Over the past five years or so, all the major motorcycle manufacturers have rolled out one middleweight adventure bike after another. It is almost as if they are engaged in some sort of arms race, with each bike offering more features than the last. Models are also getting updated faster in this space than in any other segment, and for good reason.
As a whole, the motorcycle industry is in a bit of a slump. Even so, adventure bikes of all shapes and sizes continue to sell well. Middleweight bikes in particular have captured the imagination thanks to how they are able to balance touring comfort and off-road competence. For a time, demand even outpaced supply, but things have long since stabilized, and with that the used market has finally “woken up.”
Buying a used motorcycle always has an element of risk attached, so please do your research and proceed with caution.
No Shortage Of Used Middleweight Alternatives
Back when the Yamaha Tenere 700 was launched, it almost immediately grabbed everyone’s attention. A street bike engine in a legitimate off-road-oriented chassis was revolutionary at the time, and everyone wanted one. Yamaha was not able to keep up with demand for a couple of years, but as other manufacturers brought out their contenders, things calmed down a little.
Not all middleweight ADVs are off-road focused. At their core, adventure bikes are not actually off-road bikes, but rather street bikes that have been engineered to be more effective off-road. One bike that has been around for way longer than the Tenere is the Suzuki V-Strom 650. It started life out as a middleweight tourer, but slowly evolved into a more street-oriented ADV. If you are on the shorter side or don’t plan on searching out every BDR en route to your next destination, the little V-Strom is the more pragmatic choice.
You Should Buy The Aprilia Tuareg 660 Used Instead Of New
Price Range: $6,000 – $9,000
The Tuareg 660 actually offers great value on the used market. While the new bike is well priced, this popular ADV has already lost around a third of its value over four years. Most of the teething issues with the 660 platform were already taken care of by the RS 660 and Tuono 660, which came out the year prior. The dealer network is still relatively small when compared to all the major brands, and parts availability is limited.
As such, prices remain relatively low on the used market. Trade value is pegged at $5,830, or around half of what owners would have paid back in 2022. Retail value is sitting at just under $8,500, which is $4k less than what you would spend on a new bike. While you have to give up the warranty, you will most likely get a few aftermarket accessories and a service record included in the deal.
2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660 Review: When Less Is More
Aprilia’s Tuareg 660 middleweight hits the adventure-bike sweet spot
The 2022 Tuareg Has A Reliable Twin
Power: 80 Horsepower
What makes the Tuareg a particularly attractive deal is the fact that there haven’t been any significant updates to the platform since it was launched. Aprilia has since added a Rally version to the lineup, but that is a different, more expensive animal. The base model has only gotten a few color changes, while the powertrain has been left untouched. Suffice to say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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Unlike the more highly strung sportbike and naked bike that make over 100 horsepower, the Tuareg only makes 80 horsepower. Overall, horsepower was sacrificed in the name of improving midrange torque delivery, which is desirable for off-road riding. It doesn’t make much more torque than the more sporty twins, but it certainly comes in a little earlier.
Offers An Ideal Balance Between Features And Weight
As a rule, adventure bikes are a compromise between touring comfort and off-road competence. As you add more touring comfort, weight is added, and off-road competence diminishes. Somehow, Aprilia was able to strike a near-perfect balance with the Tuareg. It is a surprisingly comfortable ADV when you take into account the fact that it only tips the scales at 450 pounds. It is currently the lightest bike in its class, yet still offers nice-to-have features like switchable ABS, adjustable traction control, ride modes, and a modern TFT dash that can be paired to a smartphone. It also has a fully adjustable KYB suspension with ample travel, which is a key point of difference off-road.
Minimal Changes Make This A Used Bargain
What makes the Tuareg such an enticing used option is the fact that not much has changed since it was launched back in 2022, other than the color. It has also proven to be reliable, contrary to what most people seem to think. The only noteworthy issue has been dust ingestion. But, if you are going to ride an ADV in particularly dusty conditions – remember, these are street bikes engineered to go off-road, not the other way around – you need to invest in a proper off-road air-filter that can be washed and oiled. The stock paper filter simply won’t cut it.
The real “elephant” that needs addressing has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the motorcycle. It has more to do with the fact that Aprilia, and, by extension, the Piaggio Group, have a relatively small dealer network. Getting your bike serviced could prove problematic if you live far from a dealership. If you are not willing to work on the bike yourself, it might also be a little harder to find a shop that is actually willing to work on your bike. While it isn’t any harder to work on these twins than any of the competition, parts availability is the main concern.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Steel trellis with aluminum plates |
|
Front Suspension |
43mm Kayaba USD fork, fully adjustable (9.5-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Kayaba monoshock, fully adjustable (9.5-in travel) |
|
Weight |
450 lbs |
Source: KBB, Aprilia