Fresh images of Aprilia’s eagerly-anticipated RS660 middleweight sportsbike have appeared today, after factory MotoGP riders Aleix Espargarό and Bradley Smith, plus test rider Lorenzo Savadori, tested the bike at Misano between back-to-back racing weekends.
Although the Aprilia-contracted racers are unsurprisingly complimentary about the parallel twin, the accompanying photographs from their time on circuit provide a brief look at the finished machine, which is set to go into production in October. This was added to by Aleix Espargarό, who claimed: "It's extremely stable and the engine really pushes hard. I really liked the quick shift feature."
First revealed at Eicma 2019, the RSV4-aping twin stole the headlines as a modern day equivalent of the GP-inspired RS250 two-stroke of the early 1990s to mid noughties - taking a step away from full-fat litre sportsbikes, to provide something potentially more manageable and engaging to road riders and less experienced pilots.
Weighing a claimed 169kg, the 660’s parallel-twin engine is derived from the front bank of cylinders on the 1078cc RSV4 1100 Factory superbike. Used as a stress member, it’s paired with an aluminium twin spar frame, before being dressed in a set of V4-inspired fairings. Producing a claimed 100hp (98.6bhp), Aprilia have also equipped the bike with a ride-by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU - allowing for suite of electronic aids for track and road riding; including five riding modes and cornering ABS. Expect a TFT dash up front, too. A 95hp (93.7bhp) version will also be available - restrictable for A2 riders and featuring the same spec.
Although almost ready for production, Aprilia remain tight-lipped on the price. Despite some UK dealers are already claiming £9699, when asked the Italian firm said this was false and a figure yet to be decided.
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