2022 APRILIA TUAREG 660
Makes a case for natural selection
Makes a case for natural selection
2022 APRILIA TUAREG 660
Makes a case for natural selection
As soon as Aprilia pulled the covers off of its new 660cc engine at EICMA 2019, adventure and dual sport riders began to dream about a Yamaha Tenere 700 rival from Noale, Italy. Aprilia, being way ahead of those dreamers, began the development of the 2022 Tuareg 660 at the same time as the RS 660 sportbike and Tuono 660 naked, both of which hit the market ahead of the new adventure bike. Now it’s here, and more expensive than the T7, but with more electronics and up-spec suspension.
At $11,999, the Tuareg has a $2,000 higher initial cost than the Tenere 700. That’s a big jump over what is regarded as the best value in adventure motorcycling, but the Tuareg is a great value in its own right, with a full suite of electronic rider aids, a full-color 5-inch TFT screen, and fully adjustable Kayaba suspension.
Cycle World got a ride on a preproduction unit before development was finished on the Tuareg. We left the ride excited for the finished product; it didn’t disappoint. On the street, Explore mode allows quick throttle response, feeding the 18-inch rear Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tire a claimed 80 hp and 52 pound-feet of torque. Tap the mode button for Off-Road mode and you get even more immediate response, allowing you to fully exploit the potential of the plucky parallel twin.
Handling on the street is quick and stable, as any Aprilia should be, and in the dirt the chassis is communicative and easy to keep on line when the going gets rough. Sit down and it will cut and thrust like a motocross bike; stand up and the Tuareg will kick out the rear according to your tastes with the help of four traction control levels. The Kayaba suspension is well suited for both street and the dirt with excellent hold-up in the corners despite 9.5 inches of travel.
Aprilia has created an excellent option in the smaller ADV or big dual sport. It’s absolutely a contender in the segment, depending only on the size of your budget. We look forward to putting it head to head with the T7 in the near future. The real dilemma is: Go all the way or save some cash? It’s never an easy choice, but it’s a fun question.
Justin Dawes
