Aprilia Tuareg 660 Review: Ugly, Brilliant, and Seriously Capable Adventure Bike

Aprilia Tuareg 660

The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is a divisive yet highly capable adventure bike. Despite its polarising design — particularly its unattractive front end — it shines in performance and ergonomics, offering a comfortable riding position and strong on- and off-road capabilities. Its 660 cc engine delivers 80 hp and 70 Nm, with smooth low- and high-rev performance, though it can run hot and may have issues with poor-quality fuel. While early models suffered from reliability concerns like electrical and suspension problems, many were later addressed. The bike is praised for its soft suspension, low centre of gravity, and Italian character, making it a recommended adventure motorcycle for those who prioritise performance over aesthetics.

Such an ugly, yet such a brilliant adventure bike!

Personal Experience with the Aprilia Tuareg 660

The next guest in my series of motorcycle articles is the Aprilia Tuareg 660. I have a rather special relationship with this bike. The first time I rode it was after a year and a half, during which I had no opportunity to ride a motorcycle at all. I rented it with the last money I had as a birthday gift to myself. The emotions I felt that day are almost impossible to describe — joy, excitement, happiness, and everything in between.

Over time, my opinion about this motorcycle changed, at some points even becoming sharply negative. But I’ve ridden it a lot, worked on it, and serviced it, so I have a fairly solid amount of experience with it. Now I feel I can give a balanced and honest opinion about this rather controversial adventure bike.

Design and First Impressions

Let’s start, as usual, with the looks. After all, first impressions matter. And honestly, the Tuareg 660 didn’t get particularly lucky in that department — especially when it comes to the front end. I struggle to think of another motorcycle that looks more visually unappealing to me. The headlight design is strange, and the shape of the windscreen triggers some… unusual associations.

From the side, things look much better. The tubular frame looks fantastic — almost delicious, if that makes sense. You can even spot some real beauty there. The rear section still raises questions for me, but by that point, I don’t really care that much anymore.

What should be noted, though, is that the design is clearly driven by practical considerations. Some elements might be stylistically questionable, but ergonomically, there is very little to complain about. The only odd detail is the fuel cap — you have to unlock it with a key, then unscrew it completely and figure out where to put it.

Ergonomics, Seat, and Rider Comfort

The seat allows you to move around easily while riding off-road. The plastic fuel tank places most of the fuel mass low under the seat, and the controls are simple and convenient. My only ergonomic complaint appears when riding aggressively in a forward stance — your knees tend to slide on the plastic tank. Fortunately, this is easily solved with tank grip pads.

The dashboard graphics are simple and easy to understand once you get used to them. The Aprilia Tuareg 660 was clearly designed with a “nothing unnecessary” philosophy. At the same time, it still has a full set of modern electronics: traction control, ABS, ride-by-wire throttle, and cruise control.

Engine Performance: 660cc, 80 hp, 70 Nm

The engine is a 660 cc parallel twin producing 80 horsepower and 70 Nm of torque. The exhaust note is quite pleasant, and you can definitely feel those Italian roots. The bike is capable of fairly dynamic riding, although the ride-by-wire throttle does take some time to get used to due to the electronic damping.

The engine works well both at low and high revs. Its main downsides are two things. First, at higher speeds, the high-frequency exhaust tone becomes rather monotonous and can be tiring over long distances. Second, the engine runs very hot. In warm weather, it can roast the rider quite effectively. The engine also has a fairly high compression ratio, so poor-quality fuel may become a real problem.

On-Road Riding: Stability, Handling, and Daily Comfort

On asphalt, the bike performs very well. The riding position is comfortable, the engine can deliver a solid burst of acceleration when needed, and the bike remains very stable, smoothing out most imperfections in the road surface. In corners, it feels predictable and easy to control — but only if the suspension is properly adjusted. Otherwise, the front wheel can develop a slightly unsettling tendency to wander when pushed hard. That said, this mostly happens during fairly aggressive riding.

You can easily spend an entire day on this bike without getting tired. Wind protection is decent, and you get the feeling of sitting “inside” the motorcycle, reasonably shielded from the airflow. The 18-liter fuel tank combined with a realistic fuel consumption of around 5–5.5 liters per 100 km gives you a solid range. The seat is clearly designed more for off-road riding than for long two-up touring, but it’s still much more comfortable than the extremely narrow seat on something like the Ténéré 700.

Off-Road Riding: Suspension Travel, Balance, and Confidence

Off-road is where the Aprilia Tuareg 660 really feels at home. The bike performs extremely well in a wide range of riding conditions. With 240 mm of suspension travel both front and rear, it inspires a lot of confidence.

What really stands out for me is how the suspension absorbs small bumps. It simply swallows them regardless of the speed you ride over them. The bike feels very soft and comfortable while still resisting bottoming out and remaining easy to control.

The low center of gravity forgives many rider mistakes, and the relatively moderate seat height of 860 mm helps you feel confident. My only complaints are the side-stand sensor, which tends to get clogged with mud, and the stock engine protection, which is more decorative than functional. That said, installing a proper skid plate and a side-stand bypass is almost standard preparation for any adventure bike used seriously off-road.

Reliability and Build Quality: The Reality of Early Models

At this point, the review may sound a bit too positive, so let’s add a bit of reality. Have you ever heard anyone praising legendary Italian build quality? Probably not — and for a reason. Early Tuareg models had quite inconsistent assembly quality. Electrical issues, suspension problems, and general build quirks were not uncommon.

Many of these problems were addressed through recalls and updates, but for a long time, these bikes were associated in my mind with a glowing check-engine light and the feeling of asking the bike: “What else do you want from me just to start working properly?”

Final Verdict: Is the Aprilia Tuareg 660 Worth It?

So what’s the final verdict? As a piece of engineering, the motorcycle is excellent. As a design object — let’s say it’s controversial. But for me, what matters most is how a motorcycle rides, not how it looks.

And for that reason, the Tuareg definitely earns its place on my list of motorcycles I would confidently recommend buying and riding.