Aprilia Tuareg 660: For years, the mid-sized adventure motorcycle market in the United States was dominated by a single, unyielding philosophy: heavy, touring-focused highway cruisers dressed up in off-road bodywork. Riders who wanted true, aggressive dirt-bike performance paired with highway-capable manners were forced to heavily modify dual-sports or compromise on massive, 550-pound touring machines. Enter the Aprilia Tuareg 660.
Developed from the ground up to challenge the status quo, the Tuareg combines an incredibly lightweight frame with a high-revving, Italian-tuned parallel-twin motor. It doesn’t just look like a desert rally racer; it represents a serious mechanical tool built to conquer technical single-tracks, sandy trails, and cross-country interstates.
In this comprehensive BikeWikh long-term review, we break down its real-world fuel economy (MPG), off-road handling agility, electronics package, and long-distance road comfort to see if it earns the crown as the ultimate middleweight ADV in America.
Aprilia Tuareg 660: Technical Specifications Snapshot
Understanding the lightweight architecture explains why this ADV handles technical trails so effortlessly.
- Engine Displacement: 659cc Liquid-Cooled, Parallel-Twin, DOHC
- Peak Power Output: 80 Horsepower @ 9,250 RPM
- Peak Torque: 51.6 lb-ft (70 Nm) @ 6,500 RPM
- Wet Curb Weight: 449 lbs (204 kg) with 90% fuel
- Seat Height: 33.8 Inches (860 mm)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 4.75 US Gallons (18 Liters)
Engine Performance: The Mid-Sized Masterpiece
The heart of the Tuareg is Aprilia’s 659cc parallel-twin engine, re-tuned specifically for adventure duty. While it shares its core architecture with the sporty RS 660, Aprilia heavily revised the camshaft profiles and intake tracks to push maximum torque low down in the rev range.
Off-Road Low-End Traction
When scrambling up rocky hill climbs or navigating muddy ruts, you don’t want a peaky engine that requires high revs to stay alive. The Tuareg delivers its torque incredibly low down, providing tractor-like traction.
The Ride-by-Wire throttle system features a dedicated Off-Road Mode that smooths out initial throttle response, preventing rear-tire spin over loose gravel while completely disabling rear-wheel ABS for controlled dirt braking slides.
Highway High-Speed Cruising
Don’t let its dirt manners fool you; with 80 horsepower on tap, the Tuareg 660 easily stretches its legs on wide-open US interstates. It maintains a smooth 75–80 mph cruising speed with minimal vibration filtering through the handlebars, leaving plenty of power reserve for high-speed overtaking maneuvers.
Real-World Fuel Economy & Touring Range Metrics
Long-distance adventure exploration requires highly efficient fuel management when traveling through remote backcountry routes.
- Technical Off-Road / Trail Riding: Constant low-gear work and throttle blips yield roughly 40 to 42 MPG.
- Steady Highway Commuting: Cruising in 6th gear at a steady 65 mph rewards you with an excellent average of 50 to 53 MPG.
- Total Cruising Range: Packed with a 4.75-gallon fuel tank, the Tuareg 660 delivers a reliable, real-world highway range of 210 to 240 miles before requiring a gas station top-up.
Suspension and Off-Road Handling Dynamics
This is where the Aprilia completely outperforms its heavier Japanese and European competitors.
The Tuareg 660 rides on fully adjustable Kayaba suspension featuring a massive 9.5 inches of travel at both front and rear ends. Paired with a featherweight 449-pound wet curb weight, the bike glides over severe trail bumps, logs, and jumps without bottoming out.
Its exceptionally slim fuel tank design allows the rider to stand up naturally on the footpegs, locking their knees tightly against the bodywork for absolute control. It feels remarkably light and flickable, mirroring the behavior of a dedicated 450cc dual-sport rather than a multi-cylinder adventure machine.
Aprilia Tuareg 660: BikeWikh Adventure Scorecard
| Evaluation Metric | Real-World Performance Behavior | Score (Out of 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Road Agility | Ultra-light chassis, rally-style narrow frame profile | Â (5/5) |
| Suspension Quality | 9.5-inch long-travel Kayaba components swallow trail thuds | Â (5/5) |
| Electronics Suite | Sophisticated APRC engine mapping, switchable ABS modules | Â (5/5) |
| Wind Protection | Stock windshield is slightly narrow, causing high-speed buffeting | Â (4/5) |
| Seat Comfort | Firm, flat dirt-style seat gets stiff past 150 miles | Â (3/5) |
The Cons: What Premium Buyers Must Know
To maintain absolute editorial honesty on BikeWikh, here are the minor compromises to expect from this Italian ADV:
- Tall Seat Height Obstacle: Boasting a 33.8-inch factory seat height, this motorcycle is unashamedly tall. While it offers excellent ground clearance, shorter riders under 5’8″ will find it challenging to comfortably flat-foot both boots at traffic stops.
- Dealer Network Footprint: Unlike major domestic or Japanese brands, Aprilia’s premium dealer and service network across rural parts of the United States is relatively sparse. Sourcing specialized internal mechanical parts during remote cross-country road trips can take longer.
The Verdict: The New Mid-Sized ADV Benchmark?
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 represents a true engineering triumph for hardcore dual-sport and adventure enthusiasts. It bridges the gap between highway long-haul comfort and genuine, hard-enduro off-road capability cleaner than almost any other mid-sized twin on the market.
- Buy it if: You want a premium, high-tech ADV bike with class-leading suspension, incredible electronic rider aids, and a ultra-lightweight frame that thrives on technical dirt trails.
- Skip it if: You plan on doing 95% highway touring with a heavy passenger and massive hard luggage cases, where a larger, road-biased 900cc+ touring platform offers superior wind protection and saddle space.
