By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Adventure
Aprilia Tuono 660 (MY2021) vs Tuareg 660 (ZD4XB-Rally)
Aprilia Tuono 660 vs Tuareg 660: two kinds of bike, and who each one is for.
Push the pace on the Aprilia Tuono 660 and it's flicking from bend to bend on a nudge of the bars. The Aprilia Tuareg 660's suspension soaks up fast hits off-road.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the Tuono 660 if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Runaway pick: Tuono 660
As a daily commuter, the Tuono 660 gets the nod, and it isn't close.
The Tuono 660 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: Tuono 660
In the twisties, the Tuono 660 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
Tuono 660
A V-twin-like rhythm runs through the Tuono 660's parallel twin, all inside a compact engine package. At corner entry, the front tire tips in on the lightest pressure, and there's no wrestling through the next change of direction. Chicanes don't take muscle. The exhaust answers with an offbeat bark.
Nils rode the Tuono 660 in 2021, and in Austria in 2023 (NastyNils Testride).
Tuareg 660
In Rally form, the Tuareg 660 stands you up behind a raised handlebar, and its front mudguard rides high and clear of the mud. The uprated KYB fork and shock carry it across Kane Creek's quick gravel and rough ground. Dirt's where it's happiest. The springs stay compliant across a long tarmac day.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tuono 660 has the lower seat: 32.3 in (820 mm) vs 35.9 in (913 mm).
- The Tuono 660 has the lower wet weight: 403 lb (183 kg) vs 439 lb (199 kg).
- The Tuono 660 makes more peak power: 95 hp (70 kW) vs 80 hp (59 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
They come out level on running costs and a first bike. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tuono 660
What owners say
Strengths
- Light, agile handling
- Refined 270° parallel-twin character
Trade-offs
- Buzzy vibrations around 5,000–6,000 rpm
- Soft, underdamped stock suspension (Standard model)
- Parts availability and dealer density
Tuareg 660
What owners say
Strengths
- Eye-catching rally styling
- Strong off-road performance
Known problems to check before you buy
Tuono 660
- Loose shift lever (early units) and quickshifter false-neutral / "sticky" engagement Two distinct symptoms reported: (a) on early MY2021 units, the shift lever could come loose from the splined shaft within the first ~100 miles and require dealer replacement; (b) the bidirectional quickshifter occasionally produces a false-neutral on upshifts in upper gears at low or partial throttle, or "sticky" cuts during shifts. Rough gear changes at low rpm and partial throttle, smoothing above 5,000 rpm, have also been reported. The loose-lever issue is widely reported on MY2021 and largely resolved on MY2022+ production.
- Snatchy ride-by-wire fueling on throttle transitions Closed-throttle to roll-on transitions exhibit a touchy, jerky character widely reported in launch-year reviews. Cold-weather behavior below approximately 54°F (12 °C) ambient adds occasional hesitation or misfires until the engine warms. The character is most pronounced in the more aggressive ride modes. Reports diminish in MY2022+ coverage relative to MY2021.
- Water-pump mechanical seal weep at low mileage Coolant or engine oil drip from the water-pump weep hole, sometimes presenting as early as 150–250 miles. Recurring early-ownership theme on Aprilia owner forums. The coolant-side variant sometimes self-clears as the seal beds in; the oil-side variant requires teardown of the flywheel cover and seal replacement, normally completed under warranty.
- Aprilia MIA module pairing failures and dashboard firmware quirks When the optional Aprilia MIA Multimedia Platform (PMP 3.0) module is fitted, owners report Bluetooth pairing failures, the phone icon remaining greyed out, inaccessible submenus, and music interruption when paired comms are active. Several owners report a fix only after a dealer-side dashboard firmware update via the Piaggio PADS diagnostic tool.
- Cosmetic finish and fastener corrosion complaints Recurring small complaints across reviews and forums: matte/satin tank paint is thin and scratch-prone; visible fasteners surface-corrode in year-round use; belly-pan plastic feels rough relative to price tier; decals work loose over time; minor rear-brake squeak reported. None are structural problems and all are cosmetic in nature, but they are widely cited as detracting from the bike's premium positioning.
Tuareg 660
- Unusual engine noise (valves or chain tensioner) Some owners report a metallic ticking or knocking from the engine bay, possibly related to valve train or cam chain tensioner; requires inspection to rule out serious damage.
What they share
- Displacement
- 659 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
Where the spec sheets split
| Tuono 660 | Tuareg 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.3 in (820 mm) | 35.9 in (913 mm) |
| Wet weight | 403 lb (183 kg) | 439 lb (199 kg) |
| Tuono 660 | Tuareg 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 80 hp (59 kW) |
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (67 Nm) | 52 lb-ft (70 Nm) |
| Tuono 660 | Tuareg 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| Tuono 660 | Tuareg 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 90/90-21 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 150/70-18 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tuono 660 | Tuareg 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Option | Not offered |
| Navigation | Option | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
