Aprilia RS 660: ROAD TEST of the Limited Edition [PHOTO and VIDEO]

He dominated the MotoAmerica, triumphing in his first participation in the Twins Cup of the famous USA championship. L'Aprilia RS 660, the medium-sized car from Noale celebrates this extraordinary success with one Limited Edition of only 1.500 examples.
A success confirmed by the quality of the Italian project, created to conquer the European and non-European sales markets, proposing a return to the taste of sporty driving on the road.
In the rest of the world, medium displacements arouse particular interest and Aprilia has been able to point in the right direction, presenting a category A motorcycle with Superbike electronics. L'Aprilia RS 660 comes with the complete package APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) and in the limited version it offers new standard equipment: single-seat cover, oversized screen, Stars&Stripes graphics, limited numbered series and integrated software for reverse gear shifting. Before getting on the bikeAprilia RS 660 Limited Edition, let's find out a little more closely.

APRILIA DESIGN, MADE IN ITALY DESIGN

La house in Noale it also managed to create a design masterpiece for the RS 660. The livery dedicated to the limited series further emphasizes the lines and details that characterize the fairings. There Limited Edition in our opinion it is the most beautiful RS 660 never made. The graphics are strictly derived from the race version brought Vallelunga directly from the sample of Twins Cup, on the occasion of the last stage of Aprilia RS 660 Trophy. We remind you that the RS660 achieved 10 victories out of 13 races held in MotoAmerica.

As anticipated, there are several standard accessories added compared to the "normal" version but if we focus on the aesthetics, there are three elements that particularly strike us: The triple LED front light cluster, equipped with perimeter DRL lights positioned on the contour of the two main headlights, with direction indicators integrated into the DRL profiles. The nose of the Aprilia is the emblem of sportsmanship. The tank with a sporty cut also incorporates both the torso and the legs very well. And then there's the tail, with the solo seat looking Racing that calls out to the world RS.

PREMIUM MATERIALS AND LIGHT WEIGHT FOR A TOP CHASSIS

The frame and swingarm are both made of die-cast aluminium. The engine is load-bearing It is the attachment of the double beam frame which is bolted near the steering head. Steering head that is inclined by 24,1°, one of Noale's characteristics of creating a front end that is solid, safe and gives a good feeling straight away. There fork with upside down stems of 41 mm is one Kayaba and is adjustable in spring preload and rebound. None of the suspension is adjustable for compression. The braking system consists of 320 mm diameter steel discs, four-piston radial-mount calipers and a radial master cylinder on the handlebars. Brembo.

The monobloc swingarm, like the frame, is pivoted directly into the engine. The Kayaba mono shock absorber it is adjustable and allows excellent progression even without the interposition of a lever. All solutions aimed at saving weight. The rear braking system is made of a 220 mm diameter steel disc and brake caliper Brembo with 2 pistons. All brake lines are metal braided. The aluminum alloy rims are equipped with tyres Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II. The lithium battery also helps keep the weight down.

ENGINE: 100 HP TO REDEFINE THE CONCEPT OF SPORTS DRIVING

The engine is the twin cylinder parallel to the road since 659 cc to be precise and derives from the front bank of the V4 of 1100 cc. The design is completely new but absorbs all the know-how of the V4. To obtain the performance and typical sound of V-twins, a timing with connecting rod pins arranged at 270° was chosen. Asymmetrical and staggered combustion thus generate the typical irregular explosions. The power output is 100 HP at 10.500 rpm, and the limiter reaches the 11.500 rpm threshold. An excellent extension for a twin-cylinder. The maximum torque is 67 Nm, ready at 8.500 rpm, but it is already 80% ready at 4.000 rpm, becoming 90% when reaching 6.250 rpm.

The twin-cylinder has horizontal dimensions and is extremely compact. All this has allowed us to optimally configure the arrangement of fundamental parts such as intake and exhaust. Thanks to the long collectors, the exhaust is positioned low, in a single piece, with asymmetrical split exit. A solution that distributes the masses better and lowers the center of gravity. There clutch multi-disc in oil bath with mechanical control has a system slipper.

SUPERBIKE ELECTRONICS

THEAprilia RS 660 boasts the complete package of electronic controls APRC. The six-axis inertial platform which, through accelerometers and gyroscopes, is able to recognize the condition of the motorbike in relation to the road. The control unit receives all the information from the platform and processes it and allows you to act on various parameters and functions: Aprilia Traction Control, Aprilia Wheelie Control, Aprilia Cruise Control, Aprilia Quick Shift, Aprilia Engine Brake, Aprilia Engine Map, multi-map Cornering ABS.

I Riding Modes there are five available; three for the road and two for the circuit. There are two customizable maps, one for the road (Individual) and one for the track (Time attack). Everything is configurable through the buttons on the handlebars and the information / settings are clearly visible from the color TFT digital instrumentation.

There is also the Aprilia MIA system which allows you to connect your own smartphone with the instrumentation, to use the various functions such as: voice assistant, phone calls, music, navigation, recording the routes taken, etc, etc.

THE PROOF: IT'S THE TRUE ROAD SPORTS CAR THAT IS FUN AND NOT TIRED

What's better than waiting for the weekend and going for a nice motorbike ride? Especially if there's a flaming car waiting for us in the garage Aprilia RS 660? Well, the conditions are all there: we know that it is light, it has components and solutions from a "bigger" motorbike and the engine has more than balanced power. Flying verb, manent scripta you could say... and in this case there is no proverb that is more true. What is written in the press kit corresponds to pure reality. The Aprilia RS 660 it met all the conditions. Over 100 km of curves were done in one go for a total of tests that exceeded 600 km. The Noale media kept us entertained all weekend and above all without ever getting tired.

The riding position is optimal, the saddle-footpeg-handlebar triangulation is good. For the height of approximately 173 cm (of the tester) but also for taller people, the raised semi-handlebars allow you to have a higher torso and to be able to lower yourself when necessary, returning to the "larger" fairing, without any problem. The saddle has very comfortable padding, ideal on the road, a little soft if used on the track.

The chassis is superb, light, agile and allows you to bring out the best from the centaur. Yes why between his legs, he seems to dance between one curve and another. The changes in direction are fast, rapid but not extreme. There RS 660 accompanies you, never puts you in difficulty, does not grab the rope suddenly but manages to follow all the movements. You have full control but it is a bike that makes you discover your limits but with grace. She can make you overcome them if you want, but she doesn't expect more, on the contrary, she is the one who warns you and takes you back at the right time. Electronics cuddles you, takes you by the hand and the engine output, with excellent progression, suggests that it can do much more.

Riding the Aprilia RS 660 you feel free to drive sportily on the road but you are in a total comfort zone that makes you appreciate the journey much more than arriving stuck on bends or accelerating hard on exits. This bike redefines the concept of road sportiness that perhaps had been a little lost in recent years. For us, this is the Aprilia RS 660.

The front brake compartment works very well, it has been stressed several times during long mountain descents and has never lost its bite. Function too Cornering ABS, it allowed us to get pinched to the rope without any problems, when we pushed a little more.

The map often used was the Dynamic which has the ideal setting to fully exploit the APRC package on the road. It's not intrusive, the ABS works well too, perhaps the rear brake is a little spongy.

The twin-cylinder is balanced There are few vibrations and those that exist are more than justified, they are felt a little on the footpegs. The engine, on the other hand, has excellent progression, already from low revs it is full-bodied. Even if you have high gears and are at 2.000 rpm, it climbs quickly. The acceleration doesn't seem like a twin-cylinder, above the 9000 rpm threshold it pushes really hard and if you aren't quick to change gears you are often at the limiter (11.500 rpm).

Il electronic gearbox both up and down it works wonderfully, it's not the most sophisticated but it's more than "right", provided that when you increase the gears you have to accelerate and vice versa when you have to downshift. If you change the leverage point, you automatically switch to reverse shifting. To be used especially on the track. The clutch lever is used very little except when starting but in any case it is soft.

The combination of suspension and tires is exemplary. In some places the route was somewhat bumpy but it did not jeopardize the excellent work carried out by the entire sector. The stability in corners and the mastery you have of the bike makes you understand that you can reach notable lean angles, perhaps which you can try on the track in complete safety.

Consumption was also satisfactory. Most of the driving was of a cheerful nature and the average consumption was above 24 km/l.

Features of the limited series

– Single-seat tail cover, which eliminates the passenger seat, enhancing the sleek design of the rear
– Larger screen for better protection of the rider from the air, both on the road and on the circuit
– Stars & Stripes graphics
– Software that allows you to set the quick shift gearbox in reverse configuration
– Shield positioned on the tank with the numbering and indicates the limited edition of 1500 copies.

The price to take home Limited Edition it is €11.999 which if we just think about the Superbike electronics applied and the limited edition, we believe it is a more than competitive price.

[review pros=”A beautiful road sports car. Agile, direct, powerful enough and with amazing electronics” cons=”The high beam control can be activated inadvertently. Aesthetically, the terminal is compact but not very aggressive to the eye"]

Aprilia RS 660 Limited Edition – Technical Data Sheet

Motor: Front-facing parallel twin, 4-stroke, liquid cooled with radiator and water-oil heat exchanger, dual overhead camshaft distribution (DOHC). Four valves per cylinder
Displacement: 659 cc
Electronic gearbox: Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) up and down
Maximum power: 73,5 kW (100 HP) 10.500 rpm
Maximum torque: 67,0 Nm at 8.500 rpm
Declared consumption: 4,9 litres/100 km
Power supply: Petrol and Airbox with front air intake. Ride-by-wire management
Gear Ratio: 17/43
6-axis inertial platform: APRC which includes ATC (traction control, AWC (wheelie control), AEB (engine braking) AEM (engine maps), ACC (cruise control)
Riding mode: 5 (Road and Track, 3 fixed and 2 customizable)
Fork: Kayaba 41mm upside down legs with counterspring. Adjustable in rebound and spring preload.
Swingarm: in aluminum with asymmetrical trusses.
Monoshock:  Kayaba with counterspring adjustable in: extension and spring preload.
Front brakes: Double disc diameter 320 mm Brembo calipers with radial fixing and 4 pistons. Radial master cylinder and metal braided brake hose
Rear brake: Disc diameter 220 mm; Brembo caliper. Pump with separate tank and metal braid hose
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 1370 mm; Length: 1995mm; Width: 745mm; Saddle height: 820 mm
Steering head inclination: 24,1°
Weight: 183 kg in running order (169 kg dry)