APRILIA TUAREG 660 (2022 - on) Review

rides really well over all surfaces - rough tracks or twisty tarmac - rides / handles better than it has any right to on twisty mountain roads and also handles some pretty gnarly off road with ease - way more capable than I am , recommend a proper 50 / 50 tyre to get the most out of it on trails ( AX41 seem to retain road grip well and allow some pretty silly off road escapades) brakes are good - easily as much as you need - not eye popping like a desert X but also no issue with them whatsoever - good feel , decent bite. ( front and rear)

engine pulls hard and is smooth, torquey and really responsive, a real peach - sounds great from exhaust and from airbox induction. ( airbox is nice and high and easy to aces compared to many ADV bikes - height keeps it out of the dust or water ) the ride modes ( changeable on the fly with just one button press are really good - and you can also adjust traction control on the fly, and even turn it fully off ( which it also remembers if you turn the bike off and on again - all previous settings are retained - absolute genius)

minor teething issues ( starter motor connection needed tightening as that gave an intermittent starting fault) but was a very very easy fix aside from that very impressed with the quality of the components - not as impeccable as Ducati quality parts / finish but half the price and function is where its at for this bike less so prettyness / surface feel . 100% reliable - starts on the button every time ( aside from that starter motor nut) runs impeccably, pulls well and sounds great - hence it is the default bike to choose from the garage of 5 . .

low fuel cost, service costs are not high, - it just works brilliantly. .. and at a great price compared to the competition - its a no brainer for me.

cruise is amazing - how I lived without it before I don't know. . . . works really well. ride modes and customisation is brilliant - one button change on fly - and the ability to adjust / turn off TCS also as you are riding is excellent tubeless rims - look great and work brilliantly - haven't punt any dents in them even after 2 TET trips to N Spain - love them, - AX41 tyres work really well ( although wear down quickly) on both tarmac and offroad - recommend these tyres highly seat is really comfy and loads of room to move about - and nice and narrow at front so reaching the floor isn't a struggle when coming to a standstill (5 feet 10) LED lights are superb also and get you noticed on the road TFT screen is great / configurable and really easy to read and interact with.

Lovely ride quality. The suspension is ace and it just leaps from bend to bend in a boisterous but elegant manner. I ride backroads quite hard and it amazes me how it skips over ragged road surfaces and remains totally controlled - great balance. Same off-road, just seams to absorbe bumps and ruts that I’m expecting a hit off. All adjustable and only needed half a click here and there from std. Mainly to satisfy my delicate ego and need to feel like I’d tuned it ;-) The std. settings are excellent. Worth noting there’s a typo in the owners handbook with regard to the front pre-load - setting goes from fully out, not in (Google it) Brakes are good on road and great off - rear brake is lovely and very controlled with real stopping power. Seat is narrow, which makes it feel extra nimble, but it’s no sofa. I bought the Aprilia comfort seat, which is much better for me. Still as narrow but with softer padding - I still need a break after a couple of hours tho. Fitted an adjustable spoiler to the screen. MRA I think - very good addition and can ride all speeds with visor open and no buffeting. I did fit the Aprilia touring screen over winter, which does keep the weather off you, but looks a bit like something from a 1980’s C90. Went back to std. for summer. Spoiler works on both.

Pokey with good torque and revs very freely. I leave the TC off and I prefer it - really allows the engine to be itself. It’s got lovely low down power but, if you let it rev it just picks up, and has that lovely, rare feeling, where it harmonises with the great chassis, and feels like it’s gliding just an inch above the road. I came from a line of big twins before this bike and had got used to using the torque, in the lower rev range, to pull me out of corners and accelerate. The Tuareg will do this, but doesn’t feel as powerful. Where it excels and aces the big twins is its willingness to rev and the smoothness and excitable power delivery when you get it around 6k and above - it wants to be there and you don’t feel like you’re asking too much of it, unlike the heftier lumps.Throttle control is the best I’ve had on an injection bike, full stop.

Had an issue that was annoying but the bike was still running great. Fixed under warranty and all good. 6000 miles and never let me down. Been off road a bit and it’s all held together really well, just like new.

Still having service done, as in warranty.

Has lots of electronic stuff, which all works. Nice that it’s very customisable and easy to turn off. Stays off too, no dicking about with settings when you jump on - just get going!

Suspension is good, even off-road

Great sound, great feel at 6-9k rpm.

No issues after 4k miles.

60mpg all day long

Cruise is missing on all the Tuareg’s rivals. It’s so good to have it. Switch rider modes on the go is pretty cool too.

this 660 is a little jewel. run a high compression ration of 13.5:1 , so pretty spirited and efficient.

not thirsty.

the tank cap is ridiculous... they went for a "retro" cap... ffs Aprilia... next iteration pls implement a modern solution...

Easy to manage, push around and has a sorted chassis and good suspension. Brakes are very good front 2 x 300mm Brembo's usually work pretty good and they do bite when required. Had pillion on the back more times than solo riding to date and had no complaints in regards comfort or space [top box has pad fitted] so all good. Pirelli STR's seem to work well on road, not been in thick mud yet but they will not work as well, but then these are mostly road bias to be fair.

Smooth, torquey for its size and has that wonderful induction noise when you pin it. redline comes in around 9250 and the light flashes [ adjustable] around 9.5k rpm and you take her up to the next one. Spools up quickly not quite KTM LC8 quick but fast enough for spirited [in moderation] rides. Fuelling seems spot on even right down at 30mph with around 2000 rpm in 4th riding through village where its quiet enough

Watched every YT video prior to purchase and seems one or two gripes globally but I have experienced none, albeit only 1000 miles into ownership. fitted a front fender extender to stop crud getting up into exhaust headers and fitted Givi SR rack so pillion [by the way decent for pillion so it seems..] has some grab rails [which are integral in SR rack] and M7 plate for top box which seems to work all good, even a higher speeds. Good solid feel to most things, gearbox [no QS fitted as yet] seems ok, not as slick as previous KTM 1190 Adv but no issues

As bought demonstrator with 760 miles and 1st service done will see what next service at 6,000 miles [its not a major just oil and filters etc]. Fuel use seems pretty good and as its a smaller tank [18L] than 23 litres of last bike seems cheap to run especially as you could get the KTM1190 down towards 40MPG on spirited rides...Seems to be settling early Mid-50's on an official 58.8

Has good electronics, TFT clear display, great suspension, cruise control, on the fly 4 modes and on the fly changes to Individual and off road [explore and urban have fixed pre-sets] for traction, engine brake, engine response. Brembo's as mentioned are brilliant and LED lighting including DRL seems bright and decent beam throw/pattern

Feels nimble and agile. Massive braking capabilities

What a marvel of engineering. 660cc churning out 80 hp. The v4 they cut in half is incredible and I think the parallel twin is really good. I speak from 45 years of riding motorcycles from a triumph Tiger cub to a 21 reg Kawasaki h2 and everything in between.

The quality is good. I don't believe you can buy a bad bike in this day and age. Not had it long enough to comment on reliability but aprillia don't have too many problems from what I can tell. Aprillia give you a two year warranty and the option of another two years for £300 so they clearly support their products

A lighter bike with a smaller engine and no real less power has to be the way to go. A lot of bike for ten grand. I doubt the dealer services will cost much even though I carry out my own services in between. This new taureg and Africa twin insured fully comp for £230. Usually £40 for oil and filter on most bikes but you all know that. The givi aluminium luggage and racks cost £600. Centre stand is extra.

The electronics package is top notch. Typical aprillia. Givi aluminium luggage completes the package for long trips with minimal fuel costs