Originally: Aprilia Tuono 660 – Thunder
Anyone who has had the opportunity to ride any Aprilio Tuono can feel how radical this stripped-down bike is, regardless of the model year. And the latest version, equipped with a 1100-cylinder V-shaped engine with a volume of XNUMX cc. See, no different. Thunder is typical of this type of motorcycle from the factory in the small town of Noale between Padua and Venice.
After the presented the RS 660 concept two years ago in Milan made it clear that they would also be making a mid-range Tuon. with a 660 cc inline-two-cylinder engine. cm, developed together with the sporty RS 660 model. The geometry, engine settings and seating position on the motorcycle have been adapted to the Tuon for everyday use and heavy traffic, while the sporty Aprilia RS 660 is more homely. at high speeds on fast winding roads or even on a race track.
The winding, hilly roads around Rome offered me a lot of challenges and fun in mid-February when I sat one of the first in the world in an elite group of journalists in the brand new Aprilio Tuono 660.
The safest in its class
The cold, sometimes even polished and dusty asphalt did not give Tuon any problems, although this is not exactly the best conditions for the start of the motorcycle season. The electronic security systems work flawlessly. Ahead, my confidence was constantly reinforced by the CABS (Cornering ABS) system, which prevents the bike from slipping even under hard braking when the bike is already on a slope. It's part of the accessory, and all earlier than usual on mid-range motorcycles. Commendable!
Rear wheel grip is controlled by the standard ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) system., which prevents slippage during acceleration. The safety is actually at an enviably high level and allows the use of even larger and more expensive motorcycles with an engine capacity of 1000 cc. See Anyway, among the middle class of unarmored bikes, better equipped competitors are hard to find.
At the heart of safety is a six-axis inertial platform that sends data in milliseconds to a computer that processes and controls everything according to driving conditions and driving style. This is not the end of the list of protective gear. Adjustment of the engine brake and front wheel lift is also possible. Because the Tuono likes to climb the rear wheel above 4.000 rpm and then again at 10.000 rpm., this electronic gadget is not so unobtrusive. Well, you can turn it off like me and just enjoy the acceleration after the rear wheel and have fun.
The design of the engine is also responsible for making the Tuono so nervous out of a corner. Up to 80 percent of the torque is available up to 4.000 rpm. due to ignition delay between the two cylinders at an angle of 270 degrees. Hence the deep and decisive sound emanating from the low exhaust pipe below the engine. The position of the exhaust pipe, of course, affects the center of gravity and therefore good handling when cornering.
Electronic systems are also very easy to use, which is certainly important for a good user experience. Nothing helps if you have a bunch of equipment that you don't know how to use because it's too complex. So there are no problems with this, the driver controls everything with the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. The Tuono 660 comes standard with three engine programs: Comute for daily commuting, Dynamic for sporty road driving and Individual.
With the latter, I was able to completely adjust all safety parameters, and also eliminate any electronic transmission, with the exception of the ABS system, which, of course, cannot be shifted due to legislation. Since this is a motorcycle that is also very suitable for sports riding, it has been provided with two additional work programs for the racetrack, which are slightly more difficult to operate and cannot be used while riding for safety reasons.
But that's not the end of the safety candy. In addition to the large TFT color screen that connects to your smartphone (as standard), you get a quickshifter for an additional € 200, which for me personally is the first and therefore really necessary addition to this bike. This overtaking assistant gave me a lot of joy at the wheel. It works great in all engine operating modes, and when throttle is open, it delivers fantastic sound when shifting gears.
Despite the volume of 659 cubic centimeters, it growls, boldly and clearly tells me which bike I'm riding. When this car is equipped with a sports exhaust like Akrapovič, the soundstage will be perfect. The name Tuono (in Italian for thunder) is quite justified with such a sound. I have a good feeling that a Tuono like this will perform very well on the racetrack, especially as a great bike for a motorcyclist who is just getting started on the racetrack, because it is so reliable and undemanding to use, but at the same time. powerful enough to drive adrenaline through your veins.
Frisky, powerful, strong
The Tuono 660 did not disappoint with the trip. The power of the two-cylinder engine can easily match an even more powerful engine. Interestingly, they used the superior V4 engine that powers the larger Tuon V4 1100 and RSV4 to drive this bike. Simply put, you imagine how to remove a pair of rear cylinders from a four-cylinder V-design and get a half-displacement and in-line two-cylinder engine. The power and torque curve is continuous and increases well, which I immediately felt while driving.
Considering that it weighs just 185 kilograms, which is the lowest in this category, and that the engine is capable of developing a sharp 95 "horses", the result on the road is impressive.. The weight-to-power ratio is the best among unarmored mid-range motorcycles. The Tuono 660 is a gleaming bike, very light and undemanding in the hands. It holds the direction perfectly in the turn and even with a sporty ride, it calmly and precisely follows the given line. The aluminum frame, along with a sturdy swingarm modeled after superbike race bikes, does the job perfectly.
The fully adjustable rear shock mounts directly to the swingarm, which even saves weight. Underneath the 41mm front telescopic sport forks, they were signed in KYB and were fully adjustable. Excellent brakes were provided by Brembo, namely the radially clamped calipers and a pair of 320mm diameter grab discs.
However, while riding it is not only a light and high-spirited motorcycle, but also surprisingly comfortable. Although Aprilia claims that the Tuono is not naked, but something completely independent, I still class it in this category of unarmored motorcycles. Since it has a pointed aerodynamic beak at the front with integrated LED headlights, it cuts air efficiently as well. Up to a speed of 130 kilometers per hour, the trip is completely tireless. It was only when he was traveling faster, say 150 kilometers per hour or more, that I had to lean a little and correct the aerodynamic posture behind the flat and wide handlebars, which allows very good control of the motorcycle while riding. Since he sits upright on it, I didn't feel tired even after a whole day.
For your height (180 centimeters), you only need to raise the seat slightly and thus allow less knee flexion. The seat is comfortable enough for one, but I would not recommend any really long trips for a rear passenger. It is also important to note that due to the rounded shape of the seat at the edges, even those with shorter legs will have no problem getting to the floor.
Come to think of it, the Tuono 660 is also very suitable for beginner motorcyclists. The Comute program is gentle on the addition of gas, and at the same time, with all the technological superiority and standard installed safety systems, it is very safe for those who are just starting their motorcycle career. It is also available for the A2 exam.
Thanks to the high quality workmanship, perfectly visible parts and rich equipment, this, in my subjective opinion, is one of the most beautiful motorcycles of this year. So it doesn't surprise me that Aprilia charges a decent bunch of euros for the Tuono 660. The basic version costs exactly 10.990 euros. With accessories, you can also personalize it and adapt it to your wishes and needs. Whether it's a set of side (soft) travel cases or carbon fiber accessories and the Akrapovic sports system for sharper racing images and louder sound.
