100hp, 169kg Aprilia RS 660 sportsbike reveals its finer details ahead of launch

Full details and specifications for the much anticipated new Aprilia RS 660 sportsbike have been revealed ahead of its official global launch this weekend as the Italian marque launches the first model from its new middleweight platform.

Revealed in concept form at EICMA in 2018, followed by the production version a year later in 2019, the Aprilia RS 660 will finally fall into our hands this weekend as we gear up to find out whether the fresh twin-cylinder has what it takes to carve a little niche out for itself in the sportsbike market.

Aprilia RS 660 - All you need to know about the all-new sportsbike

Borrowing styling cues from the established RSV4 1100 at the top of the range, the RS 660 updates the signature look with a triple LED headlight assembly, daytime running lights and flanked by a double fairing with integrated aerodynamic features to both trim weight and drag.

Indeed, by boasting 100hp @ 10,500rpm but only tipping the scales at 169kg (dry) the RS 660 punches above its weight with its forward-facing parallel twin, four-stroke engine, plus 67Nm torque @ 8,500rpm. The RS 660 can also be adjusted down to meet A2 licence compliance.

While you’ll need to wait a little longer to find out how it performs on the open road when we take to the roads of Noale, Aprilia confirms traction, wheelie and cruise control and a total of five riding modes -  three for the road and also two more specific to track day usage.

Commute (everyday riding), Dynamic (sports riding) and Individual (customised settings) are designed for common use, with Challenge (on-track racing sessions) and Time Attack (settings experienced riders to tweak for optimum performance) are aimed purely at the purist racer.

With ‘lightness’ and ‘compactness’ terms being sprinkled liberally across the press pack, it’s clear the Aprilia RS 660 is a honed race bike for the road and nestles neatly between the RS 125 and RSV4 for featherweight B-road thrills. 

Aprilia says the decision to “take advantage of the V4 technology guarantees top-class performance, while taking into consideration the high piston stroke speeds relative to its displacement size”.

The Aprilia RS 660 is well kitted out too with class-leading electronics designed to amplify the fun while keeping you sunny side up, including a six-axis inertial platform, which uses data from the rider to adjust the characteristics of the bike. 

It allows for necessities, like the licence plate holder and wing mirrors, to be removed when taking the RS 660 out on a track day. 

The launch has also allowed the unveiling of a new Acid Gold, to go with the Lava Red and Apex Black that were presented during last year’s world premiere.

The Aprilia RS is the first model to be launched on the all-new 659cc platform, which is set to also spawn a Tuono naked variant, a Tuareg adventurer and an RS Trofeo honed sportsbike for proper track day use.

Prices are due to begin at £10,149 with order books opening imminently.

Aprilia RS 660 - Technical sheet

Engine type - Aprilia forward-facing parallel twin, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled with radiator and water-oil heat exchanger, double overhead camshaft (DOHC) with silent chain drive on the right side, four valves per cylinder.

Bore and stroke - 81 x 63.93 mm

Displacement  -659 cc

Compression ratio - 13.5: 1

Max power at crankshaft -100 hp (73.5 kW) at 10,500 rpm

Max torque at crankshaft - 67.0 Nm (6.83 kgm) at 8,500 rpm Fuel system Airbox with front air intake. 2 ∅48 mm throttle bodies, Ride-By-Wire management

Electronic management - 6-axis inertial platform, APRC suite which includes ATC (traction control, AWC (wheelie control), AEB (engine brake), AEM (engine map), ACC (cruise control)

5 Riding modes - (Road and Track, 3 fixed and 2 customizable)

Frame  -Double beam aluminium frame with detachable rear seat

Front suspension - Kayaba upside down fork ∅ 41 mm with counter spring, aluminium feet for fixing radial calipers. Adjustable for rebound, compression and spring preload. Wheel travel 120mm

Rear suspension  -Aluminium swingarm with asymmetrical trusses. Monoshock with adjustable counter spring: rebound and spring preload. Wheel travel: 130mm

Front brake - Double disc diameter 320mm Brembo radial calipers with 4 ∅ 32mm opposing pistons. Radial pump and metal braided brake hose

Rear brake - 220mm diameter disc; Brembo calliper with 2 isolated ∅ 34mm pistons. Pump with integrated tank and metal braided hose, ABS Cornering multimap

Wheels - In aluminium alloy Front: 3.5 "X17" Rear: 5.5 "X17"

Tyres - Tubeless radials, front: 120/70 ZR 17 rear: 180/55 ZR 17 (alternatively 180/60 ZR17)

Dimensions - Wheelbase: 1370 mm Length: 1995 mm Width: 745 mm Saddle height: 820 mm Rake: 24.1° Trail: 104.6 mm

Weight  -183 kg kerb weight (169 kg dry)

Homologation - Euro 5 Consumption 4.9 litres / 100km

CO2 emissions -  116 g /km

Tank capacity - 15 litres (including 4 lt. fuel reserve)

Colour range - Apex Black, Lava Red, Acid Gold