The Aprilia RS 660. Middleweight sportbike for real-world roads

Aprilia RS 660 leans on its sidestand outside a café, matte paint catching the late afternoon light while heat still shimmers from the twin pipes. A test rider from Noale, Luca Rossi, pulls off his gloves, grinning after another fast run through the nearby hills.

Parallel-twin heart of the RS 660

The Aprilia RS 660 is built around a 659 cc parallel-twin engine derived from the front bank of the RSV4’s V4, tuned for usable midrange rather than race-only top end. Power is listed at 100 hp at 10,500 rpm, with 67 Nm of torque at 8,500 rpm. This keeps the bike lively without punishing the rider.

The engine is Euro 5 compliant and uses ride-by-wire throttle to support multiple riding modes, including Commute, Dynamic and Individual, plus Track-oriented settings on some variants. A slip-and-assist clutch works with the optional up-and-down quickshifter, helping riders keep the motor in its sweet-spot band without drama. The parallel-twin layout fits tightly in the frame, leaving room for the distinctive side-mounted exhaust.

Chassis, weight and ergonomics

The RS 660 uses an aluminum frame with the engine as a stressed component, a design Aprilia says helps balance rigidity and feedback. Wet weight is quoted at around 183 kg, depending on market and equipment. On a narrow mountain road, that figure translates into easy direction changes rather than wrestling the front end in every hairpin.

Suspension comes from Kayaba with a 41 mm USD fork that offers preload and rebound adjustment, while the rear shock is also adjustable for preload and rebound. Braking is handled by dual 320 mm front discs with radial-mount Brembo calipers and a 220 mm rear disc. Cornering ABS is standard, informed by a six-axis IMU that also feeds the traction control, wheelie control and engine brake control systems.

Design and rider interface

Visually, the RS 660 stands out with layered bodywork and a distinctive front fairing that integrates aerodynamic winglets into the side panels. In bright colors, especially Lava Red or Acid Gold, the bike almost glows under petrol station strip lights. The LED lighting system includes daytime running lights and cornering lights on higher-spec trims.

The riding position is relatively relaxed for a sportbike, with clip-on bars mounted above the top yoke and moderately rearset footpegs. Aprilia positions the RS 660 as a sportbike you can realistically use on the street, not only on trackdays. Seat height is around 820 mm, which many riders find manageable, and the seat padding is firm but not punishing over a couple of hours.

Electronics package and safety

Aprilia’s APRC electronics suite on the RS 660 brings traction control, wheelie control, cruise control and adjustable engine braking, all managed from handlebar switches and a color TFT display. The six-axis IMU allows lean-sensitive intervention, so the bike can adjust support when braking mid-corner instead of cutting power harshly.

Multiple riding modes tailor throttle response and intervention levels. In Commute mode, the response is softer, which riders in urban traffic appreciate on wet cobblestones. Dynamic mode sharpens the bike for spirited riding, while Individual lets the rider customize parameters. Track modes unlock additional data, such as lap timing, for circuit use.

Variants and accessories

Beyond the standard RS 660, Aprilia offers themed editions and accessory packages, including a track pack with the quickshifter and single-seat tail, and an optional software kit that reconfigures ABS and traction settings for circuit riding. The Tuono 660 shares core architecture but trades full fairings for a more upright, naked-streetfighter design.

Accessories include dedicated soft luggage, a taller windscreen, and various billet aluminum components, aimed at riders who want to personalize the bike without compromising its core sport focus. On a test day at the circuit, product manager Marco Di Lio has been seen walking pit lane, checking how riders use these options and noting feedback for future updates.

Pricing and availability

The Aprilia RS 660 is available in major European markets, North America and selected Asian markets, with local pricing structures. In Italy, the RS 660 lists from around €11,000 including VAT, depending on color and equipment. In the US, pricing is positioned in the upper tier of the middleweight sportbike segment, reflecting the rich electronics package.

Availability can vary by colorway. Limited-edition liveries celebrating Aprilia’s racing history tend to be allocated quickly to certain dealers. Piaggio uses the RS 660 to bridge the gap between its entry-level sport offerings and the more extreme RSV4 superbike, seeking riders who want performance but still commute or tour on the same machine.

Context and Piaggio & C. SpA stock

Within Piaggio’s portfolio, the Aprilia RS 660 sits alongside scooters from Piaggio, cruisers from Moto Guzzi and other Aprilia sport models, helping the group cover diverse price points and rider profiles. For investors, the RS 660 represents a mid-capacity sport platform that can be refreshed with new colors and minor updates without full re-engineering each year.

On Xetra, Piaggio & C. SpA stock trades in euros and reflects expectations for demand across all the group’s brands, including Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Piaggio scooters, with the RS 660 contributing to the sportbike segment’s revenue mix.

en | DE000PIAG239 | PIAGGIO & C. SPA | unterhaltung | 69877812 |