Aprilia Tuareg 660 | In-Depth Features & Specs (EP 2)

[@BigRockMoto]

🏍 SUPPORT BIG ROCK MOTO BY USING THESE LINKS! ⚠Rocky Mountain Store: bit.ly/33kgRIz ⚠Revzilla Store: imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN ⚠Mosko Moto: moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto ⚠Amazon Store: amzn.to/3viGZ0A ⚠Merchandise : big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/ ⚠Patreon: www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia NEW! 2023 Mid-Size ADV Buyer's Guide PDF: bit.ly/3NRlP2a 🏍 SERIES PREVIEW: 1. Why I Bought it 2. Features/Specs/Tour (you're here!) 3. Practical or Not? (maintenance, seat height, etc) 4. Highway Test 5. Off Road Test 6. Pros/Cons 7. Reliability/Issues 8. Q&A 9. vs. Competition

[@JSAVGA]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKW3Yp9ubLKpnJY Yes, I would like a small video on the phone/infotainment features of the bike. Maybe you could expand also on the service features and settings (Shift points, etc.) in the electronics.

[@noahjpacifico]

Which video do you show how to connect Bluetooth from phone to TFT display?

[@turbolag5107]

A quick note for you and the fans about this bike. You mentioned being able to change the traction control by using the cruise control switches while on the traction control display. I just wanted to point out that you don't need to be on that screen to make your adjustments. As long as the cruise control is off you can make those adjustments on the fly from any one of those displays it will just automatically switch to the traction control display and you can also turn it off on the fly by toggling down to one and then holding it and it will set to zero

[@p.a.sudhir7951]

One of the best KZbin channels that gives excellent info regarding anything one wants to know about motorcycles and touring from someone who knows the subject inside out.

[@p.a.sudhir7951]

@J Bar I can understand your frustration.

[@riderinsanjose337]

Not only does he know the subject inside and out, he has a great voice, cadence and presents the content in a way that is very understandable. No fancy visuals, headbanger music or other forms of stupidity. It's a pleasure listening to what this man puts out.

[@OneOldManRiding]

I really appreciate what you did here. The walk-around was incredibly detailed, far more information than anyone else has done. Thank you. - Frank

[@johnroberthanna1623]

I was all ready to look very hard at the Yamaha T7 - then watching your vid's on this Tuareg 660 has completely changed my mind. Full of features and light years above the others including that lovely T7. Great Great video

[@joshdoddadbod]

The more i watch on this bike the more it seems like one of the best designed and definitely the best value middleweight adv bike. It could pull me away from wanting a t7.

[@putelis]

As a brand new rider your walk around was way more in depth and educational than anything else done before and Ive watched it all. Thanks!

[@daveinwla6360]

This *excellent video series* will be definitive for the Tuareg 660. I especially like the *details* such as compression ratio (13:1, whew!), compression/rebound damping adjustments on both wheels, ABS settings, tubeless rims with edge-mounted spokes, low fuel tank, left-hand cruise control, back-lit data display, and settings saved during engine shut off. This is definitely a bike *designed by riders* .

[@razorcain74]

Drop test and checking the electronic settings after a restart are the backbone of this channel. Keep up the good work!

[@GIGABACHI]

One of my favorite things about it it's the absence of the stupid beak. Same for the Desert X and Tenere.

[@jorgehumbertoboada8718]

It will be cool to have a garage tour and see the 3 Pros and cons of each to keep it short and sweet

[@dancarlin5434]

Aprilia did thier homework, although if they bumped the msrp to that of a new dual-sportable Enduro bike they could squeeze in an adjustable windscreen and a 2 pice subframe, better gas cap, perhaps even a more sturdy skid plate. Great work Ian, this is the most comprehensive and real world review I have seen yet on the Touareg. I greatly appreciate how you include aspects that us older gen Enduro riders who expect and plan to have to make trailside repairs and maintenance want to know.

[@petergarratt9645]

The benefit to the weld on subframe is the carrying capacity, I think it has the highest carrying capacity of all the midsize adv bikes

[@_Makanko_]

Very useful info. Great to hear a pov from an expert in providing mods for bikes. I would appreciate a separate video on the phone integration. It's a detail many gloss over so I hope you consider it. Thanks

[@maxw576]

Ian - Your consistency and stability when recording the dash details is very much appreciated! I watch using my phone and youtube's zoom feature to see the dash details. Your consistency allowed me to enjoy without having to constantly adjust, which is the norm. I thought you should know. Thank you.

[@mart7404]

Thanks Ian. I love my Tuareg. A phone interface video would be appreciated. cheers

[@motomoto7082]

Great content! I was really considering an aprilia tuareg 660 but decided to go with a used KTM 690 Enduro R instead. I watched all the videos you have for them both (and many more of your videos) and decided the KTM was right for me and my style of riding. I appreciate your unbiased in depth reviews. Keep up the good work, fella!

[@MV-XD2]

I have to say this bike looks fantastically well thought out and manufactured. From the fully adjustable suspension front and rear (how many bikes have any adjustment on the front alone nowadays - BMW I’m looking at your midrange bikes), to the super solid side stand and cool tank design. The fuel cap is the only niggle - how much does a hinge cost! Aprilia certainly has a very individual approach to bike design and manufacture that’s a breath of fresh air and add something genuinely different, without approaching MV Agusta pricing. Well done!

[@actstuntcam]

The only other design floor is the stupidly tall seat height and non-adjustable seat, plus a totally exposed engine that will be destroyed the second you hit it with a rock... I agree about the tank and good-quality adjustable suspension, but for that money it bloody well should have.

[@slakk5093]

@@actstuntcam isn’t the seat height lower than most of the competitors in its class, while still having better ground clearance? My wr250r has a seat height of 930mm and the Tuareg has a seat height of 860mm. The Tenere is 880mm.

[@actstuntcam]

@@slakk5093 My Africa Twin has a seat height of 851mm. That is in the tall position, it has a seat height 25mm lower in the low position (a key turn and 10 seconds of work to change). This amazing piece of technology (Basically some molded plastic) would add nothing to the cost of production and ad basically nothing in weight. The Africa Twin has almost exactly the same ground clearance as the Taureg (10mm less). If you dropped the Taureg 25mm front and rear it would have less ground clearance than the Africa Twin (AND the Taureg's motor is totally exposed, so lowering it seems like a bad idea). You could buy their low seat, but why should you have to? I rode a Taureg this week, it feels lighter than the Africa Twin but carries its weight higher. The seat height wasn't much of an issue on road, but in rough terrain, it would probably start to annoy me. My Africa Twin is 8 years old - where is the improvement in these new bikes really??? They don't impress me at all. Anyway cheers for your reply. I probably overreacted a bit - but come on, it is like they can't learn from earlier successes and just keep bringing out bikes with stupid design mistakes. Cam from NZ (P.S - I'm the same height and weight as this reviewer, but 10 years older).

[@slakk5093]

@@actstuntcam fair enough, I’m going to ride a Tuareg today so will hold my comments as I haven’t ridden one yet. I was very keen on the T7 until I test rode it, way too top heavy, everything else was great though

[@slakk5093]

@@actstuntcam ok, so I went and test rode the Tuareg today. Absolutely better weight distribution than the Tenere. Felt so balanced and stable on the road and took it around a carpark for some slow speed manoeuvres. Really impressed. I want one now

[@davidrahbany]

Excellent overview with emphasis on the things that set this bike apart. Nicely done.

[@MrEtnorb]

Looking at the screen, you could easily make 2 metal risers the raise it. Nobody in the world does the detailed walk around like Ian, it is extremely useful

[@riko.4174]

Great review, I would appreciate a video regarding the phone integration. I am really curious if you are forced to use some kind of aprilia's proprietary app to use the navigation or whether it works with variety of apps like google maps and so on.

[@osimnod]

Another detailed review by one of the best on YT. The Tuareg checks a lot of boxes in the mid-weight ADV category. Looking forward to your entire series on it.

[@willyclarkenorway]

Takk!

[@vnsfxr]

Thank you for all the detail and many points that no one else has covered. Aprilia owes you for this level of detail!!!

[@BLove-k1u]

I was going for a 2023 BNW F750 GS, then a 2024 BW F800 GS. I am impressed with the Honda Transalp and even more impressed with this Tuareg 660 ... Incredible! It has cruise control and tubeless tires over the Transalp. I love that. It also has plenty of power and suspension travel for me. I like the all black w/ red or black/yellow. Ian, I think you sold me ... I guess ya just did! And if I can get it at or near your price I'm good.

[@marnienrichaaron5813]

We got to sit on one of these a couple of weeks ago. The seating seems really good for 2 up from our perspective. We did not ride it but the fit, finish and overall feel was very nice. Thanks for the tour, the details you provide are excellent! Really looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@barendfourie6687]

The 91 gas is a big issue for me it run up your feul cost and its not readily available in some remote places found that out with my star venture.

[@SuperCheesyMan]

throw a few bottles of octane booster in your backpack

[@talltale9760]

Gotta remember you’re still getting extremely good gas mileage. My bike takes 91 but is still cheaper than driving my car (gets about 36mpg and uses 87) due to getting better gas mileage.

[@inrptn]

Thank you so much Ian! I'm really impressed with T660 and seriously considering getting one next year wit the 2023 model. Your series is invaluable.

[@SayHeyToShea]

Just rode my buddies new one for about 10 minutes today through a nice curvy road. The bike feels amazing. Doesn't seem top heavy at all, corners well, sounds amazing and has great power. I was extremely impressed. Felt very natural and easy to ride. Definitely top of my lift for bikes to buy

[@paulh3358]

Thanks for a very useful video Ian. I am seriously considering this bike and would love to see a separate video showing phone integration. Subscribed!

[@Rick92040]

I like the gas cap. The flip up kind always gets in my way.

[@philiplaurell1163]

This is really great. Thank you. And special thanks for also translate units into metrics for us Europeans. Looking forward to viewing more. Cheers from Sweden

[@mannygarcia1810]

I've been binge watching your videos this Thanksgiving weekend. I have a T7, 22 KLR, KTM 350 EXC, BMW R9Tand a Multistrada V4 and your videos are always playing in the garage while I'm working on the bikes

[@angrytuareg]

you're the best reviewer on this Tube ..thanks brother ...standing by for next one

[@CGreciful]

Hey Neighbor, I live in the Sierras and coming back from a 10 year motorcycle hiatus in my life. Going to the store for milk is basically adventure riding here. Ugh, so hard to decide between Tuareg & T7. You're info is priceless.

[@beartrax7709]

Really like your reviews, long time subscriber, I would humbly ask you to include air filter access, esp on the adv/dual sport bikes. Thanks Bear

[@BoogiemanMoto]

Just watched this. Loved it, you went into so much detail on the walk around I picked up some things I had not known previously. And I’ve watched every video on this bike in English that I could find. The gas tank design is very impressive, I had no idea it went that low in the frame. The fork’s having compression on one side and rebound on the other I didn’t know, and is convenient. The ability to change the brightness of the DRL was also something I didn’t know. Every time I learn something new about this bike it becomes more impressive to me. Loved the dash and riding mode tour as well. One thing you might have missed on the traction control, if you have the menu screen set where you can change the TC by rocking the cruise button up and down, you can also do a long press down to shut it off completely. I believe that’s only while in off road and individual mode. And as with the other mode settings, you can do it while you’re moving with a closed throttle.

[@Hoshi_Toranaga]

Holy moly that was awesome. Your videos are really in-depth unlike many other channels where you leave with more questions. Please keep doing it this way, absolutely amazing work.

[@Avensur]

Thanks Ian. It's a great thing you go in depth about the Touareg. I like it very much but I got my thoughts about it. Parts, which probably will be or is a hassle to get it. Service I believe should be ok but will see. And some areas that definitely needs to be upgraded. Got my eyes on this one and T7 world raid. Great channel, keep it up.

[@kendalljoseph7262]

Your videos on the Tuareg are a big reason I bought one. Even got the same color, love the Acid Gold. It was the only bike that checked all the boxes for me. I was also considering a T7 (couldn't find one), Transalp (not as off-road worthy), or the new Vstrom DE (just didn't excite me). Please do a video on the Mia+ module. I'm considering adding it, but I would love to know more about it first.

[@andrewkitchenuk]

Excellent vid. Going for a test ride tomorrow and always helps knowing how it all works without having to keep asking the sales guy who may or may not have the knowledge of the bike.

[@atticusrides5545]

I’m on the verge of buying a new 2022 KTM 890 Adventure R, that’s been discounted by £2000. I’ve been guided by your experience and informative videos. Thanks and keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@RamblingRuters]

Great overview brother! As a Tuareg owner and having a Multistrada V4S, the mode settings switching between modes is pretty fast, fastest I've seen on many adv bikes I've rode, keep it simple but good quality overall.

[@georgepartsch2026]

@The Alpha Mentoring Group: How do you like your Tuareg?

[@lessmore444]

Thanks for the thorough walk around Ian. Hanging the ‘splash guard’ off brackets mounted to the engine seems a little suspect. More burly aftermarket skid plates could wind up transferring forces to places unwanted.

[@BigRockMoto]

correct

[@urbanadventurer5]

I just got home from looking at one and sitting on it for a bit right before the shop closed. It’s a nice bike that ticks a lot of the boxes. It felt bigger than I expected, which is kind of a bummer for me. I think it’s a great value and good design though. I am planning to go see the 890 Adventure sometime next week and then I will have been able to see pretty much all of my upgrade options in person and now know how they fit or don’t fit my body, which has been really helpful.

[@garoldpowell863]

Can you confirm whether a damaged kickstand sensor will disable the motorcycle. Thank you for your efforts.

[@danielburns5682]

Been waiting for this one! Great job.

[@ride4adventure]

Hey Ian, I would love to see how the infotainment & Nav features work. Is it easy and useful or just a me too gimmick? Did you have to pay extra for it?

[@Irtax]

I'm waiting on the kit to arrive at my dealer. You do pay extra. I think MSRP on the part is $250. Obviously, negotiable during purchase.

[@emfl4437]

Great video, thanks for all the effort putting these together. I would be interested in learning if Aprilia allows you to work on the bike or if it is going the route of having it serviced at the dealer. For example, does it require a special device to reset the service light.

[@leonperdomo33]

Awesome! Really looking forward to watch this Tuareg series !!! Have you Ian ever considered reviewing a Scrambler one? Off road character obviously. I yearn for a Ducati Desert Sled, it would be sick to hear your opinions about it. Cheers

[@lifesjourneyat50]

As usual always the best....my bike died a couple days ago with only 495 miles...I hope dealer has answer. I also reached out to Kurt on making parts so that's funny. Glad you do the in depth reviews...mine are impressions...keep up the great work and I'll keep you posted on mine. Hoping it's an easy thing...the bike is a great ride!!! Look forward to more!!!

[@painsrides]

This is not good to hear. I know any machine can have its issues, but it can't help but shake your confidence in the bike. Hope its a simple fix.

[@BigRockMoto]

It won't start, or ?.

[@lifesjourneyat50]

@@BigRockMoto going 70 down HWY and just started to die...it starts...gears shift...but won't go more than 15mph. Once I get to about 15mph no drive and just revs....495 miles....no clue. I'll keep you posted taking to dealer tomorrow.

[@SethJayson]

@@lifesjourneyat50 Ouch. One of my worries on this bike is dealer support. Nearest one to me will be 125 miles away or more. Of course same distance for the lower-end bikes I'm looking at, but I don't expect those to have the same potential for problems.

[@lifesjourneyat50]

@@SethJayson the dealer I bought from is 400miles away..so a long journey day after Thanksgiving...haha...good luck...Im sure I'm the anomaly...vs norm...

[@Skiamakhos]

Wit hthe shape of that headlight, I'd be so tempted to put googly eyes on the lower windscreen supports so it looks like it's got this crazy grin. What an awesome bike for the price!

[@spencervidal3168]

There are a plethora of aftermarket skid plates out there. The best one I have found to date comes from T-Rex racing. They have a full range of protection parts for the Tuareg.

[@marcmonreal1376]

Another extremely detailed and fantastic Review Ian. Looking forward to the rest. thank you!

[@frank_jk]

Thanks Ian. This bike seems like a great value for money. I’d be interested to see more details about the phone interface. Thanks!!

[@nkosinathizungundzabukelwa8782]

This channel always gives detailed information 👌👌👌

[@BigRockMoto]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ozziejim8472]

Well done Ian, you’re settin the bar for bike reviews mate!

[@JOA-S]

really making me wanting to get the tuareg over the tenere with these videos, in my country they are only 200$ apart. reliability is the only thing that concerns me as of now though :)

[@richardhretczak536]

And what country is that?

[@JOA-S]

@@richardhretczak536 Norway

[@chrispawela8109]

Thank you for your in-depth review I would appreciate more information on phone TFT and GPS maps. Thank you I will be picking my 660 up next week.. you have helped me make my decision from to go with the Aprilia instead of V85TT and KLR 650. So thank you again 👍

[@rickvann3489]

Love riding out to Julian, CA and eating Apple Pie back in the day. Use to be a custom knife marker there that made great knives

[@Arkhipov_Andrey]

Hello! Great review! Thank you for your hard work! There are no such high-quality reviews in Russia, I follow you with pleasure! I look forward to continuing! How high is the air filter located please?

[@BigRockMoto]

Top of fuel tank

[@Arkhipov_Andrey]

@@BigRockMoto thanks 👍

[@hvalour1]

The best motorbike reviews on youtube, thanks for sharing!

[@jameskelly4494]

Yes. Please show phone nav integration when you can.

[@stevematthis3199]

Well done. Your videos are great.......

[@gnmurray5955]

21:40 the BMW R1250GS flashes its indicators as a warning when braking aggressively. I think the Hayabusa does too.

[@alexjson]

Great video, thanks! Learnt lots that I didn't know already. Seriously considering this bike now. Reliability and parts are my only concerns now

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

And serious concerns indeed, those two concerns keep me from considering this bike.

[@The_Arby]

Nice one BRM...Always great to watch your in-depth videos 🙂

[@SethJayson]

The yellow paint daubs across screw and bolt heads is brilliant. Need to do that on my bikes.

[@BoogiemanMoto]

That’s what Aprilia does at the factory to indicate everything is torqued/tightened appropriately.

[@SWTrailsAndWheels]

Light colored seating surfaces are underrated. Much cooler in sunny conditions.

[@PapaDougsAdventures01]

Closest Aprilla dealer 2 me is in Seattle and is 235 miles away so this one is not on my list. Thanks for your hard work

[@timhaslum7461]

Superb and very informative, thank you.

[@someguy5035]

Looks nice. As always, I am concerned with reliability and dealer/servicing availability with Italian bikes.

[@KyleMagill]

Really useful primer on the various rider mode adjustments. I tend to get lost in the owners manual.

[@BigRockMoto]

Same here!

[@VelkePivo]

Do you think you'll be able to review the MV Augusta Lucky Explorer when it comes out? Apologies if you discussed this elsewhere.

[@mikaeljonsson2078]

SW Motech seem to have a legit alu skid plate for this bike, that seem to give good cover of all the important bits. It is black, which would perhaps throw some people off, but it fits the color scheme of the bike.

[@BarryRuffnerXD]

Great review, looking like this might be the one for me, the electronics remembering ABS / Traction Control is a huge deal.

[@chriszeis5477]

I really like this bike well thought out and good middle weight bike just wondering about reliability

[@dadge2500]

When you adjust your throttle response, does that not also adjust the timing curve slightly up or down in accordance? Like the KTM and the Yamaha of course I’m talking dirt bikes which are manually switchable and of course a Husqvarna.

[@ryanmalone2681]

On your Tiger 1200 review, loads of people were trying to say saving your TC and ABS setting wasn’t a big deal because it gave you a few second to choose to keep the settings. To be honest, those people probably don’t ride off-road. It’s incredibly annoying not to have it saved or to have to proactively choose it.

[@allans7281]

Damn is that a good looking bike Fun review. I appreciate your passion for motorcycles

[@tomg6284]

Sir, I have an Idea you should try. The cat is a major heat problem by all account. Put an exhaust wrap over it to contain the heat. Just thinking about it, I hope this is a fix? Enjoy your vids.

[@rbrown1339]

Really good job on the review! Thanks for the info.

[@uytouytoo9944]

thats what i have been waiting for.

[@laynetravis]

Love it and uts great bike..love the sound..for now ill tune my xf Suzuki 650:) great channel keep up

[@MultiOutdoorman]

Your GS will have the dynamic brake light feature also !

[@212driller]

Wow this bike was very well thought out. If I was looking for a new adv bike this would be a high consideration.

[@roamingrabbits3929]

Very Detailed Vidoes indeed buddy .... now that you've ridden both the Tuareg 660 and the Desert X ... how would u compare the motorcycles and what would be your pick?!

[@nocebo3355]

Been going back and forth a lot looking for that sweetspot. Been looking a the tiger 900, Desert X and speculating around the lucky explorer 9.5 Right now it feels like the Aprilia hits the closest to the sweetspot, still need to test ride one!

[@BERZERKERSV4]

until you realize that out of the @77 Aprilia "dealers" in the US only @50 are motorcycle dealerships.. the rest deal only with scooters .

[@huskee81]

First of all, I do love how you get into so many details with each of your bikes. But I miss one very important factor so far. I mean how the lights work. I do travel alot and many times I had to drive during the night. I know how important it gets when You've been riding for 10-12 hours and you stuck after sunset in the mountains. I'd appreciate If you took it into considaration :) Good luck mate on the trails

[@BigRockMoto]

Good point!

[@robynmolle5842]

Incredible garage how about a tour?

[@freidrichnietzsche6643]

Hear hear! Give us a garage tour Ian!

[@SethJayson]

Thanks for this. I have seen a lot of vids on this bike now. Thinking of getting back on a cycle and I want something that can cover road miles comfortably as well as plenty of and dirt roads and double-track without issue, and a little single from time to time, and this looks like it. Slightly worried about the heat concerns especially of the cat on the right, but there's so much good looking stuff here and just the right amount of tech, maybe worth a hot ankle.

[@BigRockMoto]

engine heat is there. but not a deal breaker

[@marcochavanne]

I am looking at this bike and one thing I was surprised about was insurance for the year is just a few dollars more than my CRF300L Rally ($347). The Standard Africa Twin was $100 more a year at ($447).

[@michaelfrancis-vb7tp]

Excellent! thank you for your time.

[@honda116969]

Those spokes look so sick showing thru the 🛞 like that! That's how the rims looked on my Africa twin adventure sport but they were gold 🥇color😂 I don't know much about Aprilia but that's a damn nice looking bike. If I were to go with a middle weight I probably get the Yamaha tenera 700 but there all pretty legit now days

[@davidmallia628]

To me this bike is a winner, ticking all the boxes, the T7 stubbornly ignored. Any niggles it does have will surely be addressed in the second iteration. Aprilia have an opportunity to really run with this bike.

[@davidc1961utube]

With 4 miles on the odo, you have some riding to do! Looking forward to following you while you get to work!

[@BigRockMoto]

I filmed this the day after I got the bike home. The bike has 500 miles on it now

[@mikemurray6528]

Thanks for the great details on this bike!

[@noahjpacifico]

I'd like to see how to use the infotainment. Not sure how to connect mine

[@jamesklauzner6938]

Is the 4-way button block illuminated at night/in the dark?

[@scottkouns8578]

Another awesome video!! Really looking hard at this and an ktm 890. Ian what do you think about the cost of necessary aftermarket parts like bike protection. When all said and done, what is the price difference and which one would you pick for 50/50 road/dirt? Keep ‘em coming and thank you!!