Trailblazer

APRILIA’S RS 660 IS SO GOOD, YOU have to question why this hasn’t been done before. A fun, light usable sport bike which isn’t too radical or extreme, that is attractive to young and new riders alike, and has a plethora of sophisticated rider aids to keep you safe on the road or track… Where have you been?

As much as 100 hp from a usable parallel-twin motor that has character and punch on the road, placed into an easy-going chassis, then covered in sexy bodywork and given just-about-affordable price — what is not to like? I wish I had come up with this idea.

We’re told the supersport market is dead and, yes, sales show a monumental decline in this class over the last two decades, but these exciting, dedicated track bikes are simply that: race bikes with high-revving engines and radical riding positions that can be hard work for everyday use on the road. However, despite its supersport styling, Aprilia’s RS 660 wasn’t designed for the track; this is a comfortable and unintimidating road bike with a typically Aprilia sporting edge.

While the supersport sector has dramatically declined, the global demand for smaller capacity (250 to 550 cc) bikes has increased, and Aprilia needed something to fit that growing market, especially in Asia. The Italian manufacturer also needed to produce a bike for loyal Aprilia customers wanting to stay with the brand as they moved up from the RS125. Aprilia didn’t have