The Aprilia RS 660. Midweight sport bike for riders between daily commute and track

The Aprilia RS 660 leans on its side stand in the pit lane, hot metal ticking softly after a session, its twin exhaust still smelling faintly of fuel and warm rubber. A test rider hands engineer Romano Albesiano the key with a quick nod.

Midweight concept between street and track

With the RS 660, Aprilia positions a 659 cc parallel twin sport bike deliberately between everyday usability and track ambitions. The engine delivers about 100 hp at 10,500 rpm and 67 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm, according to Aprilia. The bike weighs a claimed 183 kg wet in Euro 5 trim, depending on version and equipment.

Aprilia builds the RS 660 around an aluminum twin-spar frame with the engine as a stressed member, aiming for agility and stability at higher speeds. A relatively upright, not extreme, riding position is intended to keep longer road rides tolerable while still supporting hanging off in fast corners. Manufacturer RS 660 page

Electronics package and riding aids

Aprilia equips the RS 660 with a six-axis IMU that feeds several riding aids: multi-level traction control, wheelie control, engine brake management, and adjustable engine mapping. Cornering ABS is standard, supporting hard braking with the bike leaned over.

Ride-by-wire throttle and five selectable riding modes (three for road, two for track) allow riders to adapt response and interventions to conditions. A quickshifter with auto-blipper is available, enabling clutchless up- and downshifts once the rider is above a certain rpm. Cycle World RS 660 review

Chassis, brakes and ergonomics

The RS 660 uses a Kayaba (KYB) 41 mm upside-down fork with adjustable rebound and preload, paired with an aluminum swingarm and a rear shock with similar adjustability depending on version. Brembo radial-mount 4-piston front calipers bite on dual 320 mm discs, while a single disc sits at the rear.

On the road, testers describe the seat as firm but not punishing, with the clip-on handlebars placed higher than on Aprilia’s full supersport RSV4 models. Wind protection from the fairing and screen helps at highway speeds, though taller riders still feel airflow on shoulders and helmet. MCN RS 660 test

Euro 5 engine and sound character

The 659 cc parallel twin shares design roots with half of Aprilia’s RSV4 V4 engine, but it is not simply a cut-down unit; Aprilia engineers designed specific crankshaft, head and intake for this platform. The engine meets Euro 5 emissions standards and uses a 270-degree firing order.

This firing order gives the RS 660 a V-twin-like exhaust note, which riders often describe as throaty without being excessively loud in stock trim. On a cold morning start, the idle has a slightly uneven pulse that smooths out as the temperature climbs. Fuel consumption in mixed use is typically reported around 5 to 6 liters per 100 km.

Model variants and equipment options

Aprilia offers the RS 660 in several liveries, including color schemes such as Lava Red, Acid Gold and Tribute liveries linked to racing history, depending on market and model year. Equipment variations can include an up-spec version with additional accessories or different graphics in some markets.

Optional equipment includes a solo seat cowl, different screens, and accessories aimed at track riding such as frame sliders or lever guards, sold through Aprilia’s accessory catalog. Some markets also offer an A2-license-compatible version with power limited to meet local regulations.

Production, markets and positioning in Piaggio portfolio

Piaggio builds Aprilia RS 660 models at its plants in Italy, with the bike targeted at Europe, North America and other regions where midweight sport bikes have a following. The model sits above Aprilia’s 125 cc entry bikes and below the RSV4 superbike range.

For the Piaggio Group, CEO Michele Colaninno has underlined the importance of performance and technology within the group portfolio in recent statements, highlighting Aprilia’s racing heritage as a differentiator against rivals in the sport segment. The RS 660 line contributes to revenue in the motorcycle subsegment alongside Moto Guzzi and other brands.

Context for investors and stock

From an investor angle, the RS 660 represents a product in a niche between accessible performance and high-end superbikes, aiming at riders who will use the bike both on the road and for occasional track days. Its role is to support Aprilia brand visibility and pricing power more than pure volume.

On Xetra, Piaggio & C. SpA stock trades in euros under the German ISIN DE000PIAG239.