Having teased us for two years, we finally get to find out if the wait for the 2021 Aprilia RS 660 was worth it... let's just say rivals should be worried
They say good things come to those who wait, which is exactly what we have been doing - very patiently - for the past two years in anticipation of the moment we - finally - got to achieve today by throwing a leg over the eagerly anticipated Aprilia RS 660 for the first time.
Ever since it was first presented as a concept at EICMA in 2018, the development of the RS 660 has built quite a followership despite the fact it has barely changed from the prototype that hit the stage all that time ago.
Throw in the delaying impact of COVID-19 and the Aprilia RS 660 was beginning to feel more of a dream the longer time dragged on. But if it was a dream then, today is the reality as we took full opportunity to touch, scrutinise, punish and enjoy the RS 660 through the twisting mountain roads of Trentino, Italy.
APRILIA RS 660 [2020] - First Impressions REVIEW
There is a lot riding on this model for several reasons, the primary one being that this is a fresh direction for Aprilia. While there is no doubting its sportsbike credentials, the middleweight 660 platform is all-new and will spawn an entire family of models, including a Tuono naked, a Tuareg ADV and race-bred RS Trofeo.
Thus the anticipation rests on the RS 660’s svelte and aerodynamic shoulders to leave a good first impression… which might - on paper - be somewhat tricky given it’s coming to market with ‘only’ 100hp from its parallel twin engine, which doesn’t exactly shout at you when the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha R6 are pushing 140hp.
And yet, the Aprilia RS 660 simply doesn’t need it because it’s so good, we reckon we’d choose it over any rival in the middleweight sportsbike class category, no matter the power output.
Surprised? So were we - find out why power isn’t always everything… (Video above )
Rest assured, we will be bringing you the FULL VERDICT as soon as it is in and uploaded to be read and watched over on the Visordown YouTube Channel.
In the meantime, watch this video detailing the specs, the features and the rivals it must defeat, not least those aforementioned big boy rivals that may stand to be a little bit worried by this new kid in town...
