is , therefore , no longer used as a bearing element ( as it is on RS 660 and Tuono 660 ), but as a stressed element . Its position has also been rotated about 10 ° to the rear compared with the street bikes . This makes the cylinder bank more vertical , reduces the yaw movement of the bike and boosts its agility on tight turns .
The double-arm aluminium swingarm , significantly longer to ensure maximum traction , is pivoted both in the frame and in the engine and operates the shock absorber that features progressive linkage . The Kayaba suspension system , with extremely long travel ( 240 mm ), has adjustable hydraulic rebound damping and compression , as well as spring preload ( for the shock absorber , using the convenient hydraulic preload handle ). The setup Aprilia has chosen is ideal for overcoming any obstacle a demanding off-road ride might throw up , while also making an enjoyable ride on the road possible . The fuel tank is another one of the elements that clearly represents the clarity behind the Tuareg 660 ' s design . In spite of its large 18-litre capacity , it is extremely slender in the area where the rider ' s legs come into contact with it and is fully protected by the frame , so there is no need for any additional covering . Its vertical development allows the fuel to stay close to the centre of gravity , without having any impact on the riding dynamics , the change in volume , or any change of its position within the tank – when tackling steep slopes for example . The fuel draught zone is located beneath the saddle . This has benefits both for centralisation of the masses and draught down to the last drop . The choice of sizes for the tubeless aluminium wheel rims indicates the Tuareg 660 ' s clear off-roading vocation : the front rim is 2.5 x 21 ”; the rear rim is 4.5 x 18 ”. Both are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres , respectively 90 / 90 and 150 / 70 . The Brembo braking system relies on a pair of 300 mm discs and double-piston callipers at the front and a single 260 mm disc and floating , single-piston calliper at the rear .
Aprilia has always been at the cutting edge of the electronics field ( the first to introduce Ride-by-Wire throttle control on a MotoGP bike in 2002 and on a factory bike in 2007 ) and currently boasts the APRC ( Aprilia Performance Ride Control ) electronic controls package . Developed in top level competitions , it is considered by customers and critics to be among the most effective and advanced available .
Aprilia Tuareg 660 features the electronic multimap Ride-by-Wire accelerator for finely tuned , delicate and progressive throttle control from low engine revs and a special APRC electronic controls package calibrated for performance and safety , with dedicated settings to provide a safe and thrilling ride on the road and , at the same time , an off-road ride without filters , ensuring the purest riding pleasure . The APRC package on Tuareg 660 , developed specifically for this model , includes : - ATC : Aprilia Traction Control , traction control that can be adjusted to 4 levels or disabled , characterised by finely tuned and high-performance logic and operation .
- ACC : Aprilia Cruise Control , to maintain the set speed without touching the throttle control , extremely handy when travelling .
- AEB : Aprilia Engine Brake , system to control engine braking when closing the throttle . adjustable to 3 levels .
- AEM : Aprilia Engine Map , 3 different mappings available to change the character of the engine and the way it delivers power . This does not change the maximum power delivered .
The vast catalogue of accessories dedicated to Tuareg 660 also includes AQS : Aprilia Quick Shift , the electronic gearbox that allows for very rapid shifting without closing the throttle or using the clutch . It is also equipped with the downshift function , to allow for clutchless downshifting .
To maximise the riding experience and to facilitate being on board , Aprilia has set up four Riding Modes specifically for Tuareg 660 : all the rider has to do is choose the Riding Mode that best interprets his or her riding needs to automatically obtain the best settings in terms of traction control , engine brake , ABS and all the other managed parameters .
Of the four Riding Modes , two are dedicated to street riding , one is specifically for off-road riding , and one is fully customisable :
Urban , for everyday riding , calibrated with safety in mind ; ABS is active on both channels ;
Explore , for a thrilling ride on the road , calibrated to let you fully enjoy the route . ABS is active on both channels .
Offroad , specifically for off-road riding , with minimum traction control and engine brake levels . This engine mapping is the most manageable in terms of power delivery . ABS is disabled on the rear brake and can also be disabled on the front brake .
Individual , which lets you fully personalise the electronic controls .
Managing the electronics settings is facilitated by fully intuitive handlebar controls : the one on the left lets you quickly adjust traction control and cruise control ( in addition to the other functions ); the one on the right lets you quickly select the desired riding mode .
The 5-inch colour digital TFT instrument cluster provides a perfect display of the various parameters
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