Aprilia Tuareg 660 On and Off Road Test Ride and First Impressions
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- Опубликовано: 8 май 2022
- The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is an adventure motorcycle that I've been wanting to swing a leg over ever since it was first announced. This 660cc Italian beauty fits squarely into the mid-size adventure motorcycle category also occupied by my Yamaha Tenere 700 and Huqsvarna Norden 901. I had the chance to take the Aprilia Tuareg off road at the Get On ADV Fest in California and I came away very impressed.
The Tuareg 660 off road handling is very impressive. It feels stable and planted even in very loose sand, and I felt immediately confident pushing it and putting it through its paces. Off road on the Aprilia Tuareg 660 is a dream, and it reminded me of a cross between my Yamaha Tenere 700 and Husqvarna Norden 901. It's got everything I love about those bikes and almost nothing I don't.
On the highway, the Aprilia Tuareg really flies. It's fast, playful, stable at high speeds, comfortable, and very easy to ride. I could see doing a multi-day, multi-surface ride on this adv bike and being very comfortable.
I came away very impressed with the Aprilia Tuareg 660 after riding it both on and off road. It's a solid machine that's easy and fun to ride. The only question marks in my mind are reliability and parts availablity, but only time will tell in those areas.
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"Runs over cardboard well, so that's fun." 😂😂😂😂 Just bought my Tuareg. Good to see others praising it. Seems like the ticket. Can't wait to take it on trips.
You in the AZ Rim country area?
Aprilias (especially under Piaggio) are very reliable. I put 37000 miles on my 2015 Caponord 1200 Travel, taking it one long trips, way off-road (not just tame fire roads) and it was virtually trouble free. The Honda of Italian motorcycles.
I will roll 5,000 miles on my Taureg this week. I’ve had zero reliability issues. It doesn’t drink or burn oil. I’ve got 3 dealers near me but I’m in the East Coast. there are lots of aftermarket parts already available and many others coming out. It’s been a great bike so far.
Haha I thought it was gonna be from our test ride. That probably needs to be its own video. I took the best thumbnail ever for that. Dork, the aprilia, not necessarily on two wheels. It’s golden 😂
Yeah I felt like that one needed it's own video for sure. Can you send me a high res version of that thumbnail pic you took?
@@DorkintheRoad texted it to you
This bike is easy to change the TC on the fly using the Cruise Control butrons. Up more TC, down less TC. You have 4 steps from three to Zero. Zero is no traction control. You cando this on the fly in all Maps.
An other good characteristic of this electrónics is that the ecu remenbers your setrings on power on after power off the bike. More electrónics means more time to learn how to obtoain the best performnace of each option.
Hey I was there with you guys I helped set up before everybody came it was nice meeting you guys and I love the Aprilia 660 it felt like it handled better than my Africa twin or xr650
Im glad your reviewing this bike I’m intrigued.
So envious you got to put one of these through it's paces. Super cool bike.
Great assessment of the Aprilia - looks like a peppy bike & a ton of fun, they did a great job on it - yes, reliability, we will have to wait a few years to find out. You have a great job :)
Will they take my Norden with a failed shock as a straight over trade? I was forced to take the bike home with the broken shock, and told there is no ETA for a fix. Wow, great!
Wow dude. That sucks. Sorry to hear it
Sorry to hear that! I was one to ask on your channel to keep it long term to test reliability. I guess the question was answered quickly. Hope you get it remedied soon. The 660 looks like a GREAT bike! My only concern as Ben mentioned would be reliability also. Why can't Yamaha make something like this? Be well...
Can the shock be repaired? I would think a local suspension shop could tackle that - assuming Husqvarna would pay for it. I would think a better option than having it sit in the garage :(
Wait, it was broken when you got it from the dealership?
Never thought my Husky501FE would compare as solid and reliable in regards to Norden shock failures. That Aprilia is amazing...and I may reconsider buying one instead of chasing the newer KTM 1290 SAR. Great Review...Dork it Up!
Having owned and ridden a Royal Enfield Himalayan for the past 10 months then jumping on a Tuareg last week for a test ride all I can say is wow! Would I get rid of the Himalayan probably not. It has a place for sure. Would I add the Tuareg to my garage ........ Yep. best of both worlds.
This is at the top of my "next bike" list now 🏍️💨
It is a pretty sweet bike.
The sound was intoxicating!!
It seems to be the closest unicorn out right now.
Low weight, good power and all the electronics and safety features. - Frank
I'm not so sure about that. The KTM 890 Adventure R has more power and weighs less, can't count that one out.
@@shainrisley2856 it does not weigh less, just a little more..
@@ozadv ktm should be around 435lbs and 103hp and the aprilia 80hp and 449lbs. That's from google searches though. Either way the weights are close just not the hp.
@@shainrisley2856 KTM is heavier fully wet, not by much however. The Aprilia lacks the lean angle sensitive traction control and ABS. Im currently in the market for a bike in this category. Cant really decide between the Aprilia and the KTM. Although the KTM dealer offers a bit more for my old bike, there is a hefty 3,2k € difference in price. Hard to justify when they are that close in performance.
All the noise is mostly intake noise. I have both a T7 and a Taureg 660. I prefer the Tuareg. It’s a better performing bike.
Just got one, a ridiculous amount of heat coming off right side. Needs more exhaust shields. People are not going to like that aspect.
I had a 06 Tuono and had NO reliability issues.. Plenty of outlets for parts. Would by an Aprilia any day of the week!!!
Very good first ride. Fantastic covering out of some of the basic stuff without being techy. Can't wait to see the rest.
Techy is for sure not my thing ;)
@@DorkintheRoad as long as you use words like lighter than blah blah bike or stronger than a blah blah bike people will go look for the numbers. So much better than just telling me what something weighs without the butt dyno.
Way to maximize your trip. Great coverge, great content.
It sounds amazing for stock exhaust. Definitely a bike I would consider buying.
i'm looking for something that performs a little better over cardboard.
I like it. Seems to be a solid motorcycle and very T7 like.
I have a 2003 Aprilia Caponord - their attempt at an adventure-touring rig that has since become another street-only unit. The '03 has the entertaining and reliable Austrian Rotax v-twin teamed with a smooth 6-speed tranny, neutral riding posture, modest wind/weather protection, hard panniers. It's a bit much off-road at 500+ pounds which is why I keep in on solid surfaces (just don't have the skill yet to risk more sketchy tracks). As for reliability, seems to not be an issue with mine. Dealer availability is limited, although Sacramento has more than one. The 660 Tuareg looks like a sweet bike.
Those "Rotax" drive trains were/are brilliant !
I’ve had an Aprilla since 2011. Never had an issue…reliability it very good.
The 660's have been around a year or so in the US. They were racing the 660 in MOTOAMERICA road racing last year. They had some over heating issues but all seems good this year. These bikes are always running at or near the front of the twins cup races.
Man, nice I'll take one to go !
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Brill to see you having a good play on the new Aprilia Tuareg 660, I absolutely love mine.
Weird you felt it had less throttle response in offroad mode, it has max agression in that mode and reduced in the road modes! :-)
The TC is very aggressive, but also works very well, you need to go into the Individual mode to fully turn it off and tailor the other electronics, then it will kick the back end out no problem. It is a shame there is not a less aggressive setting for the offroad mode though.
Am looking forward to your Moto Guzzi V85 thoughts.
I think the dealer coverage is a bit better here in the UK, plus nothing is that far away on a small island! Great video as always, the bike seems great, but I for me it is not a very pretty bike, but who cares if it goes well!
Thanks for the impressions on these beautiful machines!
The only cars and SUV for this household are Italian, and it's great to know the option is available for motorcycles as well! If the bikes are anything like the cars, the build quality and driving dynamics are unmatched.
Seems like a bike that would fit in well with its Italian cousins.
@@DorkintheRoad it seems the 'character' shines through! Quite jealous!
Affairs with a pair of gorgeous Italians, and then you go home to a Tenere and Norden... You lucky dog!
This bike looks amazing. I'll wait until the second model year, tho.
Looks like an Italian t7 with more electronics I’m loving it might trade the klr for one hmmm
Sounds like a great bike, but dealers can be few and far between in many areas. There's one 10 miles from where I live, but these are bikes you take distances. They need to step up their dealer network. Aprilia is owned by the Piaggio Group. They make a lot of scooters.
IIRC, Aprilia used to make a supermoto that was pretty slick and their sport bike and Tuono are great bikes.
And thank god it runs over cardboard well. If it didn't, that would be a total deal breaker for me! ;)
450lbs "super light weight" :)
Glad you and Ian could get some time on this bike. Thanks for posting!
It sure seems like a sweet spot machine but yeah the closest dealer to me is 2.5 hours away.
Compared to a 600lb GS, it is pretty light
My 2009 F800GS is about 450lbs. Before all the crash bars, skid plate and pelican bags anyway. And I'm sure its suspension doesn't compare at all to the Aprilia cuz my F8s suspension pretty much sucks.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Wow, they really let you ride them, that’s cool. Not some you guy saying you can only do this.
Your closed course looks amazingly like my old stomping ground in the Imperial Valley. Almost like you were riding 80 on the 8.
Only thing I would change is the front indicator out riggers, I can see the indicator lamp snapping off the mount so easily.
Looks like a nice bike !… but reliability of Aprilia’s was so bad a few years ago. I hope they’ve improved it!!! I wouldn’t buy an Aprilia, until reading some long term review that would confirm a significant improvement.
In regret not riding one of those when I had the chance. Interstate the Taureg has "Africa Twin" and "Norden" color way.
You need some me luv from them with a long term demo unit.
A 3 way shoot out with the T7 and H901
You nailed it on points of concern; otherwise looks to be a well-designed middleweight. I have also heard some complaints on engine heat but not sure if that is bad enough to be a deal breaker.
I got the bike last week it’s not deal breaker but it does make heat
Aprilia did have a reputation for not so good build quality here in Europe but that was years ago. They realised this and changed things so now seem to be built to a higher standard, long term tests have them as good as most other bikes now. They are only a relatively small factory so availability could be the worst problem.
In my avatar, I’m riding Aprilia TXR 312. My favorite trials bike. It wasn’t mine. It has very strong bike.
Great review. I've been trying to figure out which bike to swap my vstrom 650abs for. Being an old timer 69. I dont want to work on my bike, basic maintenance is fine, just ride. Seattle is 3 hours away. But reliability id of great concern.
What's wrong with the vstrom other than the ground clearance?
Thank you.Looks a great bike but as with you the questions are about the support system?Cheers.
Unless Honda comes out with something magical (rumors of the old NX badge being resurrected) in a mid-weight, this is probably what I'll upgrade with next year once I outgrow the KLR.
People keep asking about the reliability. I've owned a Tuono 660 for a year now and its been rock solid. I want to buy this bike. I wonder if the will make a Factory version like the Tuono the following year.
I want one
So... It's like Yeah, love to try one out but.. Like most people, the dealers are like 1-4 hours away and we still need the time to see what's going to happen in the next year with these and get more owner reports. If all the hype is continuing next year I think it's not going to be even available unless you get in line.
Just wondering. If you had to guess. What % would you add to the cost of a new bike out the door for a ball park total price? I like the Aprilia. Sounds so good. Hope your surgery went well.
Ben, I’m sure you have told us in some earlier video, but allow me to ask again. How tall are you? Helps in evaluating your comments on ergonomics. Thanks.
I have owned 4 aprilia's. None have had major issues. Certainly not soul less like bikes from japan.
I have owned 4 Aprilias too. No reliability issues with None of them. Also owned 35 other motorcycles along my Life.
Usually Aprilia poor reliability its claimed by people that never had got one.
same thought as with BRM's video. the vertical 'folds' in the windshield/screen is a bit annoying. At least from my monitor. Don't know if it's noticeable at all while riding (your eyes are obviously higher than the camera POV)
I own a Norden (standard model) and am considering switching to the Tuareg or Norden Expedition because of the suspension. I use the bike to commute on weekdays and go off-roading on weekends.
How is the acceleration on-road compared to the Norden? I’m assuming the Norden is quicker/zippier but can the Tuareg keep up? In your opinion, how do the Norden’s electronics (i.e., riding modes, traction control, etc.) compare to the Tuareg’s?
Cool bike, obviously a spiced up Tenere clone.
Looks good, but i don't know enough about Aprilia to trust it. Oh I'm glad you covered it. Always curious about how well different bikes can handle cardboard 😏 Now if Ian doesn't mention getting to ride with YOU then the boycott is on! 😄
Review video coming on the Guzzi?
On Wednesday
I will trust the aprilia more than the norden,that is nothing else than a ktm! The t7 is probably better long term,but so basic,and all the weight up top!
Been looking at it. Thinking it would be more of a competition for the T7 then the Norden. It seems to have the same kind of character and basis.
The Norden has a different kind of character and basis. That one wouldn't mind killing you if you pull the throttle to hard. The T7 makes you work a bit more, but it keeps you down to earth and reasonable. That way it kind of keeps you safer. The Aprilia has the same vibe.
Of course it's a 900 vs 660. That's why this is the sweet spot. The Ape handles better out of the box, easier to ride, more narrow nimble feeling, has just as good if not better electronics, better mileage and better all around weight and power plant. Been on these like stink on shyte.. no mentions of mechanical's as of yet. The Norden... not so much. Norden shines on the road with extra weight and power.
can the reliability be any worse than a KTM? LMAO
As a past owner of a 2015 Aprillia Dorsoduro 750, I had zero reliability issues. At the time of ownership it was my only mode of transportation and it never let me down. I put over 10,000 miles on that bike in less than 8 months. I wish the dealership support was better in the US, but it wouldn't keep me from owning another Aprillia. I've always wanted a KTM 690, but the lack of reliability as kept me from buying one.
I was so in love with the concept and I'm a big fan of Aprillia. Unfortunately the design change of the front end is atrocious. I can't spend money on a motorcycle I find fugly. Whoever decided to put that ugly headlight on it should be fired. Looks like Yamaha is the only manufacture making adventure bikes that look like DAKAR racers.
Pretty sure what you call exhaust is actually the sound of intake sucking in air into the engine . Good first ride impression video otherwise!
It's pretty but I'm happy with my T7 thanks to all the exact reasons you mentioned. Ian on the other hand has certainly been drinking aprilia koolaide - lol.
that Ian guy is just weird
cruise control is the only koolaid I need over the t7. sold my multistrada for that reason.
The only problem is the only dealer is in Seattle and 16k out the door
Ouch. 16k. Dang. I live in Olympia. I've got a Husqvarna 701 Enduro I'm thinking of selling and getting a tiger 800.
@@areess6209 buy it in spokane..or eastern wa you will save 700 to 1000 in taxes
Must have some options on there, I'm looking at a quote from the same dealer at $14,8
@@jconli1 15678 to be exact
@@gabrielkopp2036 ahh, must be blue. Still, 890s/Nordens/ATs/Tigers would be ~$17,5 OTD... DesertX pushing $19k... local tax aside, the value proposition is still pretty strong.
I would seriously give Aprilia and Moto Guzzi a hard look at purchasing their bikes but I'm not finding much in dealers or availability in the Midwest. Frustrated Iowa rider.
All the noise is mostly intake noise. I have both a T7 and a Taureg 660. I prefer the Tuareg. It’s a better performing bike.
and better components compared to the T7