2021 Aprilia RS 660 Review | MC Track

Rubber-burning horsepower and unlimited funds make for wicked sportbikes, but it isn’t everything when it comes to having a seriously good time, and the 2021 Aprilia RS 660 is a prime example. It’s a motorcycle that represents a balance of performance and practicality. Engaging engine performance, nimble handling, a relatively low seat height, and roomy ergonomics make the 660 as much of a ripping sportbike as it is an everyday machine.

And although it isn’t built for cutthroat competition, it has enjoyed success in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship, taking several victories to date. As part of an Aprilia Racers Days event at Ridge Motorsports Park in the Pacific Northwest, we had the opportunity to sample the RS 660 on the racetrack for the first time.

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All we have ever wanted are motorcycles with mass horsepower and racing-derived technical excellence. These wishes have driven manufacturers down the roads of potent open-class literbikes, homologation-special superbikes, and race-replica machines—nowadays often with 190-plus claimed horsepower. But maybe we’ve asked for too much?

Sure, rubber-burning horsepower and unlimited funds make for wicked sportbikes, but it isn’t everything when it comes to having a seriously good time, and the 2021 Aprilia RS 660 is a prime example. It’s a motorcycle that represents a balance of performance and practicality. Engaging engine performance, nimble handling, a relatively low seat height, and roomy ergonomics make the 660 as much of a ripping sportbike as it is an everyday machine. And although it isn’t built for cutthroat competition, it has enjoyed success in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup championship, taking several victories to date.

As part of an Aprilia Racers Days event at Ridge Motorsports Park in the Pacific Northwest, we had the opportunity to sample the RS 660 on the racetrack for the first time. The circuit’s 2.5-mile, 16-turn layout of fast sweepers, hard braking zones, wide-open straightaways, and dramatic elevation changes meant no aspect of the RS went untested.

Opening the throttle of the RS 660 unleashes immediate, usable power from its RSV4-derived 659cc parallel-twin engine, pulling strongly with very linear initial acceleration before truly ripping around the 8,000-rpm mark. Here, the RS barks out a meaty growl as it rips toward redline that is eerily similar to its V-4 sibling. Still, it doesn’t have mass superbike horsepower to fall back on, and keeping momentum means perfecting midcorner speed.

And that’s what distinguishes the RS 660. Peak performance isn’t as impressive as the 600cc inline-four repli-racers, but an impressively flat torque curve and usable, low-end delivery means taking advantage of the power available isn’t as arduous—keeping the engine spinning above 12,000 rpm isn’t required. It’s also less intimidating than open-class superbikes, while still offering an engaging experience for experts and serving as a conducive platform for improving riding skill. For reference, the 660 produced 88.8 hp at 10,500 rpm and 45.3 pound-feet of torque at 8,500 rpm on the Motorcyclist dyno.

To keep things in check, the RS 660 is equipped with the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) electronic rider-aid suite, which is accessed via a full-color TFT display. These IMU-based traction control, wheelie control, engine-brake, and ABS settings are offered in five preset riding modes, with Challenge and Time Attack settings being designated track modes. The latter modes include features like a built-in lap-timer function. Utilizing level 2 of traction control and wheelie control off, the RS 660 blends tractable power delivery and logical electronic intervention for aggressive-yet-manageable acceleration at corner exit without being robbed of its sporty personality. In simple terms, it’s superbike-level precision in a middleweight package.

Videography/edit: Bert Beltran
Photography: Jeff Allen

[pieman]

MC Track is a fantastic idea. Truth be told, I don't care how well the new GSX-R 1000R or Panigale V4 is for commuting. I very much care how they perform though.

[gogglespizzano]

I would love to see more of these track reviews, keep them coming.

[sanchitsingh]

I've raced my little R3 on this track - it felt amazing

[pestcontrolauckland-acespe]

Italians know how make beautiful bikes. Hands down the best

[VJ_Slipstream]

He is just so calmly vlogging while at the same time pushing the bike to its limits. Need to get to that level.!

[Brian-ivpz]

Wait! I know that track.That is the track where the moto america is held. I watch moto america🏍️ every day. Great review btw.

[proto]

let me real with you guys, 2021 bike from them and they won't approve the warranty work for some failing sensors...the dealer is saying since the bike is only a month old they will cover it but in the future I need to fight it out with the company (aprilia) and for a new bike.. this is crazy, i can't wait to sell it and go back to honda

[viasevenvai]

I had a zx10r, 2012 back in 2012. I’ve been riding a 1250GS for a while and went to sit on an RS660. When I got the RS660 off the kickstand I almost threw it across the dealership. It felt like a feather in between my legs. Even the sales rep could tell. People always warn you of power or maybe even heat….but heavy bikes (and tall) get you into a world of control.

[pearcey]

I just want to hear this bike with an aftermarket exhaust, the stock one feels like it’s holding a lot of beautiful noise back

[pureforce]

Just noticed this and not sure if its normal, but that brake reservoir is bubbling like its being boiled. Dont understand how the brakes still grip with that much air in that fluid.

[p.chakraborty]

8th comment! Awesome review gilbert ! You remind me of gilbert (motogp), i used to race a race prepped R1 ( already enjoyed so much speed), clocked a top speed of 230-40mph (about 350-370 kph), and now am looking for a relatively relaxed sports bikes, is this kind of bike ok for it?
Should i choose Z900 or this? Need your opinion.

[lopsided]

Would really love to see a review with this plus upgraded suspension..

[WalkerKlondyke]

Are the Italians using milk for brake fluid now?

[timalcorn]

What a hot weekend... I chickened out and stayed in the ac lol

[justinwhite]

As much as I love my Aprilia nobody should be purchasing one, at least now. Aprilia has very little dealer support in the US. I cannot find a dealer within 500 miles that can service my bike for a 6200 mile maintenance. Yes. Part of the reason is they can't get parts from Italy due to COVID. At least with a JP bike you can get service and part pretty readily.

[Wabbit]

You've ridden both the RS and the Tuono. I don't believe anyone has asked - On the street, how is the front end dive? My Ninja 650 dives quite a lot with breaking.

[richardblaauwgeers]

I love this bike to bad it does not have a analog rpm clock

[tarcisionunessf]

*Random noob here* - why the mirrors are covered? Great video!

[Loveboost]

So the relaxed position. How relaxed are we talking? Like Street Triple relaxed? I refuse to ride sport bikes. Even if I was going to the track I’d take a naked bike. I hate the feeling of my feet being just below my ass and giving the tank a reach around for the bars. I wouldn’t mind aggressive naked bike like the Street Triple or maybe a little more aggressive than that but not by much. Because then I wouldn’t feel safe pushing the bike. The ergonomics of a sport bike make me feel like I’m at a pig roast and I’m the pig.

[janschkeuditz]

I asked a guy why he rode his powerful bike so slowly, like a granny on a scooter whilst doing his review.
He replied " I normally ride faster, but I need to concentrate on my riding while talking " ha ha Gilbert rips the track up.
Passed by nutters, and still talks as calm as a cucumber....