, loved it
Enormous fun watching this :D Proof that the Tuareg is a real contender. It was a surprise to me.
Great bike
Roll it back into the dealer caked in shit - ‘thanks mate… I’ll think about it” 😂
Hahaha 🤣
I would have liked to hear a little bit more about how it compares to the t7. The author of the video says pretty plainly that he believes the tuareg is better but he doesn't explain why. The availability of dealers and parts for the Japanese bike is a big appeal for me.
Have a look at my playlist on the bike, I go into further detail and also do a q&a directly answering this. Short version, much better handling/balance and suspension
Great video of its off road prowess.You were beating the hell out of it! Best video I've seen testing it off road. You've got a new subscriber!
Thanks mate, glad you liked it!
I class this as a hard ride, best review at the hard end of it all IMHO, good job! you could make a niche out of it like Ian did dropping every bike he tested on it's side. Amazing how well it scrubbed up after the thrashing too, I expected more scratches and carnage tbh. That phone mount certainly hung on as well, better than poo to a Salvation Army blanket! my phone (riding a super tenere, no where near as hard) detached and shot up my nose under much less duress...
Haha thanks mate. And yep, I'm going to be doing this with every adventure bike I get. Shit to a Salvation Army blanket I'll remember that!
Well, you certainly show how hard this bike can be ridden off-road. I'd wager that is far harder than 90% of ADV riders would dare to attempt. For real-world ADV riding, Dave and Clubby at MADTV and Ian at Big Rock Moto give us mere mortals the goods on what has become a target rich middle weight segment.
Its very capable, loved it. I'm trying to differentiate myself a little from those guys by doing the hard ADV stuff. I'm going to do a proper off-road video like this for every ADV test bike but my reviews are definitely more of a mix. Ian does a good job, seen a few of his videos now
Thanks for the clarification. You're in a category of skilled rider like Adam Reimann and Lyndon Poskitt. Best wishes on your channel.@@onthebackwheel
@@osimnod thanks mate, I wouldn't say I'm quite in their skill category, maybe one day!
Fantastic ride and test! I have ridden 9 rallyes on KTM EXC 500 and have always felt a bit sorry for those on big bikes... but you had great fun with this almost 'street" bike (by the looks) riding at pace in tight stuff. Makes me really consider such a bike rather than a 701 for longer offroad and mixed tours. Kudos to you! And yes, no music is perfect! Great bike sound.
Cheers mate. They are bloody capable, same with the 890
I feel sorry for you on the 500! 890R rocks.
@@twowheelpilot Good for you! Riding should be fun !
Dude, thanks for a great review. Just got my Aprilia Tuareg, and just waiting on the weekend to go out and test it. Cheers from Dominican Republic!
Enjoy mate, great choice
Hola Montantico: por donde estas en RD? Saludos desde PC
Wonderful review!
You are a top rider and a great reviewer
Subbed
Love ya work
Thanks mate, much appreciated
Great review, the best off-road ride video yet. Skillfull, strong rider, challening trails. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Definitely looks like the sort of terrain where a motor cross bike would be better suited. I’m really surprised where you where able to ride the AT 660. Amazing footage and riding.
Thanks mate. Great bike
Just found your channel. Good to see new, no bs, Aussie content. Subscribed.
Thanks mate. Just tell it how it is 👊
Your a legend mate, videos getting better every time 💪💪
Thanks mate 👊
Dude, you beat the brakes of that bike!! 🙌💪 Great riding 🎉🎉
Thanks, loved it
Fantastic to see an actual hard core off road shitfight on this bike. Hard core rider mate and answered an important question for me. Thanks!
Nice mate, glad I could help out
This is my first time watching your videos, for sure I hit subscribe! Very impressive riding, handling a heavy bike so well in that difficult terrain. Well done! I just bought one of these yesterday, get to take it home in a day or two. I have been on a KLR for the last 6 years, and it is set up about as well as a KLR can be, including suspension. I just felt like I was wanting more at times than the KLR wanted to give and this seems like a natural next step for me as just a mediocre older rider but wanting a little more. Now I just need to put in time and work on skills
Thanks mate. Enjoy the Tuareg, I loved it. It is a big step up from the KLR in every way and a ton of fun
Excellent riding! Nobody takes the bikes where you do.
Thanks, had a blast
I could not paddle my XT250 round the stuff you go blasting through- big respect 👍
Thanks mate. The xt would love it!
One of the Very Best Test ride reviews ever. You actually ride the motorcycle as you really would , well your still being careful but you did better than any of the others because your Honest and so was your ride with your friends. Keep up the excellent work ! 👍🏍
Thanks mate!
Zero other reviewers show them crashing, even though they dont have the skill you do offroad. "Big Rig Down" had me LOL'n
Hehe it happens. Crash bars did a good job
Big rock moto showed his crash on it. And T7 is still king, cant bet its reliabilty 🤙
@@11breaper68 I dont know what it is bought that guy, but I stopped watching him. He even rides in my old stomping grounds, i recognize every trail. He just irks me, LOL. And I agree, T7 or KLR depending on how u ride. I wouldnt spend money on the Aprillia or Duc or a KTM for that matter
@@11breaper68 that Yamaha motor is so bloody reliable. Depends what's important to you I spose
@@11breaper68 nope!
best offroad review of this bike for sure! great riding and actually showing the bikes capabilities
Ordered a new one in the dakar podium colors, can't wait!
Thanks mate. You'll love it, great choice!
Great video mate. Been considering one of these as my next bike and your video is one of the best out there for giving an insight into how capable the bike is and where it fits in with the other bikes in this catagory. Great riding as well... thanks
Cheers mate, glad I could help
What a fantastic day to be riding.
We left Yandina on the Sunshine Coast this morning and rode to the Mapleton Forest, Imbil, Amamoor, Brooyar, Gallangowen, Kandanga and back to Yandina.
An awesome 320km loop.
Thats a hell of a loop mate, I need to explore more up that way
Amazing riding mate. Really enjoyed watching you shred those tracks. Not sure I could ride that fast on a DRZ400.
Cheers mate. It's an easy bike to ride quick
You’ve got mad riding skills. Great video. Hopefully the Tuareg 660 is my next bike and I won’t be doing anything close to this type of riding.
Cheers mate. It's top bike
You have one of the best RUclips channels with your testing of the bikes. You, MADTV, and a select few others actually give the bikes a workout. That goes way back to your KLX300 review here in the States.
The T-6.6 looks like a great bike for all around goodness, you’ve demo’ed that brilliantly.
I traded the big boy 1290 SA-R for a 2022, 890 Adventure base model last week. Took it up to Gordo, by Big Sur yesterday, then on some one lane roads out of Cambria. I haven’t had this much fun on a bike since my early years on enduros. It fits me.
Knock on wood, I hope reliability isn’t too big of an issue. The Pan Am made me gun shy of all this electronic wizardry… or buffoonery, whichever way a person wants to look at it.
Cheers mate. I don't think you can go wrong with an 890, I'd love one!
@@onthebackwheel so gave it a rain ride today. For me there is plenty of protection from the windscreen and the stock Avons they put on the 22’s.
You really thrashed that bike like very few people could. I’m impressed with your riding skills. It’s great that the bike survived all that.
It's a fantastic bike, good fun and proved rock solid even with all the riding I put it through
What a ride, man! This bike has a great off-road ability and you know how to ride it.
Cheers!
Cool test and nice trails. Wish I had that in my backyard to ride on 😄 Front unfortunately has the shimplate issue on presumably all bikes. It get's even better when it's fixed. I have a video about it.
Cheers. What's the shim plate issue?
@@onthebackwheelDamaged shim stack in front forks (from factory)
@@daveo9844 ok good to know. Was it a recall fix?
@@onthebackwheel Case by case I believe. Just about to buy one after watching you ride it 😎🍻
@@daveo9844 nice mate. I'm going to buy one eventually, just when the funds permit. Absolutely loved it
Great riding skills! Good honest review, thankyou. I have a KLR, it's been to Birdsville, Ayers Rock, Winton, Longreach, never let me down, it's the bomb.
Cheers mate. The KLR gets the job done for sure!
All the Bells and Whistles on that, center stand is an option. Nice Vid, probably the best on Tuareg I've seen, if only I could ride like you Sir.
Give me one without the centre stand and I'd be a happy man
Best video on real riding condition's...no bullshit talking and no Riding off road... thanks brother enjoy that Aprilia..
Thanks mate 👊
Best Tuareg review there is! Thank you.
Thanks mate!
What a pace you are going offroad:))) Very good video. Thank you!
Thanks mate!
Great riding man. Goes to show how underrated this bike is. U earned a sub
Cheers mate. It's a brilliant bike, keen to own one eventually
I've had twenty two different motorcycles, just bought a Tuareg... Every aspect of this motorcycle is just awesome, plus the bonus of cruise control.
KTM 390 adventure was the worst
That bad hey
Great work Curtis! Hope your channel continues to grow as you have excellent info and great on-bike footage.
Thanks Brendan!
Soooo good. Best video to date!
Thanks mate!
I love your riding ability, and I could never go that fast without crashing, although I am good on a mountain bike!! This macine is top drawer, I am compiling a list of costs as we speak, between a Desert X, Toureg, and Tenere 700.
Thank you so very much for this amazing video of an amazing rider on an amazing bike! Simply Amazing....all right eough now!!!
Thanks mate! Which one are you leaning towards?
@@onthebackwheel I think the tenere, it's a lot cheaper to buy and run!
@@sanatandharma4435 oh, depends where you are from. It is $20000 vs $22000 here, not much of a difference
Best Review i've seen yet for what i'm wanting to see. GREAT JOB!
Thanks mate. Love the bike. Looking forward to owning one eventually
I’m a old & slow DR650 Rider starting to consider the Toureg but your video put a knot in my stomach! When you were climbing through the fallen trees passing between tree limbs you could barely fit through all on wet grass & mud.. SCREW THAT! Just call me a helicopter rescue! Then those muddy water crossings with huge rut channels on a 450lb buffalo? I’m not certain I could have kept up with you guys on my DR650. Thank You for showing the rest of us what the Toureg can actually do!
No worries! It's a top bike, good fun too
Curtis, love the videos mate, please keep them coming. So if you had the choice of the Vstrom or Tuareg which one would you want to live with?
Thanks mate. Definitely the Tuareg. The 800 is a bit better for everyday road riding if you're keen on that
Great video. Really showed how amazing the bike is.
Got family in the Gold Coast / Brisbane area so after watching your videos I’m looking forward to riding around there on my next visit from USA.
Slangevar
Craig
Nice, Craig. Let me know if you come over and we'll go for a ride 👊
Awesome video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks mate 👊
I really liked watching someone that's good enough to ride a 450lbs
Bike on those trails with that much mud and water holes.
Loved it!
Curtis great ride mate, to put that big bike through the tracks of GHM ,,100% on you 👏 👍 Goodbye T700 hello Aprilia ❤ and i don't care if it's Italian it's that GOOD 😁🤙
Mate the Tuareg is the pick, they've done a great job
@@onthebackwheel Quick question, why did you buy the Suzuki over the 660? Sorry if you’ve already answered before. On the fence about buying, in the market for a new bike here in the USA. Thanks!
@@chriscleland7008 I did answer it in a video but no worries mate. I bought the Suzuki because I thought it would be good for the channel and I've also already reviewed the Tuareg. The Tuareg is the best ADV bike atm
@@onthebackwheel Great answer, I really appreciate your being so straightforward on that! Kind of like Old Man Speed that bought the Pan Am, got it! Love his channel BTW, fantastic guy.
Subscribed:)
thinking of buying one great review a lot of information witout the BS looking forward to more reviews just subscribed
Thanks mate. Mean bikes these
Been enjoying finding your channel and videos. Sorry about the back wheel in the KLR. Wondering how far are you from all these great trails?
I can be half an hour and I'm on the dirt at daguilar forest. This particular trail is 1 hour
@@onthebackwheel Sounds amazing. Only place I’ve been is Puckapunyal, north of Melbourne. Bunch of bush around there. That riding looks amazing. Keep up the great work and loving the videos.👍
@@nsanerydah cheers mate. Got some good riding around here for sure!
I have just watched for the second time , i reckon this is your best blog also the best review of this bike
Time to sell my crf 300l and get one of these
Thanks mate, had a blast on this one
On the basis of this video, I reckon the Tuareg is more than capable of the type of riding most owners will be doing. If it tours as well as it can handle some tough single track it should be a big seller....just have to hope Aprilia have sorted the reliability.
They are a good bike. Yet to hear much on their reliability, fingers crossed!
Been looking at this bike for a while but it seems like there are a lot of people having issues, oil/water leaks, electrical issues and the fuel sensor looks to be a common fault? It’s a shame as I’d love to get one but if there is one thing I’m looking for in my next bike it’s reliability 👍
Very enjoyable and honest review
Glad you liked it
Holy shit you were hauling on that thing! Pretty bloody impressive at what a modern adventure bike can do hey 🤌🏽
It's a weapon hey. Love to see how it would go without the racks, centre stand and the suspension sorted
As long as it rides, overheating issues, leaking oil, electrical problems...seen many films with these issues
Excellent video! Waivering between a new KTM690 (on which I once did 5,000KM in 5 days) and a mid-size adventure bike I already know ANY bike in the mid-size category has far more "comfort" than I could ever appreciate. Your video did a great job highlighting the off road capabilities of this bike - Thank you!
2 random questions for you I wouldn't even attempt to ask a "typical" reviewer:
1.) I know the KTM 690 is far more capable off-road. But being smaller and lighter it also would be more affected by adding lots of weight. On that same course you were just riding, which do you think would be more capable off-road with 60lbs of gear AND a 140lb passenger?
(A couple years back I was doing "rescues" between Afghanistan and TJ going out with 60lbs of gear and coming back with the addition of a passenger in places no 4 wheel land cruiser could go, so it's not just a completely random question.)
2.) Noticed a Malaysia flag on your sleeve - ever ridden there?
Thanks mate. Now to answer your questions....the 690 will still more capable off road than the 660 in your scenario, though I definitely wouldn't want to ride it like that. On more road focused rides, definitely the 660. And now I haven't ridden in Malaysia, would love to. I've only been there to watch the motogp and loved it
This need to be a standard in ADV off-road testing. Thanks!
Cheers. I'm going to do it with every ADV bike I test 😈
great video!!! thanks. What setting did you use for suspension?
I added some preload to the rear and some compression/rebound into the front. Was pretty good then
I have a 790 adv S but it seems that the tuareg is better on several aspects. The only advantage of the KTM is weight distribution, far lower with tank than the tuareg. For the difference in price, you can buy an AXP bash plate (french !) and a full exhaust ligne from Dominator for exemple, and you have probably the best adventure bike !!! and I love this color. I am seriously thinking replacing my 790 for this one... the only drawback is the height, it seems very tall !
The seat height is very manageable. Best adv bike ATM I think
Loves this video thanks😍
Glad you enjoyed it
Great review and hats off to your offroad skills on a big bike! Aprilia has been working on this project for over 10 years (back in 2010 it was supposed to be a 750cc), but man, they did their homeworks - it's a fanstastic bike. Unfortunately price in Australia is a bit at the upper end of the scale compared to other countries, especially if you conside that an extra $2K AUD will get you a Ducati Desert X
I put the Desert X in a slightly different category than the Tuareg and t7. It's about 20kgs heavier and comes against the tiger 900 rally pro. I liked the 750 Aprilias, sweet engine but a bit heavy
You mean with the v-twin 750 in the Shiver and Dorsoduro?
I think it'll be my next bike. My practice is much more soft than yours ! And the bike seams very easy to handle. Thanks for this great review and ride safe ! Hi from France ! ✌️😉👍👍👍
Thanks. It's my favourite adventure bike so far, fantastic
Great vid thanks ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Cheers!
I just can't get over the looks of this bike. Otherwise I'd be all over it.
Great review and great riding skills you have!
Thanks for making the vid!
Cheers mate. Give me one in black without the pannier racks, they look hot!
Vaya manera de conducir la moto.. felicitaciones 🤙🏻
Thanks!
good review Curtis!
Im in the moment of deciding between KTM 790; Tenere T7; Aprilia Tuareg 660.
They all have the same price in my region - is there a no brainer if the prices are the same?
Cheers mate. If they are all the same you can cancel out the Tenere. Over the 660 and Adventure R I'd lean towards the Tuareg. If the 890 is the same that complicates things!
Tuareg V De-800. value for money, long haul, in the dirt, & on road. your thoughts please....
Tuareg for sure. Better suspension, more fun on the road and a fair bit better off it. The V-Strom is really good value though, especially if you do a bit more road riding and easier dirt
Thanks for sharing and great test report.
Cheers, had a blast
Haha, allt of laughs and fun in this video. Now we are talking testride. Love the trail you are riding. Seems like a great ADV bike, I friend got one and seems happy with it. What baseplate did you opt for?
It was a blast, loved it. This is Aprilias bike so unfortunately I have to give it back, so won't be getting a bash plate for it. I did look and there are some good ones out there though
Not sure if they are available where you live, but try to get the SW Motech Bash Plate for the Tuareg.
I just installed one on my Tuareg a few weeks ago and it is solid as a rock.
Good to know mate. This was just a review bike so didn't have a chance to mod it unfortunately
Where do you draw the line between an adventure bike and an enduro bike ? Whilst you are riding it (well !) like an enduro is this its real role in the two wheel world ?
This is definitely an adventure bike. Once you get over 140 kg I think your enduro rights are revoked. It is good to see what something is capable of though
Did you put better offroad tires on the motorcycle because I was surprised where you were able to go. Great video and great skills!
Thanks mate. They put TKC80s on for me, I don't mind them off road. Really capable bike
Really enjoyed watching the video! What's the app you use on your phone for tracks?
Thanks timbo. I use Gaia
Great ride and great review. I love my Tuareg.
Cheers. Would love to own one
Dig this channel for all reviews
Cheers mate 🍻
Adventure bikes should be synonymous with superior engineering. You can hear it all through this test
Taken to the limit, beyond and back, well done Curtis.
Would it be possible for Aprilia to add a kind of low rev assist to the engine maps?
Thanks mate. Anything is possible, only Suzuki seems to do it though (and I still stall that too!)
Great review. What were the temps while you were riding? Did you not an unusual amount of engine heat being thrown onto your legs as other reviewers have experienced? Thanks for a great job!
Cheers. It was hot as hell that day, mid 30's from memory. I didn't notice any bad heat from the bike. The cat is right there and does generate a little heat but nothing bad imo
The cat is horrid in city riding 🔥
This is a good off-road review of the Tuareg. It shows how the bike reacts to different situations of riding off-road. Thank you!
No worries, glad you enjoyed it
Great review and you are certainly a very good rider. I saw you brought the revs quite high at that technical uphill. How is the torque at low RPM? Merry Christmas and have a good one!
It's got a very flat torque curve, hard to fault. I did find I stalled it a couple of times down low in the tight stuff so I was compensating with higher revs. I'll do a couple of more off road rides to get a better feel for it
Great video, great bike. But how bloody good is that trusty old DR still smashing it!!
Peter gives that DR hell!
Thanks for the test as most are a few dirt tracks an roads. Do you think 2 clicks on suspension would be better or, leave as is???
Have you found any problems with the air induction, or ( lag)???
I didn’t see any.
What leg length are you as I’m 5”8’ an around 115-9kgs.
I’ve got a 28” inseam. Tried the T7 an way too tall for me, hence thinkin of the Twigg as us Poms call it.
Great show, keep um commin.
Hey mate. 2 clicks was pretty good from memory. I'm 6 foot but this bike is suitable for guys your height, really manageable
The spec on this thing, 80hp 180 dry nice.
It's a good thing
I think it is pointless to announce dry weight. Honda never does it and everybody says their bikes are heavy. Oil, coolant, brake fluid, fork fluids, and fuel. Centerstand, luggage racks, bigger windscreen. Then add proper bashplate etc. Moto Guzzi V85 TT is 229kg wet. This Aprilia with same amount of fuel weights EXACTLY 229kg. Light? Heavy? I weight 100kg, so I would start to save weight there first, then maybe think, if the bike is heavy or not.
For example, Tenere T700 is almost impossible to raise up, when it falls. Much, much harder than 1250GS, which weights 280kg wet. Why, because that Tenere is so out of balance bike. It has its weight high. Very high. I think Tenere 700 has the highest center point of gravity, on any bike there is. Many have sold it just because it is so freakishly hard to pull up. There were even a mention in one group review, where one of the six riders was strong enough to lift that bike up. All six riders got 1250GS up easily -says something.
Ps. Moto Guzzi V85 TT has proper 6 gallon fuel tank. It adds 10kg weight to it alone. But on the other hand, it is air-cooled, so without radiator(s), hoses and coolant it has proper sturdy chassis/frame compared to almost any other motorcycles in the segment. Uh...it has the strongest frame, now when thinking harder.
@@JasonMoon111 The Aprilia 660 is 150lbs lighter than my GS too, with a frame that can support 460lbs excluding the tank so no complaints there in real terms, overall its concept was to blend offroad with adventure design being no easy task which appears was a success. Its apparently very comfortable for long hauls (with custom seat) & provides a light weight perception of a trail bike off road which pricks my curiosity. It has 1'' more travel & 1'' lower seat than the Tenere & a reasonable range of over 200 miles with 4.8-gallon tank and 50mpg average.
I have the Tuareg and watching it being trashed like this makes me feel even better about my bike
Good choice mate
Great review,thanks.
Thanks!
god that bike is beautiful
Id like to know how tall the rider is., i just got into motorcycles and im seeing that seat heigh is one of my bigger limitations however i like how the tuareg is just a bit lower than the tenere and a bit lighter, was thinking it would be a nice bike after a few years of experience on the drz...i'm not gonna push it nearly as hard as he does since il be riding alone most of the time
Hi. You're right, great bike. I'm 6ft, it is very easy to touch on though
Welp. This sealed my thoughts on buying a Tuareg 660! Throw so more off road bias tires and this thing will dominate probably anything
It's a weapon, loved it
You are an Exception rider. Incredible speed on such a heavy non enduro bike. What do you think in comparison to a ktm 790/890? In terms of solid feeling, ability to track straight and not get diverted or knocked off line? Thoughts would be very welcome. Thanks
Thanks. It tracks straight, very impressed with the handling. I think it pips the 790, 890... initial thoughts are it's on par but would really need to ride them back to back
I am about to get either the T7 world raid or the tuareg 600. I cant decide mostly because i haven't ridden them for a long period. Just tryied them for a short time. I feel more comfortable with tuareg. Do you think the T7 world raid is more capable overall?
Honestly, I haven't tried the world raid. I do like all the updates they've done except the big tanks. I've got no interest in them so I'd probably lean towards the Aprilia still