2023 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
Light Weight, Real Bite
The Extrema is the sharp end of the RS 660 line: a lightweight, track-leaning special edition built around a 659 cc parallel twin making 100 hp and 49 lb-ft, carried by a chassis that comes in at 397 lb (180 kg) wet. An SC-Project exhaust is standard equipment here, not a shopping-list item. What makes it credible in this class is that the electronics match the intent. Cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control, ride modes and the bidirectional Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS) all arrive from the factory, alongside suspension that is adjustable front and rear. That is a genuine supersport package rather than a styling exercise.
On the road it rewards accuracy more than bravery. There is enough power to be properly quick on a good stretch and not so much that you spend the whole ride managing it, which is why it suits riders sharpening technique on canyon roads, Appalachian twisties, or the occasional track day. Cruise control, a TFT dash and a riding position that doesn't fold you in half keep it usable on the days in between. The honest caveat: some engines have shown oil seeping or consumption traced back to gaskets and seals, and it looks less common on 2023 production. Inspect the bottom end on any used bike.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 100 hp (74 kW) @ 10,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (67 Nm) @ 8,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 659 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 54.1 in (1375 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 397 lb (180 kg)Sportbikes Under 400 Pounds Wet → |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
This isn't my ride. It's what owners have told me over the years, in the paddock, at club nights and in the messages riders send me directly. On the RS 660 Extrema the pattern is consistent: riders love how it rides and grumble about what surrounds ownership.
Owners keep telling me how quickly the Extrema makes them feel at home in corners, and that includes less experienced riders. The twin gets nearly as much praise. It pulls hard from the midrange, keeps going happily past 9,000 rpm and has a rorty voice. Many riders also think the electronics package puts it ahead of many middleweight rivals, and some say they can ride all day without discomfort.
The complaint I hear most is the thin dealer network. Some workshops don't know the brand well, so warranty work or a software update can mean a long trip. The distance adds to a second worry. Early RS 660s had oil leaks and a connecting rod recall, and owners say the 2023 bike is better, but that reputation still makes some of them uneasy. The rear brake is a smaller gripe that keeps coming up: it squeals at low speed. Bedding it in often fixes it, though for some riders the squeal comes back.
Potential oil leaks (less frequent on 2023 models)
Oil seeping or consumption has been noted on some engines, often traced to gasket or seal issues; appears less prevalent on later production.
Where this Aprilia RS 660 Extrema pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the RS 660 Extrema is actually built for.
This is the bike Angeles Crest was built for. Light, precise, and happy to be ridden hard once you clear the traffic, without leaving you cooked by the time you roll back down.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail Scenic Byway · Big Sur Coast Highway
It won't win the straight, but it will teach you apexes. Adjustable suspension at both ends and a full rider-aid package give you real room to develop a setup and your technique.
Made for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · Barber Motorsports Park · Circuit of The Americas
Tight, repeating corners are exactly its habitat. The low weight and the feel coming through the front let you work on precision instead of hauling a heavy bike from turn to turn.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Aprilia RS 660 Extrema. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2019–2023
The Inline-Four You Can Keep
Roughly $3,300 cheaper used than this bike at 3 yr
Same Platform · 2020–2024
Middleweight With Genuine Bite
About the same used price as this bike at 3 yr
Similar Character · 2021–2024
Italian Edge, Light Package
Roughly $2,000 cheaper used than this bike at 3 yr
Compare it with every bike that shares the same spec or equipment.