Middleweight adventure bikes are taking over the industry. Although this might seem like an exaggeration, every single major motorcycle manufacturer has one or is about to launch one. To say the least, we are spoiled for choice with a middleweight ADV for just about every purse and purpose. All these bikes offer a balance between street and off-road performance, with each brand offering a different level of compromise. The one thing all these bikes have in common is the fact that they can all comfortably fulfill the need for a one-bike-garage. But, if you are after something that you can easily keep forever, we feel this Italian bike might be the best option.
Why This Adventure Bike Is the Ultimate All-Rounder In 2025
Most middleweight adventure bikes promise that they can do it all, this one really can
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 Might Be The Only Adventure Bike You Ever Need
MSRP: $12,499
Depending on your personal preference, there are actually several other middleweight adventure bikes that might pull at the heart strings. All equally capable of creating a long-lasting bond, all equally good. The Aprilia just has that Italian charm, that little something that is desperately hard to explain, but can only really be felt. While other middleweight adventure bikes certainly existed before it, the Yamaha Tenere 700 was the model that really kicked this segment into overdrive. It proved to be more a “proof-of-concept” than anything else, as the industry suddenly realized what an appetite there was for a motorcycle like this.
Suzuki was the first Japanese manufacturer to blink, quickly getting an all-new modular parallel-twin into production. The V-Strom 800DE is a great bike, but it is a little on the heavy side. Honda hit back next and arguably hit back harder. The Transalp is not the ready-made adventure bike the Tenere and V-Storm promise to be, but rather a blank canvas encouraging buyers to modify it into whatever they want it to be, thanks largely to a very low base price. Most of the other high-end European bikes are more expensive, with the unique exception of the Chinese-made KTM 790 Adventure.
While it is supposed to be a little more street-oriented, it is still more off-road capable than most. The Aprilia occupies a part of the market that splits the difference between the bigger, more tech-heavy bikes and the more affordable Japanese crowd. It has proven to be a rather effective ploy as the bike has won over many fans – us included – since it first arrived. The value proposition is there for all to see, added to the fact that it is just a little different.
Rivals
- Yamaha Tenere 700
- Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
- Honda Transalp
- KTM 790 Adventure
How The Aprilia Tuareg Adventure Bike Puts The Big Boys To Shame
This Italian ADV is the ‘David’ to the full-sized “Goliath” ADVs.
The Tuareg Has A Reliable Parallel-Twin Engine
Power: 80 Horsepower
|
Engine |
Max Power |
Maz Torque |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
|
659 cc Parallel-Twin, liquid-cooled |
80 HP |
52 LB-FT |
6-speed |
Aprilia Tuareg Specs
Like most of the middleweight competition, it runs on a modular platform. The only difference here is the fact that the 660 was first and foremost a sports bike engine. The RS 660 makes a little over 100 horsepower and is pretty highly strung for a street-oriented sports bike. So it stands to reason that Aprilia gave the adventure bike a vastly different tune.
The Tuareg has been optimized for midrange performance and while there isn’t much more torque, what torque it has is now available throughout most of the rev range. In this state of tune, the Tuareg will be marginally more economical than the RS/Tuono 660. It will also be more reliable, at least in theory. So far, the 660 platform has proven to be perfectly reliable after an initial wobble, while the RS 660 was still in its first year of production.
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The Tuareg Has All The Bells And Whistles
Competent Off-road Suspension And A Comprehensive Electronics Suite
One thing Aprilia is known for is electronics. In the past, the brand was closely associated with all manner of wiring issues, but has since bounced back and turned this negative into a resounding positive. Aprilia has consistently led the way in motorcycle technology, and the Tuareg is no exception. Today, ABS and traction control are almost a given at this price point, but ABS, which can be shut off once you are off-road, is not. The traction control is also adjustable, and you get a selection of ride modes to play with. It also has good wind protection and cruise control for longer rides.
The biggest challenge facing modern adventure bike manufacturers is balancing features and weight. Usually, to achieve lower weight figures, some features simply don’t make the cut. Or on the flip side, weight takes a backseat in favor of more modern tech. Somehow, Aprilia was able to pull off the almost impossible task of striking an ideal balance between the two. The company hasn’t skimped on the suspension, either.
It is fully adjustable both at the front and rear, and while it might not be from one of the fancy aftermarket brands, Kayaba has been in the business for decades and knows what they are doing, especially off-road. The chassis is understandably quite different from the sports/naked bike. It ditches the aluminum twin spar in favor of a steel trellis chassis braced by aluminum plates.
All said and done, facts and figures are one thing, but this is not a motorcycle that can be sold on paper. This is a bike that needs to be felt. It has something others don’t, and pulls at the heartstrings in a way the more rational Japanese bikes just can’t. It is also more affordable, and, in most respects, more capable than the heavier, higher-spec European competition. It is not perfect, and the dealer network is relatively small, but it is certainly worth testing, even if that requires a little travel time.
Features
- Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC)
- Ride modes
- Adjustable traction control
- Switchable ABS
- TFT dash with smartphone connectivity
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) |
|
Front Brakes |
Dual 300mm discs |
|
Rear Brakes |
260mm disc |
|
Weight |
450 lbs |