RS660 Review/Ramblings - To Modify or Move On
Discussion
I've got an Rs660 that I've put about 4k since I had it new in May. Take this as my ownership review, bored festive ramblings and me seeking opinions on what to do.
Picked it up from 3dMoto and took about a steadyish 600 miles run in, no issues.
Service complete started to enjoy "the season" on it, using it for what it seems Aprilia intended which is evening and weekend rides, commuting and a bit of everything in between.
It is a perfect balance of power and ridability for the road. 44t review sums the bike up very well for me.
I love the look and styling of the bike, ticks the turns head box for sure.
Fits me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted, a bike to scratch about on but capable of long rides in relative comfort.
Aprilia have got the electronics spot on, coming from Japanese bikes ('17 r6 and tracer 900gt) they are a world apart in terms of throttle connection and adjustability. The blipper and QS and faultless and the different throttle maps make a noticable and usefull difference.
Commute mode for a softer throttle and increased engine breaking, dynamic for a more responsive ride or fully customised mode for whatever takes your fancy.
Track day? It's got a seperate Race mode with lap timer etc.
Although the bike doesn't really need anti wheelie.
Makes a great intake noise when pushing on but obviously on the stock exhaust the bike is fairly silent which is either a good or bad thing depending on what mood you are in.
Had no reliability issues other than a quickshifter recall. Dealership is up the road so no problems there. Oh and I had to top the coolant up as noticed the fan was kicking in more and running hotter in traffic. No problems since.
As with any bike its not without its areas where it needs improvement.
Chain - For me the stock chain has been terrible, constant tight spots so the chain is always on the looser side of things and needs to be spotlessly clean otherwise its very noisy and generally unpleasant. Never had an issue on other bikes.
Rear Shock - Issues seem well documented with the junk standard rear shock. Essentially too much play from standard and way too soft. No adjustment is fixing it. APWorkshop have a good video series on this on their youtube channel.
Flat spot - Between 6-8k there is a very annoying flatspot. As with most new bikes it seems to be an emissions thing. End up riding it like an R6 but the motor has torque so you miss out on the low end. In the wrong gear at the wrong time has left me waiting waiting waiting. A distraction you are always riding round.
To remedy for me it needs the following.
DiD Chain - 100ish
Rear Sprocket - 50ish
KTECH rear shock - 620ish
Flat spot is a bit more complicated but essential looks like you can get away with
Air filter -80
Upmap tool - 412
Gabro racing map (Inc in upmap) Has maps for stock exhaust and aftermarket upgrade.
Exhausts you are looking at 650 for a Mivv underslung up to 1600 for a SC underslung....
So to summarise my ramblings, I love the bike and as good as it is... it's not a laugh inside your helmet type ride. Probably not helped by being on the silent stock exhaust. It's the right bike for me in terms of power and rideability but for me it needs at least 1200 throwing at it to make it as good as it can be.
Or do I just sack it all off, sell my enduro that i dont really use, go to one bike and get a 2020 Tuono factory with the fancy Ohlins, to get the V4 with all the noise and fun.
Thoughts?
Picked it up from 3dMoto and took about a steadyish 600 miles run in, no issues.
Service complete started to enjoy "the season" on it, using it for what it seems Aprilia intended which is evening and weekend rides, commuting and a bit of everything in between.
It is a perfect balance of power and ridability for the road. 44t review sums the bike up very well for me.
I love the look and styling of the bike, ticks the turns head box for sure.
Fits me perfectly and was exactly what I wanted, a bike to scratch about on but capable of long rides in relative comfort.
Aprilia have got the electronics spot on, coming from Japanese bikes ('17 r6 and tracer 900gt) they are a world apart in terms of throttle connection and adjustability. The blipper and QS and faultless and the different throttle maps make a noticable and usefull difference.
Commute mode for a softer throttle and increased engine breaking, dynamic for a more responsive ride or fully customised mode for whatever takes your fancy.
Track day? It's got a seperate Race mode with lap timer etc.
Although the bike doesn't really need anti wheelie.
Makes a great intake noise when pushing on but obviously on the stock exhaust the bike is fairly silent which is either a good or bad thing depending on what mood you are in.
Had no reliability issues other than a quickshifter recall. Dealership is up the road so no problems there. Oh and I had to top the coolant up as noticed the fan was kicking in more and running hotter in traffic. No problems since.
As with any bike its not without its areas where it needs improvement.
Chain - For me the stock chain has been terrible, constant tight spots so the chain is always on the looser side of things and needs to be spotlessly clean otherwise its very noisy and generally unpleasant. Never had an issue on other bikes.
Rear Shock - Issues seem well documented with the junk standard rear shock. Essentially too much play from standard and way too soft. No adjustment is fixing it. APWorkshop have a good video series on this on their youtube channel.
Flat spot - Between 6-8k there is a very annoying flatspot. As with most new bikes it seems to be an emissions thing. End up riding it like an R6 but the motor has torque so you miss out on the low end. In the wrong gear at the wrong time has left me waiting waiting waiting. A distraction you are always riding round.
To remedy for me it needs the following.
DiD Chain - 100ish
Rear Sprocket - 50ish
KTECH rear shock - 620ish
Flat spot is a bit more complicated but essential looks like you can get away with
Air filter -80
Upmap tool - 412
Gabro racing map (Inc in upmap) Has maps for stock exhaust and aftermarket upgrade.
Exhausts you are looking at 650 for a Mivv underslung up to 1600 for a SC underslung....
So to summarise my ramblings, I love the bike and as good as it is... it's not a laugh inside your helmet type ride. Probably not helped by being on the silent stock exhaust. It's the right bike for me in terms of power and rideability but for me it needs at least 1200 throwing at it to make it as good as it can be.
Or do I just sack it all off, sell my enduro that i dont really use, go to one bike and get a 2020 Tuono factory with the fancy Ohlins, to get the V4 with all the noise and fun.
Thoughts?
sounds to me like you are pretty happy with the bike overall, and I agree that these sit in the right range for a road bike in this period of time. I ride a 2011 Honda CBR 600 which is a little over 100hp and a Honda VTR SP2, as much as i love the SP2 to me its too much on the road in pretty much every respect these days, and stuff like the Tuono V4's are a different world, plenty of fun I'm sure but complete overkill. My 600 does everything a decent road bike needs to do for me.
I'm also not sure what you'd get back for the rs660 now in case that's a consideration, I've seen low miles bikes going for pretty low prices privately, so you could take a bit of a hit which may be hard to swallow after not owning for that long.
Personally, if you're not using the enduro, I'd sell that but stick with the 660, then make the changes you need to it in order of importance to you, you don't need to do it all at once and I'm sure as these bikes are popular lightly used Nitrons/exhausts will come up for much more sensible money over time. Hopefully you'll then end up with a super useable/fun bike that does exactly what you need.
I'm also not sure what you'd get back for the rs660 now in case that's a consideration, I've seen low miles bikes going for pretty low prices privately, so you could take a bit of a hit which may be hard to swallow after not owning for that long.
Personally, if you're not using the enduro, I'd sell that but stick with the 660, then make the changes you need to it in order of importance to you, you don't need to do it all at once and I'm sure as these bikes are popular lightly used Nitrons/exhausts will come up for much more sensible money over time. Hopefully you'll then end up with a super useable/fun bike that does exactly what you need.
The honeymoon has run out thats all.
I'd maybe look at the remap now and leave the other things for later.
Although I did sell a Triumph Street 765RS within a few months of owning it (lost £1 for every mile I put on it) as I just knew I wouldn't get on with it. The bike I got after I kept for four years and have only just changed it.
I'd maybe look at the remap now and leave the other things for later.
Although I did sell a Triumph Street 765RS within a few months of owning it (lost £1 for every mile I put on it) as I just knew I wouldn't get on with it. The bike I got after I kept for four years and have only just changed it.
I think these look like they’re really great bikes to live with and enjoy, love the 90s RS250 colour scheme too but I know as much as I’d enjoy it I’d really be wanting its big RSV4 shaped brother, complete overkill in every way admittedly but they’re such a f
king amazing bike to ride.
king amazing bike to ride.
What you've said is pretty much how it goes with "cheap" Italian twins (yeah they're not cheap but they ain't a 1199SL...). The chains flog out, the engines come a bit choked up and fluffy from the factory and the suspension is a bit cheap. The exhaust and "carburation" is due to regulations and the chain and suspension is due to economics. Fix those and you'll have something which feels better than new!
So I've ordered some parts...
Rad guard
Tail tidy
45t sprocket (+2)
DID chain
Std front sprocket (may as well)
Need to do a post Xmas weigh in with all my kit on and get the ktech rear shock ordered.
New rear tyre
Get the suspension set up, probably at SSR in Telford unless anyone's got any other suggestions.
Get the 6k service done and then see where the rest of the year takes me in regards to maps/exhaust.
Rad guard
Tail tidy
45t sprocket (+2)
DID chain
Std front sprocket (may as well)
Need to do a post Xmas weigh in with all my kit on and get the ktech rear shock ordered.
New rear tyre
Get the suspension set up, probably at SSR in Telford unless anyone's got any other suggestions.
Get the 6k service done and then see where the rest of the year takes me in regards to maps/exhaust.
Pretty bang on summary that.
We have a 660 Tuono as well as a 2021 V4 Factory Tuono.
I absolutely love riding the 660 and with a few tweaks to it it could be the perfect bike
But ….
A V4 it is not.
For me, that flat spot is its biggest weakness and the thing that needs addressing the most. I’m not a big fan of the generic upmap type things and would prefer to have it properly mapped, and will be something that I’ll be looking further in to this year.
I have heard one of these with the official Akra on and it sounds mega, they are eye watering expensive though. I guess they will come with the race map from the factory too I assume? I wonder if that might fill in the hole in the revs?
We have a 660 Tuono as well as a 2021 V4 Factory Tuono.
I absolutely love riding the 660 and with a few tweaks to it it could be the perfect bike
But ….
A V4 it is not.
For me, that flat spot is its biggest weakness and the thing that needs addressing the most. I’m not a big fan of the generic upmap type things and would prefer to have it properly mapped, and will be something that I’ll be looking further in to this year.
I have heard one of these with the official Akra on and it sounds mega, they are eye watering expensive though. I guess they will come with the race map from the factory too I assume? I wonder if that might fill in the hole in the revs?
EVOTECH3BELL said:
So I've ordered some parts...
Rad guard
Tail tidy
45t sprocket (+2)
DID chain
Std front sprocket (may as well)
Need to do a post Xmas weigh in with all my kit on and get the ktech rear shock ordered.
New rear tyre
Get the suspension set up, probably at SSR in Telford unless anyone's got any other suggestions.
Get the 6k service done and then see where the rest of the year takes me in regards to maps/exhaust.
Excellent! That's the way to go.Rad guard
Tail tidy
45t sprocket (+2)
DID chain
Std front sprocket (may as well)
Need to do a post Xmas weigh in with all my kit on and get the ktech rear shock ordered.
New rear tyre
Get the suspension set up, probably at SSR in Telford unless anyone's got any other suggestions.
Get the 6k service done and then see where the rest of the year takes me in regards to maps/exhaust.
Rides much better on UK B roads now the Ktech rear shock is fitted.
This bike spends its time on Shropshire/Wales roads so found the standard set up lacking.
Looking to get this set up properly soon, just want so e slightly warmer weather to come through.
Still nice to get out in the evening sunshine.
I think the RS660 is the bike I am going to buy when I pass my test…I have been riding 125’s (2 strokes) for years but feel the want for something like this now.
Good to know the k tech is a good upgrade, I won’t push the chassis with my skills or riding style but good damping is the key.
Good to know the k tech is a good upgrade, I won’t push the chassis with my skills or riding style but good damping is the key.
EVOTECH3BELL said:
Good point about the trade in, residuals are certainly very poor. Always going to be on a new bike esp Aprilia seem to always be hard hit.
Maybe il rent one if the modern crop of sportsbikes for the weekend in the spring to get that itch scratched as im sure thats all it really is.
I have been looking for a while and have not seen any bikes retail at under 7,500, how low have you seen them…I know trade in will be terrible as is any car or bike really.Maybe il rent one if the modern crop of sportsbikes for the weekend in the spring to get that itch scratched as im sure thats all it really is.
Got the bike booked in for a suspension set up in May.
Would like the bike to feel more, on the nose
Got it feeling OK, soaks up British B road bumps well, but would rather someone who knows what they're doing look at it.
Next up will be to either...learn to ride around the 7-8k flatspot or do something about it.
Chose the wrong gear and on corner exit you are left wanting and waiting. It's a case of, twist the throttle and not a lot happens really
Oh and I had to have a new Pirelli on the rear due to a puncture. Tyre was on the wear indicators anyway at 3.3k.
Would like the bike to feel more, on the nose
Got it feeling OK, soaks up British B road bumps well, but would rather someone who knows what they're doing look at it.
Next up will be to either...learn to ride around the 7-8k flatspot or do something about it.
Chose the wrong gear and on corner exit you are left wanting and waiting. It's a case of, twist the throttle and not a lot happens really
Oh and I had to have a new Pirelli on the rear due to a puncture. Tyre was on the wear indicators anyway at 3.3k.
EVOTECH3BELL said:
Got the bike booked in for a suspension set up in May.
Would like the bike to feel more, on the nose
Got it feeling OK, soaks up British B road bumps well, but would rather someone who knows what they're doing look at it.
Next up will be to either...learn to ride around the 7-8k flatspot or do something about it.
Chose the wrong gear and on corner exit you are left wanting and waiting. It's a case of, twist the throttle and not a lot happens really
Oh and I had to have a new Pirelli on the rear due to a puncture. Tyre was on the wear indicators anyway at 3.3k.
I heard that the Gabro intake trumpets and the upmap sorted out the flat spot. Would like the bike to feel more, on the nose
Got it feeling OK, soaks up British B road bumps well, but would rather someone who knows what they're doing look at it.
Next up will be to either...learn to ride around the 7-8k flatspot or do something about it.
Chose the wrong gear and on corner exit you are left wanting and waiting. It's a case of, twist the throttle and not a lot happens really
Oh and I had to have a new Pirelli on the rear due to a puncture. Tyre was on the wear indicators anyway at 3.3k.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff