Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory 2023: Precise on the road, sharp on the track [ROAD AND TRACK TEST]

Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory 2023 – Tuono is an iconic name which has identified – for more than 20 years – the supernaked from Aprilia, a motorbike with exhilarating performance, elevated to the nth degree by a chassis that needs no introduction. If it is true that this name has always been associated with the V4 which exceeds 1000 cc in displacement, Aprilia has seen fit to give a wider audience the opportunity to experience the same emotions but... on a smaller scale! It was born like this Thunder 660 Factory, the first medium-sized engine from Noale worthy of boasting this prestigious specification. At first glance, the link with its older sister is clearer than ever thanks to the front, the tail and the double fairing of the sides which wink at the Millona design. And from a dynamic point of view, there is no doubt: he wants to play big. In city traffic it proves extremely easy to handle but, as soon as you head towards a road full of curves, it becomes agile and precise. And then off to the Cremona Circuit where - on the occasion of one of the stages scheduled for the Aprilia Racers Days - the small Tuono 660 Factory awaits us without mirrors, without license plate holder and with the rims wrapped in electric blankets that keep the superlative Supercorsa SC1s warm. After a targeted set-up of the shock absorbers by the Aprilia technicians, we are finally there ready to try it on the track too.

Iconic design 

At first glance, confusing the little Tuono 660 office with the 1100 powered by the V4, it's not that difficult; as on the older sister, in fact, we find the double front fairing acting as an aerodynamic appendage which, by channeling the air between the two walls, generates a pressure that contributes to improving stability at high speeds, as well as facilitating the extraction of the hot air generated by the twin-cylinder, to the benefit of the rider. Another key point of the Tuono is the fairing fixed to the frame, for a front end free from weight, always precise and reactive; the front is compact and aggressive, with the distinctive LED light signature of the new generation of Aprilia sports bikes. Safety always comes first thanks to the inertial platform that has allowed the adoption of Bending Lights, i.e. a pair of additional headlights that illuminate the inside of the curve, increasing visibility when leaning. The baby Tuono also fascinates from the side view: the superstructures reduced to a minimum allow a glimpse of the twin-cylinder and the prestigious suspensions, as well as the beautiful 15 liter tank perfectly shaped for track driving. It is a strong point and another essential stylistic element of the Aprilia sports cars the pigtail with the two fins that overlook the M-shaped light. After 10 years, here is a reinterpretation of this element in a modern but still damn convincing way. It goes without saying that the test, both on the road and on the track, took place with the motorcycle in single-seater configuration but, upon collection at the dealership, the footrests and the "seat" for the passenger will also be delivered. The Aprilia technicians did an excellent job on the Tuono 660 Factory, also on an aesthetic level: beautiful in road configuration, it becomes a design object once the mirrors have been removed and the license plate holder, ready to face the hot asphalt of the Cremona Circuit.

Advanced solutions by Factory

If the Aprilia Tuono 660 in standard configuration is already one dynamically excellent motorbike, on the Factory version we further appreciate the interventions aimed at enhancing its dynamic qualities which make it even more effective in intensive use, on the road and - above all - on the track. AND' improved weight/power ratio thanks to decrease of 2 kg made possible by the adoption of a new lithium battery: By doing so, the curb weight is now 181 kg, to the full benefit of performance. Important innovations concern the suspension department where we now find one Kayaba fork with 41 mm stanchions at the front, fully adjustable in spring preload, rebound and compression; at the rear here is a mono Sachs with separate tank which allows adjustment of high and low speeds, as well as extension and preload. New e lighter than 240 gr compared to the standard version, they are also the platforms which use shorter bend indicators, allowing for gains +2,5° of inclination when leaning the bike.

APRC suite for top electronics

Thanks to the accelerometers and gyroscopes contained within the six-axis inertial platform, Tuono 660 Factory is able to detect and analyze an impressive amount of data collected in real time during its use and to recognize the condition of the motorbike in relation to the road travelled, intervening as best as possible on the control parameters via the dedicated control unit. The APRC suite applied to the Tuono Factory is complete, starting from the Ride-by-Wire electronic accelerator to arrive at the advanced system Multi-map cornering ABS, exclusive to the Factory 660. thanks to a specific algorithm that takes into consideration the pressure exerted on the brake lever, the lean angle, the pitch and yaw of the motorbike, the braking action is modulated, combining as per rule art deceleration and stability. Inevitable, obviously, all the famous Aprilia controls: we then find the ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) adjustable to 8 levels, the AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), the ACC (Aprilia Cruise Control), the AEM (Aprilia Engine Map) which allows you to access different mappings available to change the way the power of the twin-cylinder is delivered and the now well-known AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift), the fantastic electronic gearbox that offers precise shifts both uphill and downhill. On the Factory version you can also use the reverse gear option, thanks to a pre-installed system that recognizes its use. Also present the Riding Modes available, that 5 sleep: 3 for road use and 2 designed for the track. Specifically we find the mode Commute, suitable for everyday driving, followed by Dynamic, perfect for road riding and, subsequently, mode Individual which allows you to customize the map according to your needs for road driving. Challenge e Time Attack these are the two specific modes for the track where, the second, allows total customization of the electronics.

More powerful, more ready, more fun

The Aprilia Tuono 100 Factory delivers 660 horsepower, 5 more than its sister which stops at 95. In this configuration, the engine is identical to that of the faired RS: the 660 cc forward-facing twin-cylinder with double overhead camshaft distribution and four valves per cylinder , uses asymmetrical combustion and staggered by 270° to obtain sound and performance similar to those of a V-twin. It is important to say that the engine has a load-bearing function and which in the rear area houses the aluminum swingarm attachment. On the Tuono 660 Factory, acceleration also increases, thanks to the adoption of a shorter final transmission which involves the use of a 16 tooth sprocket (instead of 17); unchanged however maximum torque value which remains 67Nm available at 8.500 rpm with 80% of the same available from 4.000 rpm, they go to 90% at 6.250 rpm. The slight increase in power, combined with the tooth lost from the pinion, makes this brightest Factory, especially when exiting corners. The only sore point for younger motorcyclists is that the Tuono 660 Factory it cannot be weakened and then It cannot be driven with an A2 licence.

How it goes on the road

Riding the Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory you feel at home. Nothing is out of place, except for the clutch lever which is not adjustable and therefore difficult to reach for those with small hands. It's true that the aftermarket world offers a myriad of absolutely quality solutions but... in Noale they must have designed it for those with big hands! Adjustable brake lever, handlebars positioned at the right distance for a perfect torso angle and footpegs that are right where you want them to be; add a practically perfect fit of the legs into the lateral recesses of the tank, and here is the ideal motorbike with which to face every day, be it work or fun. In Commute mode, the little Tuono moves without problems in traffic and, each opening of the throttle turns into a linear and jerk-free progression, which leads to shifting into the next gear with extreme ease. The Dynamic mode can be docile but more incisive, with the right level of sportiness combined with everyday use. Using the Individual mode however, you can intervene as you wish on the parameters, adjusting the output and intervention levels of the controls to your liking. Dynamically, the upgrades made to the suspension sector can certainly be felt: the impression is that of having a stable and precise motorbike, easy to get into corners and even easier when changing direction, where the effort required is truly minimal and the rider's support is total. The fun increases exponentially when you point to faster extra-urban roads and perhaps full of curves, in which the small Aprilia shows off the qualities of a perfect chassis, incisive but modular brakes and stability in support resulting from studies carried out on the Tuono 1100 Factory. It is suitable for a wide range of motorcyclists thanks to its balance which makes it easy to ride at low speeds as well as when the pace increases. But the Aprilia engineers have worked with an eye to those who, the Factory, want to take it to the track and it is precisely here that the differences are felt most. What better thing is left to do than go to the Cremona Circuit where a Factory awaits us for a day together?  

At the Cremona Circuit with the Tuono 660 Factory

The Pirelli Diablo Rosso IVs on the bike being tested are perfect for even serious road use. But the Diablo Supercorsa SC1s on the track are something else entirely, and it is with these tires that we will tackle a scorching day at the Cremona Circuit. Mode Time Attack inserted, away with the tyrewarmers and we enter the track to take measurements with the Factory: in reality, just a few meters and the sensations that come are so familiar that we are led to push straight away, also thanks to the tires which are even more sincere than the standard ones, especially in descending sharply. The tank offers a deep lateral shape which allows the knee opposite to the direction of lean to remain well anchored to the bike, to the benefit of stability. It feels like holding a blade cutting into the asphalt in your hands, allowing the pilot to follow the trajectories set with surgical precision. The feeling of security and stability that is perceived, convinces you to increase your pace, keeping the throttle wide open almost to the limiter and shifting from one gear to another, assisted by a perfect gearbox, both in upshifting and downshifting. The horsepower available allows you to open the throttle earlier than you would with a much more powerful bike and the weight allows you to brake much further, thanks to the Brembo brakes which never miss a beat, even when stressed insistently. The Tuonina enters the fast turn 1 like lightning, arriving at turn 2 with the brake in hand and the bike still folded, supported in complete safety by the perfectly calibrated cornering ABS. Then the guided piece begins, the mixed where even the most powerful bikes struggle to keep up: the most important thing is to never get the gear wrong because then here it doesn't happen like with the thousand that you open wide and go. No, here you lose ground and recovering it is very difficult. In the mixed, the small Factory gives its best with the Kyaba fork it guarantees the right support, even in the most violent braking and, even when entering a bend with the brake in hand, the Tuono 660 Factory does not straighten out, remaining smooth and reliable in all conditions. The horsepower is more than enough to have fun, thanks to the engine that works well even beyond 8.000 rpm, up to 10.000 rpm where the gear change then becomes mandatory. On the straight we are bullied by the 1100 Factory of Noale but, when braking, we take our little revenge hanging on to the brakes at the last minute. And then inside to the left, once again in complete safety, making the change of direction that precedes the starting straight with exciting ease. There is only one problem: we have so much fun that we would never go down!

Conclusions and price

€10.999 needed – €400 more than the standard version – for that smile that will be printed on your face every time, when you raise the shutter of your garage in the morning, you see your Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory there waiting for you. Two colors available: a named two-tone version TooFAST (the one we used for the city shots) and the most aggressive in a total black look with red accents, with the iconic name: Factory Dark (the version used on the track). An exceptional bike capable of going from urban commuter to track day queen as if nothing had happened. If you don't have the requirement of an A2 licence, the Factory is definitely the right choice for more experienced motorcyclists but... let's be clear, the normal Tuono 660 is certainly not a poor choice, on the contrary, whatever your choice, fun is guaranteed. Of course it is that the name "Factory" gives it a few more shivers.

Dimensions: length 1995 mm; width 805 mm; wheelbase 1370 mm; saddle height 820 mm; trail 104,7 mm
Motor: 4-stroke parallel twin cylinder, ref. liquid, DOHC, max power 100 hp at 10.500 rpm, max torque 67 Nm at 8.500 rpm
Displacement: 659 cc
Shift: 6-speed with Aprilia Quick Shift System (AQS) up and down
Weight: 181 kg in running order
Front suspension: Kayaba Ø 41 mm
Rear suspension: Mono Sachs with separate tank
Braking system: Front double disc 320mm, rear single disc 220mm
Tires: 120/70 ZR17 front, 180/55 ZR17 (alternative 180/60 ZR17) rear.
Tank capacity: Lt 15
Consumption: 4,9 L / 100 km
Price: 10.999 € fc