2020–2024 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
Middleweight With Genuine Bite
Aprilia built the RS 660 around a 659 cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank, so it sounds and pulls with V-twin character while staying narrow and light. It makes 100 hp at 10,500 rpm and 49 lb-ft at 8,500 rpm, wrapped in an aluminum frame at a wet weight of 403 lb (183 kg). The electronics are the real story at this size: cornering ABS, traction control, wheelie control and ride modes, a quickshifter that works in both directions, cruise control and a TFT dash. Adjustable suspension at both ends is standard equipment, not an upsell.
On the road that combination reads as confidence rather than aggression. It carries genuine sporting intent without the wrist and neck tax of a full-fat supersport, which is why it works for a rider whose good roads sit an hour of traffic away from home. This is a bike for people who want precision and feedback more than a number to quote at the gas stop. The honest caveat is build detail rather than concept. Early examples were recalled for connecting rod failure, and seal weeping, throttle position sensor faults and warped front discs have all turned up. Buy on service history.
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 | 53.9 in (1370 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 403 lb (183 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 gal (15 L) |
| Fuel economy | 48 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Drivetrain
Lighting
Safety
The first thing you notice is the noise. That 270-degree twin has a hard, uneven beat that fills in the second you open the throttle, and it sends a low-frequency pulse through the pegs that never goes numb or turns buzzy. Sit on it and the reach is civilized. The clip-ons are high enough that your weight isn't dumped onto your wrists, the pegs aren't jammed up under you, and at 32.3 in (820 mm) most riders will get a solid foot down. It feels slim around the hips and genuinely light, because it is: 403 lb (183 kg) wet. Rolling through town it steers at walking pace without the stiff, sulky feel a lot of sportbikes have, and after a couple of hours you're still sitting on it properly instead of counting down to the next stop.
Engine recall for connecting rod failure (safety recall)
A batch of early RS 660 motorcycles (VIN range approx. 300–780) had defective connecting rods that could fail, causing sudden engine stall. Aprilia recalled these bikes and replaced the entire engine free of charge; warranty was reset.
Throttle position sensor (TPS) fault
Reports of TPS errors causing poor running or warning lights. Often required a sensor replacement or ECU update under warranty.
Oil leaks from various seals
Some owners have reported oil weeping from engine seals, particularly the cam chain tensioner area and valve cover gasket. Many were fixed under warranty with updated seals or reapplication of gasket sealant.
Warped front brake discs
A few owners noted front disc warping even without track use, causing pulsing at the lever. Required disc replacement.
Squeaky rear brake
A squeal from the rear brake is a known annoyance, attributed to pad compound and disc surface. Many owners resolve it by replacing pads or applying anti-squeal compound, though no definitive factory fix exists.
Where this Aprilia RS 660 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 is actually built for.
Angeles Crest is exactly this bike's habitat. It's light, precise, and you'll run out of nerve before you run out of lean angle, and it still handles the LA traffic on the way up there.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
For repeat runs at the Dragon, the payoff here is feedback. The front tells you what it's doing, it changes direction the instant you ask, and it rewards clean technique instead of punishing you.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
Hill Country days run long, and this is the rare sporting bike you can ride all of one. The seating position is roomy, 48 mpg keeps fuel stops rare, and cruise control covers the dull run out of town.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
