ROAD NEWS
APRILIA TUAREG 660 SPECS REVEALED
Aprilia ’ s upcoming Tuareg 660 is looking to be seriously anticipated , hot property in the adventure market . A true middleweight based around the 660cc parallel-twin from Aprilia ’ s RS660 and Tuono 660 , the Tuareg looks set to add an option for riders between the budget Yamaha Tenere and expensive European options . While pricing and New Zealand arrival announcements are still a long way off ( expect it sometime next year at the earliest ), the details so far released by Aprilia paint a very competitive picture .
ENGINE The 660cc parallel twin has been re-tuned to produce a claimed 80hp and 70Nm of power with the engine being utilised as a stressed member of the tubular steel trellis frame . Visually the bike has few bolt-ons and unnecessary bodywork , with the long flat seat sitting above the exposed subframe .
CHASSIS The suspension comes in the form of a 43mm fork and progressive linkage monoshock , both with long 240mm travel to ensure offroad traction and fun in places where others have to close the throttle . Ground clearance is claimed to be “ more than ” 240mm and is matched with a seat height of “ less than ” 860mm . We assume since the bike is still in development Aprilia aren ’ t quite willing to set those figures in stone yet , but it appears the chassis is well sorted in addition to the dirtoriented 21-inch and 18-inch wheel sizing . Dry weight ( that ’ s minus the 18-litres of fuel , oil and coolant ) is claimed at a low 187kg which puts the Aprilia right in the same ballpark as the Yamaha Tenere 700 .
92 KIWI RIDER