Is Aprilia about to release a 660 adventure motorcycle?
Visordown was at the EICMA Motorcycle show in Milan and witnessed a glimpse of the new Aprilia Tuareg adventure motorbike.
Nestled within a Perspex cuboid box - underneath some serious fake foliage - on the mahoosive Aprilia stand at EICMA, was what appeared to be a 660 middleweight adventure machine. Well, we think…
How do we know it’s a middleweight adventure bike? Firstly, the fake plants wrapped around it [sorry to state the obvious]; secondly the name Tuareg, which is a term for North African nomadic people; and thirdly a 21” knobbly front wheel.
Pretty clear cut then, but how do we know the 660cc capacity? Honestly, we’re not certain, but it makes sense to base a new machine on something which is already completed e.g. the RS660. And with the 660 Tuono concept well underway, an adventure capable middleweight would be the cherry on top to the range.
In modern times, Aprilia isn’t known for being an off-road specialist, and they’re coming up against some stiff competition from the likes of KTM with their 790 Adventure and Yamaha with their much loved Tenere 700. If the reborn Tuareg is to be released in 2021 with a detuned 660 engine pushing out around 90bhp, this should allow it to compete with the fierce competition.
With no official confirmation from the Italian firm, we are speculating about much of the above. However, based on what we have seen, we’re pretty sure that a steel trellis frame, spoked wheeled, middleweight adventure motorbike will be rolling out of the Aprilia factory in the near future.
What do you think is underneath all the foliage? Is it a 660 or something completely different?
