Aprillia RS660
Discussion
Does anyone own one of these or at least ridden one? I'm quite tempted after reading all the reviews but the low power output does put me off a little.
I wouldn't mind testing one but wondered if anyone has any experiences of them? I'm currently on a 2016 Speed Triple and previously owned a 2000 ZX6R. Presumably it would be a closer match to the ZX6 albeit much lighter and full of tech.
I'm a typical fair weather rider and use my bike once or twice a week for 70-80 mile blasts. Once or twice a year I do a little touring with a mate which has historically been in the UK but we are planning a Germany trip next year.
I wouldn't mind testing one but wondered if anyone has any experiences of them? I'm currently on a 2016 Speed Triple and previously owned a 2000 ZX6R. Presumably it would be a closer match to the ZX6 albeit much lighter and full of tech.
I'm a typical fair weather rider and use my bike once or twice a week for 70-80 mile blasts. Once or twice a year I do a little touring with a mate which has historically been in the UK but we are planning a Germany trip next year.
I'd be interested to see responses too as the do look quite smart & as you say, have some swish electronic stuff.
Having said that, I have to say the Triumph Trident 660 seems to have had impressive initial reviews.
All of the above is just a back of the brain thought should I decide to go down the "something lighter etc" route. The other option is Street Triple R though the Aprilia & the R are dearer buys.
Having said that, I have to say the Triumph Trident 660 seems to have had impressive initial reviews.
All of the above is just a back of the brain thought should I decide to go down the "something lighter etc" route. The other option is Street Triple R though the Aprilia & the R are dearer buys.
arcticGT said:
Ducati Supersport or the rumoured R9 might be a better option if your worried about power?
Is there an R9 on the cards? Heard about the R7 700cc twin but not the 900 triple. Would be good - I had a 900 Tracer from new for 3 months and the engine was the best bit - everything else bar the heated grips needs to go in the skip.Test rode a 939 Ducati Supersport twice now they’re £8k and it’s mostly perfect for my current road riding.
Needs to look a tiny bit sexier, have mirrors that actually function and ideally cruise control (and some little V4R/S/SP type wings!). The one I rode had a stupidly noisy exhaust but the standard one looks nice enough with an aftermarket belly pan to tidy it up.
The RS660 is proprely high on my list as well. I've been riding an XJ6 for the last 3 years after passing DAS and am now and lusting after something Sports-bike-esq but that's also usable over distance or weekends away. Certainly on paper the RS660 ticks many boxes. Love the idea of cruise control, up/down quickshifter, pillion luggage options. Holding off test riding one until I'm closer to a position to buy.
It's a real shame they couldn't get closer to the sort of 120-130bhp power figures, but hopefully even with *only* 100, the light weight will make up some of that shortfall.
The only real competitor seems to be the Ducati SuperSport, but the price point is hardly comparable.
It's a real shame they couldn't get closer to the sort of 120-130bhp power figures, but hopefully even with *only* 100, the light weight will make up some of that shortfall.
The only real competitor seems to be the Ducati SuperSport, but the price point is hardly comparable.
I've test ridden one. I've been riding for a year on a Husqvarna Svartpilen 701, which I really like but I want to do more longer journeys and I don't like motorways on it. I'd also like to do a few trackdays so on paper the RS660 looks perfect. First impressions of the aprilia are the engine sounds much nicer, the quickshifter blipper is much smoother, my bike has one and I've always liked it but it makes it feel agricultural. The riding position seemed quite leaned over, I've not ridden a sports bike before, but by the end of the ride it felt fine and makes it feel really nice in the corners. The suspension seems perfectly set up for the road for me, not bouncy but not harsh. It immediately inspired confidence, the test route was fastish A roads and B roads and I was riding faster than I normally would but didnt feel like I was pushing myself or riding beyond my limits, and I was enjoying myself. Cruising along at 80 felt fine and like I could do it as long as needed whereas on the svartpilen it feels like you're hanging on and can be quite wearing. Because I felt so comfortable on it I was soon opening it up and that's where the biggest issue is for me. It doesn't feel faster than my svartpilen and maybe even a bit slower. That might be because the svartpilen is a big single and mine is a tooth lower on the sprocket, you're always in the torque band and the shove feels instant. I rarely go WOT in 2nd on the svart but on the RS660 I felt fine going to the throttle stops. The counter to that is it's much nicer to rev out and it's more fun exploring the rev range but that initial thump just isnt there. I had a duke 790 as a courtesy bike when mine was being serviced and that felt a step up from my bike with its 105bhp, I was expecting the aprilia to feel like that but it was some way off. Now, it's not a slow bike and in 3rd and 4th actually felt more like I anticipated. The bike feels heavier than mine which is no surpise because it is but the turn in felt quite a lot slower, it needed more effort to tip it in to corners, I don't know if that's because the bars are narrower and all sports bike are like that but the svartpilen feels more agile in the slower twistier stuff. The pegs are also quite vibey which is suprising coming from my single, the handlebars are fine, but the mirrors are badly effected making them pretty rubbish. It's left me in a bit of quandary, as I said on paper this is the perfect bike for me but I feel like there's not the progression there that I'd like, something that I feel like I could learn over a year, its just very competent already. If it had been available when I passed my test I think it would make the perfect first big bike, having said that I think it does make more sense for what I want from a bike that my current one so I'm conflicted. If the cost was the same it would be a no brainer but I'm looking at it being roughly twice the price to change, I think I will try a street triple and maybe a daytona to see what they're like.
Very interesting write up mate, thank you for that.
I took my Speed Triple for a suspension setup at the weekend and it feels completely transformed so I'm back in love with it all over again. I think the lack of torque is a bit of a concern as I tend to ride much quicker on something that demands high revs. The reason I decided against a litre sports bike in the end in favour of a naked.
I took my Speed Triple for a suspension setup at the weekend and it feels completely transformed so I'm back in love with it all over again. I think the lack of torque is a bit of a concern as I tend to ride much quicker on something that demands high revs. The reason I decided against a litre sports bike in the end in favour of a naked.
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