2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660

Aprilia's been in and out of the ADV segment over the last 4 decades and now they've decided to enter the most competitive segment of ADV, the middleweights, how good is it this time around, only time will tell.
Thank you Motorrad Berlage: motorradberlage.de/
Without partners like them I would not be able to make videos like this. Please check them out if you live in the Paderborn, Germany area.
Note: I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way, I just have a passion for motorcycles and love to ride them. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is inaccurate, please verify it via the OEM or a knowledgeable third party & please let me know. For any question/enquiries please send an e-mail to [e-mail]
Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:38 Competition
2:02 Powertrain
4:00 Chassis
7:00 Ergonomics
11:00 Controls & Display
12:20 Verdict

[@gregs5738]

Scott, great review. Your comparison charts are very informative. Thank you for compiling them.

[@dorstefan]

A good honest review. Good job as usual.

[@nickb5410]

Great video. Very thorough and I like your presentation style. If this new bike proves reliable, I think it will be a winner in its category.

[@csr2atlasbestsetups35]

For me this is the best adventure bike exists ❤❤❤

[@verdonrocksphotography3510]

I think its great machine for someone who wants to start adventuring in midsize machine, also looks and sounds good too, cheers V!

[@steveross2280]

Good to see you again. I decked out a Himalayan, then sold it, was a little too small coming from many GSs. I wanted something smaller for camping, throwing it in the back of the truck. So now looking for a middleweight bike, would like to see some nice soft bags for this and a tank bag. Thanks for the video, swerve carefully!

[@johnfox8111]

Another great review - thanks!

[@dukie1616]

Another well done review👍👍 I’d take the Tenere, if for nothing else it’s dependability and affordable parts. By the way looks like you’ve been staying in shape👍👍 Keep up the good work!

[@rodhunt5199]

Love the “ghost” transalp in your chart 👍

[@suppersready4you]

Great job as always Scott, thanks for the review I like this Tuareg a lot and the Aprilia finish is hard to bit unless is a Honda..

[@solusquinto3086]

As a long distance touring rider I loved the power delivery of the Tuareg 660. It grants you a very relaxed experience and I would expect it to work pretty good offroad.

[@zyonsdream]

Traded n my Africa Twin Adventure on this bike last week. So far I’m loving it. With it being 100lbs lighter, it feels like it has more power than the Africa. I like the fact that it revs higher and the torque comes on later. For a 660, it can run the highway all day long at 85 and still get almost 50 miles per gallon.

[@epoxone]

Enjoy that bike. Did a testride and ultimately decided to go with the KTM 890 Adv R. Was relaly torn between these two. The Aprilia is such good value!

[@williamrae9954]

I went from a Yamaha Tracer 900 to a Tracer7, shave another 20kg off of it, and it's a far better bike...a lot lighter, comfier than a Tenere 700 too, 17litre tank!

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review, nice motorcycle!

[@speedfinder1]

I had the chance to ride the Tenere 700 World Raid Edition and the Tuareg 660 back to back on the same day for three hours each. I've ordered an Aprilia Tuareg 660. Most striking to me was that the Aprilia seemed to be an easier to ride motorcycle with less demands on the rider. It was simply a more refined machine for me as I will mostly be riding country back, tarmac roads and not across the Sahara desert. I'm based in Europe so the dealer network is just as good or better in some cases than Yamaha.

[@epoxone]

Good choice. My impressions were 2 days apart, but i liked the Tuareg way better. Mind you, i compared it to the normal Tenere. Ultimately ended up with a 890 Adv R, but i was really torn in my decision.

[@toltod]

Great review! Would have been cool to do road tests with each ride mode. I've also heard that you can use the custom map to make something better than the defaults.

[@_Makanko_]

Nice review. I think they did a great job and it stands nicely with a Tenere. It would be a more expensive bike to buy and own but worth it for the Italian look and feel, maybe ...

[@TheQ427]

Hi Scott, thanks for your vid in the usual high quality - production and content alike! You didn't mention any vibrations and engine heat. Any comments on those points? Stay safe

[@NothingToProve]

Thank you! Actually the vibration on the 660 is low when compared to the other P-twins in this segment and heat, well it was kind of a chilly & windy day when I had it out so I can't give an opinion on that, sorry. take care, Scott

[@brucekendall52]

A better buy than the T7.Tubless,cruise control.quick shifter,better suspension etc.

[@malikknows3510]

Yes, you nailed. Superior in several ways. Dependability is THE question, time will tell.

[@HippoDrones]

It is a cracking bike, I love mine to bits! 🙂

[@Dave-sw2dm]

Quick shifter is an option in the states. I rode one this past Saturday. Nice bike.

[@martyn_g]

@@malikknows3510 spot on. If it’s unreliable, it doesn’t matter how much better it is

[@stevenross9042]

@@HippoDrones I hope “cracking” is a good thing? Lol

[@illuminista4597]

I fully concur with your analysis. I tried T700 and liked it a lot for everything but: lack of tubeless (safety) and cruise control are a big down for me. Moreover, standard springs are too soft for me. To change to tubeless wheels would even the cost difference with the basic tuareg. Yamaha has a well, proven reliability and more diffuse assistance over the world. Aprilia has still to prove the long term reliability and need to increase the number of dealers. Tuareg has maps (I do not care much about), optional quickshifter, option of having abs on front wheel only, more adjustment for the suspensions. I found the position for standing on the pegs ergonomically better for Yamaha. T700 however has an annoying profile of the engine for the right foot. If I was able to find an used T700 at a reasonable price that would be my choice: spared money would go in mounting tubeless rims and better suspensions. But used T700 currently are just 10-15% below the brand new price, so this is not a viable option. Given that the new, costlier T700 has an useless larger and double tank but still has tubes, probably I’ll go for the tuareg since new transalp is still not on the horizon. Keep up with your interesting reviews!

[@allans7281]

Another great review! I like your review style. It looks pretty nice in person very comfortable bike. Regarding your critique on the low end torque, what gear were you in? Thx

[@NothingToProve]

Thank you! Gear was not the issue, between 3-5k RPM, it just needs more torque when compared to the other bikes in this group. Ex. Tenere 700, Versys 650, 750GS, to get the same feel/pull as those bikes this needs to be 1,500 RPM higher & that means that one has to work harder shifting and being in a lower gear to get the same pull/torque. take care, Scott

[@billboardprint]

As an owner of 2009 Aprilia Pegaso Trail....it does look like Aprilia, it does sound like an Aprilia, and after testing it, it does ride like an Aprilia. And the power doesn't even seem that different from my 50hp Pegaso Trail!

[@larryvanputten4048]

Two thumbs up review as ever, Scott! I agree with you that an adv bike should have as much as low down tork as possible. It revs too much at a 100 km/h as well, that makes it not a comfortable touring machine. For the rest it’s lovely but I wouldn’t buy it as a 60-70-80 % roadbike. Just too much offroad directed for a dualsport?

[@peterdejong1610]

Nice review as always. Two piston calipers on the front not four.

[@jgjgr4177]

This is far better than the Tenere! On and off road! 😉 This bike is the best in its class. It's a lot of fun and the price is right!

[@epoxone]

I tested the T7, 890 Adventure R and the Aprilia in the last two weeks. Im torn between the 890 and the Tuareg, and that says a lot in my opinion. With Quickshifer and factoy heated grips there is a 3k € price difference. Need to think hard about this.

[@stephenchapman8344]

Nice bike. 👍

[@jamesdumas6602]

What about the Heat on your Right Foot from that Catalytic Converter?

[@Fee.1]

So question is this, Tenere, or 890 adventure …I have to include the 890 because it’s so light. A few pounds of weight for 30 some HP

[@lovelessissimo]

I am loving these reviews. Isn't the Versys 650 kind of out of the category a bit?

[@___Tom]

Hi, great vid as ever on your channel! do you have the comparison spreadsheet of all the different motorcycles for download anywhere? Thanks, Tom

[@NothingToProve]

No I don't, sorry. 😒

[@___Tom]

@@NothingToProve 😞

[@wazreba5859]

What the gear on BMW GS 650 at speed 37 km/h 10:08 one more time?

[@elijames3041]

Vary nice bike

[@henrietn]

it's pretty expensive though in it's standard form. The factory accessories are BMW expensive. if you want the "factory" guards and rear rack, and you do want those options in my view, its + 1100 euro. For the price as standard, it should come at least with a default rear rack Aprilia. I configured one in Belgium with guards, rack, touring windscreen & central stand...13.500 euro.. This means, prepped and without luggage from the dealer, it's a 14k bike.

[@mickleblade]

Ouch!

[@stevenross9042]

That’s good to know, I would want everything you mentioned on mine.

[@epoxone]

Yeah, that went through my head aswell. As of yet, there is not much aftermarket stuff for that bike. Payed significantly more for my 890 Adv R, but the aftermarket is on it since the 790 came out.

[@alexmorgan3435]

Does it have a fuel gauge as Aprilia have historically been fuel gauge averse?

[@NothingToProve]

Yes!

[@davidmallia628]

With all the teasing of the Yamaha T7, and lack of availability, this Tuareg is really welcome, and they seem have outdone the Yamaha. Only doubt I have is reliability, especially of the engine. If the reliability proves to approache that of the T 7, I see this bike as superior. to the T7.

[@TwoWheeledBooBear]

Seems odd that you'd take the bike with less suspension, more weight (contrary to your chart, the T7 is a bit heavier than the Tuareg), higher center of gravity, tube type wheels/tires and pretty much inferior in every other way (apart from the cost) - over the Aprilia. I mean this with no snark intended - do you spend a lot of time offroad on 2 wheels? That aside, I enjoyed the review. Comfort is a big deal and it sounds like this is a surprisingly comfortable machine.

[@NothingToProve]

"The heart wants what the heart wants". I just felt more "at home" on the Tenere. Picking a bike is like picking a girl friend, not logical, 100% emotional. Logically yes, I even liked the TFT better and adj. forks...etc. I said it in the video several times, even while riding, "this just does not feel like an Aprilia" meaning I didn't quiet get or understand this bike. I think Aprilia was trying to be too much like the Tenere and not be it's self, that's what put me off a bit. But if one has never ridden a Tenere, they'd probably love this bike AND just maybe I would too (and wet weights are exactly the same according to both Yamaha and Aprilia, btw, I go by OEM on all my numbers simply because magazines will get different numbers and all claim to be "right", whereas OEMs have a legal obligation to follow standards but this can also be compromised but it's the most consistent place to get numbers from a legal prospective). This felt like a Tenere trying to be a Tiger 900, which I almost bought a Tiger 900 GT earlier this spring, spent time on both Tigers, a lot of time on the 900 Rally Pro off-road too (single track trail - all day by myself). Every bike has their own personality and this one was lacking, great bike yes, but what is it? hard to explain, as is with some bikes and this was just one of those bikes. take care, Scott

[@747driver3]

Nice parachute.

[@travelinben1966]

Hey Scott, My Guzzi dealer dropped this line.He said they weren’t selling.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@paulvanhout9695]

Lack of dealer support an issue in the USA as well.

[@brianq103]

I had to lower my Tenere to reach the ground comfortably which meant I lost some of the travel in the back. With this having more travel but with a lower seat height, it makes it an intriguing option for me. Reliability? Aye, theres the rub.

[@davidmallia628]

With reliability, only time will tell.

[@TwoWheeledBooBear]

So far the 660 platform is proving itself to be quite reliable. Let's hope the rest of the bike is equally up to task.

[@HippoDrones]

I love my Tuareg 660, the lower seat height is a super bonus, as I am short, but am hoping the low seat option arrives soon, as that will help with confidence in the dirt! 🙂

[@aaronkratzmann9703]

I am on my 2nd Aprilia and reliability has been good for me. Would love to add a Tuareg if I could afford another bike.

[@sickunit2096]

If Im being picky, Id like the torque a little sooner in the revs. But, with that being said, the bike is excellent at slow speed maneuvering in dirt in 1st and 2nd gear. Otherwise, Im so in love with this bike.

[@NothingToProve]

Yea, agreed, I didn't take it on dirt but right away I noticed the short first two gears and realized it'd be great for dirt. BUT for the street, which is where we spend most of the time on an ADV bike, was kind of irritating. So a lot of the time I took off in 2nd gear...problem fixed 😁👍🤦‍♂️

[@sickunit2096]

@@NothingToProve I should have mentioned that the tubeless wheels is a big plus over the T7.

[@stevenross9042]

Another tester mentioned gearing it up a little bit by changing the front sprocket. Might be a good idea to lower revs/vibrations at higher speeds?

[@rzeznikkeynes5686]

Ducati desert x please, thnk u

[@Fee.1]

Interesting I guess they didn’t do much motor/gearing work. Not only is it heavier but they haven’t moved the torque down…not sure how that will fly

[@chrishart8548]

They moved the torque up. Thats why it has more hp than the T700 it has less capacity so is already at a torque disadvantage.

[@Fee.1]

@@chrishart8548 you’re confused

[@chrishart8548]

@@Fee.1 I'm not confused it's just probably not put into words very well. This 660 is going to need the revs to work more so than the T700

[@luizz_k]

The only thing is that hideous tank cap... Hope they come up with a flush solution sometime in the future

[@rightwingsafetysquad9872]

Now Triumph needs to make a Tiger 660 Rally.

[@NothingToProve]

Hmm...now that'd be interesting in deed!

[@martyn_g]

I’ll take the T7 - in Australia, reliability is king. We have a lot of nowhere!

[@epoxone]

Easy pick in that kind of environment.

[@Toonces311]

Aprillia is close. but the lack of low end torque makes me choose the T7 everytime

[@allans7281]

With shorter gears as you mentioned you would think it would hv more torque down low

[@Fee.1]

What’s the benefit of air cooled?

[@davidmallia628]

Less complication, and things to go wrong, but with the same cc you derive less power.

[@davidmallia628]

I do not know why you say you would take the t7 for more off road riding, when the Tuareg has better specs for off road, or so I believe. Correct me if I am wrong. As for on road you are certainly right, the Aprilia is more fun in the Twisties, agile, sporty, and with lower seat, lower centre of gravity. Even has cruise control. The only thing I see where the T7 has an edge, is it's legendary reliability. Otherwise the Tuareg is superior in all aspects.

[@Fee.1]

@@davidmallia628 who are you talking to? In the T7 comment I mean

[@davidmallia628]

@@Fee.1 to the reviewer 'nothing to prove'.

[@Fee.1]

@@davidmallia628 ah gotcha, I can’t see his comment for some reason. Do you still see it?

[@TempusFugit2K]

Truly Puzzled.... Smaller Engine, More Power, More Torque, More Suspension Front & Back, Greater Fuel Range, Better center of Gravity, Wide Spectrum & Configurable Engine Electronics, Tubeless Wheels, Cruise Control, Awesome TFT Display..... if all this (that I remember) and no real problems/issues found does not add up to be a "Superior Bike" then what will?

[@NothingToProve]

Yep, sometimes the numbers don't add up to real life. But and this is a big but, it is a very good bike when compared to the other bikes in this group, it's just a bike not for me. Bikes are like picking girl friends, we'll all pick different ones :) take care, Scott

[@mabsbry1318]

Put 1 tooth less on the front - wouldn’t this bring your torque a bit lower?

[@luckylarrikin1439]

Would be quicker off-the-line . . . . . that what I did for my bike (S1KRR)

[@nose2wind872]

Increases the rpm down low which equates to more power.

[@NotNowCato1254]

No. That would reduce the overall gearing, so the engine will be revving a bit higher for the same road speed - bringing you closer to peak torque. The pick-up would therefore be snappier at the same speed.

[@mickleblade]

Bikes like this are great over speed bumps, just ignore them! Obviously within the speed limit....

[@eivinherfindal6658]

It have same torque curve as t7

[@chrishart8548]

An old honda varado 1000 those are heavy bikes

[@Adrian-ru5so]

Tenere every time. Been on both and I found the Aprilia a bit cheap below the surface and using the electronics to hide deficiencies . Also add the extras and the Taureg is very bad value for money. Another fact is that a recent review done on 1st service oil composition found Ducati and Aprilia as very bad only worsened by a Chinese manufacture . Yamaha were all within industry tolerances , Italian and Chinese bikes were not . Therefore a Yamaha will last a lot longer and have less problems

[@PLGAZA]

You obviously haven’t a clue

[@chrishart8548]

9,250rpm is way to high in the revs for an off road bike.

[@NotNowCato1254]

Sounds as if the design mission was to beat the T7 on all counts. I'm guessing this included outright power rather than midrange driveability - fat torque baby. By upping the top end power they screwed up the midrange. Cake and eat it 🙄.

[@NothingToProve]

Yep, you got it exactly right! Midrange is where it's at and this was just lacking, sure it had some but imho not enough to beat the CP2 in the Tenere. This was great in the top end but how often do ADV riders take a motor to the top end, not often, that's for sure. take care, Scott

[@marcox8810]

... "it doesn't feel like an Aprilia chassis"...what does that mean ?😆

[@NothingToProve]

ride all the other Aprilia's and then this. Then you'll know.

[@TriumphLover]

Sounded like you were trying to convince yourself to give it a good review. The way you Sounded when you got on the power, sounded disappointed. I'm not liking the look. Just my opinion. Love your videos man.

[@NothingToProve]

Yep, I liked the bike buuuuuut...............the torque was just missing down low 🙄😒😢 take care, Scott

[@johnroberthanna1623]

why do you short shift it instead of wringing out the engine= in each gear.?? I didn't see you once roll the revs to even past 6K. Goodness whack that right wrist and see what it's got.!!! Every-time you are in 1st gear and roll through the gears you might get to 3000 rpm before you shift again -- why??

[@NothingToProve]

Simple, break-in period. Other wise I would have. No need for double question marks, chill.

[@johnroberthanna1623]

@@NothingToProve : chill - OK....I killed a BMW K1200RSA by "breaking it in" by the book - never again will I. You be you, as you and I both know that before the bike left the company it was wrung out, through the gears, on a dyno, just before crating. There is no need to feed the lawyers, run it like you stole it. YMMV

[@jamiecleeves7921]

i had a aprillia and it was absolute shit be very carefull with this new thing please

[@Fee.1]

The only criticism I have of your channel is actually a criticism of GoPro…man the Max is aging poorly

[@NothingToProve]

Yea, I need a drone! Or a new 8k gopro Max would be nice too.

[@Fee.1]

@@NothingToProve I know you didn’t have a great experience and neither did I but I’ve got a Telya as much as it pisses me off to say Insta 360 continues to push out updates and fixes to their cameras far more often and in far more meaningful ways then go pro has been in the last many years. Especially for motorcyclist I genuinely believe the GoPro on the helmet and a Insta 360 one x2 for the 360 camera wherever you choose to place it, that’s is the way to go right now. I have no such features as the One R gave me early on with inconsistent behaviors. It’s also a bit embarrassing that Insta 360 is managing to do things like 360° stabilization without a max lens mod type of thing all on the camera, I really hope GoPro stops taking their position for granted. In a perfect world for me Sony would step up and just teach the action cam market how to do it at least until somebody else comes along I know they’re hesitant to do so because their sensors are found in every camera on the planet basically and they don’t want to look like they are stepping on their customers feet but they did so and DSL ours and I think it’s time they do so an action came too Anyway sorry all that was just to say I think if you tried the One X2 you’d find the experience to be far more reliable than you did when you and I both had a terrible experience with them not reliably recording.

[@Fee.1]

If there was any sign go pro is going to release a new one I might consider holding out but they like to release new cameras every year and they haven’t done that so I genuinely think they’ve given up on 360 for now, they also leak info like a year before release and we haven’t heard a single word about a new 360. Hopefully the new hero Session rumors are true though

[@gabrielkopp2036]

That bike only dynoes at 62hp and aprillia is known to not be very reliable..if you are using this bike as intended cruise control is useless..aprillia copied the tenere..yamaha is proven to be reliable. Just my opinion

[@williamrae9954]

At the REAR wheel...80bhp at the cranks...most 1 litre sportsbikes are lucky to go above 180bhp at the rear wheel, yet over 200 at the crank

[@bikesthatvote2855]

I enjoy your reviews, but the on-bike video is unwatchable for me. The wobbly selfie-stick views and rotating camera views give me a headache &/or stomach ache. Maybe others like that, but that's when I stop watching.