Dirt an Trail July 2022

Ts&C
While I dumbly and numbly pick my jaw up
off the floor, I need to tell you that the all
new Aprilia 660 Tuareg is a phenomenal bike
in most respects and quite a revelation to
ride. That little 659cc mill is nothing short of
revolutionary, redlining somewhere around the
10k mark and blowing by most bigger capacity
bikes like they were standing still. My take
way from riding this bike is that it is 1000cc
performance packaged in a 660cc guise. But
that raises another question: That much strain
to produce that much delicious power, what
effect is that going to have on the longevity of
this little beauty?
In Urban mode, from idle to about 2,300rpm
the throttle response felt a bit lack luster to me
and then she suddenly comes alive and really
puts a grin on your face, somewhere around
6,500rpm another definite power boost comes
in and the Tuareg really gets going even faster.
I had to roll off at 203kmh when I ran out of
clear freeway to avoid ploughing into the back
of slow moving traffic… and that was running
up quite a serious and long uphill.
Let’s chat about the suspension. 43mm forks
upfront with 240mm travel front and rear and
they work and work very well with the tubular
chassis set up. At 115kg’s in my birthday
suit, I had no problems soaking up the bumps
and the ANC footprints in our roads and the
small section of dirt I did to avoid a beeeg
traffic snarl up I got a lot of feedback and
response from the suspension so much so
that I really gave it horns and did some dumb
stuff on a bike I had only just spent 15 minutes
in the saddle of. Not once did the machine
feel awkward, cumbersome or out of control
which I really appreciated considering I have
buggered up my left shoulder and have to have
it surgically repaired in the not too distant
future.
At this point I was almost forgiving and
possibly understanding of the price tag, still…
R265K for a 660cc?
The kicker for me is the Tuaregs ergonomics.
At 2 meters tall most bikes these days are
cramped, particularly the smaller capacity
bikes. My daily ride is an Africa Twin and I love
that bike for it space and comfort… especially
when I am standing up in the dirt. The Tuareg,
surprisingly for a 660cc is equally as spacious
and comfortable whether I was sitting on the
hard but comfortable saddle or standing up
and going balls to the wall in the dirt.
Wind protection is also surprisingly good, in
fact the aerodynamics were particularly good
all the way past the 200kmh mark.
In summary, we all really, really do like
this bike, 1000cc performance in a comfy,
lightweight, nimble package.
It is unique, brilliant, desirable and all things
Italian. You will, absolutely stand out from the
crowd.
Go ride one for yourself and make up your own
mind.
Website: www.italianmi.co.za
Specs
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse
parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cylinder.
Displacement: 659cc
Bore x Stroke: 81.0 x 63.9mm
Horsepower: 80 hp @ 9,250 rpm (claimed)
Torque: 51.6 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (claimed)
Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/
assist wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 152.4CM
Seat Height: 86.1CM
Wet Weight: 203.663 KG’s
Fuel Capacity: 18.17 litres