New Bike - Aprilia Tuareg 660
Discussion
Thought I should pop a thread up on this bike. They seem to slip under the radar most of the time, but I've been mightily impressed over the course of the last month.
So...I wasn't using the Himalayan enough (only for local stuff) and the Triumph Tiger 1200 was just too massive for anything but touring (getting the bike out of the garage was such effort, I often took the car)!
So I decided I wanted something smaller - middle sized that could do the local stuff the Himalayan was fun for, but also allow me to do some touring as well. Cruise control was a preferred feature! Initial list of potential bikes were:
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports - Always loved the look and the height was appealing as I'm 6ft3 and touching 18 stone! But when I went and tried one, I just didn't gel and felt the foot pedals were a bit rearward for me. Plus it was pushing 240kg so not the big weight saving I wanted. Most of my riding is local popping to the shops and through traffic, so I wanted something that was slow speed nimble.
I then turned my attention to the F850GS or GSA - but they seemed a bit dull and surprisingly chunky when I went and tried them out.
Then tried the Tiger 900, which again were great value - amazing how the arse falls out of new bikes these days! But it felt too much like the Tiger 1200 - I wanted a change.
This left me a little lost...liked the Norden 901 Expedition and was great value, but on a short test, the engine heat was pretty noticeable (and that was another reason for moving the Triumph on as it used to cook my legs). Tenere 700 was pretty impressive, but felt awful value for how spartan they are and the cheap feel on the switchgear/dash.
So as I wandered round Fowlers of Bristol, I sat on everything. Transalp was comfy...V-Strom 800 felt great too, if a little chunky. But neither had cruise. Then I saw a Tuareg in the corner. This was a bike I didn't really know much about, aside from knowing it existed. Sat on it and was immediately impressed - it fit me really well, and felt quite similar to the Tenere. Plus it has a nice TFT...rider modes...and wait is that cruise control?
I wasn't completely sold on the looks, but decided to try one out...and was pretty blown away. It felt great, handled like something much sportier. And the engine, whilst tame compared to the 135bhp tiger I had, felt really peppy for 80bhp. Torque everywhere you need it! The fly by wire throttle was a little surgey as they often are, but not terrible. Suspension was really plush too, despite being undersprung for my weight. Low speed balance was just brilliant - can genuinely crawl along at a snails pace due to the low weight distribution. And it's nice and light for moving about (about 205kg). It's also meant to be bloody brilliant off road (widely considered the best middleweight off the tarmac). Now I don't offroad much...but have been keen to dip my toe more in the water so that was a nice feature as well.
So that was me sold - and some dealers were offering them brand new on the road for £8499! Now the only negative was they come sparsely equipped as standard and genuine accessories are expensive. But undeterred, I started keeping an eye out...and up popped a Dakar Podium coloured 6 month old 1 owner bike, with only 900 miles on the clock for a sensible price. It also had the bigger Aprilia touring screen, Heated grips, quick shifter and genuine rear and side racks. Now ideally, I wanted a more subtle colour...but it was a good deal so I went for it...
2 days later and this turned up:
After a first test ride, I had to add a little pop up screen to remove wind noise - that's worked perfectly so can now cruise in silence with the visor open. But the bike has been great so far, especially after dialling in the suspension a little...well pretty much maxing out preload!
I've done a couple longer trips and am now about 600 miles in. As well as the screen extender, I have hard wired in a wireless phone holder - the same one I had on the Triumph (cheap Aliexpress deal, but lasted 3 years and 5000 miles on the last bike without fault).
I was also keen to get a top box, but wanted the smallest one I could get. Was going to get the Givi Trekker 42, but spotted some generic Chinese copies in 36l size. I popped one in my basket on Temu of all places, but decided £70 or so was too much for something I was probably going to be disappointed in. A few days later, I got an email saying I could have it for £36 if I ordered that day so took a punt. It's turned up and fitted and it's mightily impressive for the money...if it goes rusty or leaks, then I will maybe consider replacing. But it's fine for now and not too bulky:
I am contemplating getting SW Motech Evo pedals for a little more legroom, but it pretty comfy as is. I have ordered the High Comfort Seat though which should help for long distance comfort.
Will try and keep this thread updated and report back any issues (it's an Italian bike after all!). The colour is growing on me as well!
So...I wasn't using the Himalayan enough (only for local stuff) and the Triumph Tiger 1200 was just too massive for anything but touring (getting the bike out of the garage was such effort, I often took the car)!
So I decided I wanted something smaller - middle sized that could do the local stuff the Himalayan was fun for, but also allow me to do some touring as well. Cruise control was a preferred feature! Initial list of potential bikes were:
Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports - Always loved the look and the height was appealing as I'm 6ft3 and touching 18 stone! But when I went and tried one, I just didn't gel and felt the foot pedals were a bit rearward for me. Plus it was pushing 240kg so not the big weight saving I wanted. Most of my riding is local popping to the shops and through traffic, so I wanted something that was slow speed nimble.
I then turned my attention to the F850GS or GSA - but they seemed a bit dull and surprisingly chunky when I went and tried them out.
Then tried the Tiger 900, which again were great value - amazing how the arse falls out of new bikes these days! But it felt too much like the Tiger 1200 - I wanted a change.
This left me a little lost...liked the Norden 901 Expedition and was great value, but on a short test, the engine heat was pretty noticeable (and that was another reason for moving the Triumph on as it used to cook my legs). Tenere 700 was pretty impressive, but felt awful value for how spartan they are and the cheap feel on the switchgear/dash.
So as I wandered round Fowlers of Bristol, I sat on everything. Transalp was comfy...V-Strom 800 felt great too, if a little chunky. But neither had cruise. Then I saw a Tuareg in the corner. This was a bike I didn't really know much about, aside from knowing it existed. Sat on it and was immediately impressed - it fit me really well, and felt quite similar to the Tenere. Plus it has a nice TFT...rider modes...and wait is that cruise control?
I wasn't completely sold on the looks, but decided to try one out...and was pretty blown away. It felt great, handled like something much sportier. And the engine, whilst tame compared to the 135bhp tiger I had, felt really peppy for 80bhp. Torque everywhere you need it! The fly by wire throttle was a little surgey as they often are, but not terrible. Suspension was really plush too, despite being undersprung for my weight. Low speed balance was just brilliant - can genuinely crawl along at a snails pace due to the low weight distribution. And it's nice and light for moving about (about 205kg). It's also meant to be bloody brilliant off road (widely considered the best middleweight off the tarmac). Now I don't offroad much...but have been keen to dip my toe more in the water so that was a nice feature as well.
So that was me sold - and some dealers were offering them brand new on the road for £8499! Now the only negative was they come sparsely equipped as standard and genuine accessories are expensive. But undeterred, I started keeping an eye out...and up popped a Dakar Podium coloured 6 month old 1 owner bike, with only 900 miles on the clock for a sensible price. It also had the bigger Aprilia touring screen, Heated grips, quick shifter and genuine rear and side racks. Now ideally, I wanted a more subtle colour...but it was a good deal so I went for it...
2 days later and this turned up:
After a first test ride, I had to add a little pop up screen to remove wind noise - that's worked perfectly so can now cruise in silence with the visor open. But the bike has been great so far, especially after dialling in the suspension a little...well pretty much maxing out preload!
I've done a couple longer trips and am now about 600 miles in. As well as the screen extender, I have hard wired in a wireless phone holder - the same one I had on the Triumph (cheap Aliexpress deal, but lasted 3 years and 5000 miles on the last bike without fault).
I was also keen to get a top box, but wanted the smallest one I could get. Was going to get the Givi Trekker 42, but spotted some generic Chinese copies in 36l size. I popped one in my basket on Temu of all places, but decided £70 or so was too much for something I was probably going to be disappointed in. A few days later, I got an email saying I could have it for £36 if I ordered that day so took a punt. It's turned up and fitted and it's mightily impressive for the money...if it goes rusty or leaks, then I will maybe consider replacing. But it's fine for now and not too bulky:
I am contemplating getting SW Motech Evo pedals for a little more legroom, but it pretty comfy as is. I have ordered the High Comfort Seat though which should help for long distance comfort.
Will try and keep this thread updated and report back any issues (it's an Italian bike after all!). The colour is growing on me as well!
Nice bike and a good deal.
I've watched a few YT vids and people seem to really like them. I don't have room for another bike at the moment but when my Tiger1200 PCP is up next year I may consolidate and I think this will be on my shortlist.
Agree about the Tenere - I ordered one when they were new but once I saw one I did think it was pretty cheapo and decided against it.
I've watched a few YT vids and people seem to really like them. I don't have room for another bike at the moment but when my Tiger1200 PCP is up next year I may consolidate and I think this will be on my shortlist.
Agree about the Tenere - I ordered one when they were new but once I saw one I did think it was pretty cheapo and decided against it.
Krikkit said:
I think that looks absolutely fantastic - the colours and styling are a very 80s/90s Dakar bike kind of vibe, which is great imho.
With the rave reviews of the Tuono and RS 660 it's no surprise this is another good machine.
Just what I was thinking. Without the plate you'd probably take it for something a bit older due to the styling and design. I like it!With the rave reviews of the Tuono and RS 660 it's no surprise this is another good machine.
KTMsm said:
They've been on my radar since I hired one in Spain
They seem to win most tests when pitted against the T7 yet they just don't seem to get the sales
I guess most pick Yamaha for the bulletproof reliability
Yeh, reliability was a bit patchy on the early models, but seems to have been ironed out TBH. We will see They seem to win most tests when pitted against the T7 yet they just don't seem to get the sales
I guess most pick Yamaha for the bulletproof reliability
guitarcarfanatic said:
KTMsm said:
They've been on my radar since I hired one in Spain
They seem to win most tests when pitted against the T7 yet they just don't seem to get the sales
I guess most pick Yamaha for the bulletproof reliability
Yeh, reliability was a bit patchy on the early models, but seems to have been ironed out TBH. We will see They seem to win most tests when pitted against the T7 yet they just don't seem to get the sales
I guess most pick Yamaha for the bulletproof reliability
Biker9090 said:
What were the issues out of interest?
Minor stuff really - leaks from the engine/ water pump were noted on some early bikes (easy fix), fuel senders tend to go a bit funny and incorrectly assembled front fork (only one side) meaning they could be a little harsh at speed. Now all of that should have been sorted, but some 2024 bikes might still have the fork issue - one of the parts is installed in reverse, but unless doing loads of off road, apparently unnoticeable. The engine is well proven and reliable judging by other bikes it's installed in. Tuned down by 20hp with a boost of torque across the rev range.
Just looked at them properly. They do seem almost unbelievable value for money.
How much of an actual issue is the 1 piece frame on them though? Like how much of a drop does it really need for you to be done for?
I was mesmerised by a guy absolutely sending his Tenere along single track lanes and stacking it at speed. He just picks it up and sends it again.
How much of an actual issue is the 1 piece frame on them though? Like how much of a drop does it really need for you to be done for?
I was mesmerised by a guy absolutely sending his Tenere along single track lanes and stacking it at speed. He just picks it up and sends it again.
Biker9090 said:
Just looked at them properly. They do seem almost unbelievable value for money.
How much of an actual issue is the 1 piece frame on them though? Like how much of a drop does it really need for you to be done for?
I was mesmerised by a guy absolutely sending his Tenere along single track lanes and stacking it at speed. He just picks it up and sends it again.
Check youtube - these bikes take proper abuse! How much of an actual issue is the 1 piece frame on them though? Like how much of a drop does it really need for you to be done for?
I was mesmerised by a guy absolutely sending his Tenere along single track lanes and stacking it at speed. He just picks it up and sends it again.
Congrats - that looks fab. I rode one when it first came out and really enjoyed it! I was looking at the new rally version and it looks fab - I just don't have a local Aprilia dealer which put me off a bit. I'm hopefully getting my T7 next week, which I know will be top heavier than the Aprilia!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff