RIDE REVIEW I APRILIA 660 TUAREG
P64
Certainly, the adventure-tuned 660
power pack helps here. Already a win-
ner on the street in RS and Tuono trim,
the Tuareg tune delivers easy-to-use
torque in a nimble package. Requiring
less skill to carve corners (think: more
forgiving wrong-gear scenarios) and more fun
pulling out of them (even in the wrong gear). But
the engine doesn't only deliver bottom torque, the
lively and open upper range is still there, allow-
ing you to pull through the straight bits just fine.
Our test bikes were equipped with Aprilia's Quick
Shift (a $249.95 add-on) so, that helped us leave
one corner, and enter the next, too. The Brembo
brakes are solid, as they should be.
The on-road suspension character is active
through most of the stroke, but not sloppy. It also
has just enough progressive damping structure
to keep the bike out of the deep stroke
until needed. I scraped footpeg and
sidestand edges across the asphalt in
quite a few corners, so the limit is there
on the edges, but for touring duty, the
suspension and chassis goods provide
ample hold-up for pushing at a moderately high
pace.
Electronics are top-notch in the streets with the
pre-programmed Ride Modes providing all you
really need to tour. It is fun and effective to manu-
ally mix up engine braking and engine mapping
levels for insight into how the systems work, as
well. Kudos to Aprilia for keeping control, or lack
thereof, in the riders' hands, for now. I generally
don't mess with traction control on the pavement.
Because, well, I'm a dirt person. I know my size
and place on the street and it's small and careful.
Footpeg clearance
on tight turns is easily
maxed out, but that's
a compliment to the
turning capabilities of
the new Tuareg.
