By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Aprilia Tuono 660 (MY2021) vs Tuono 660 (MY2025-Factory)
A beginner's first season of tight bends finds the 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660 tipping in on a light nudge, and it's already set for the next one. The 2025 Aprilia Tuono 660 doesn't belong in that first season.
What makes each one tick
2021 Tuono 660
There's a compact parallel twin in the 2021 Tuono 660, but it fires like a V-twin. On long highway stretches, a buzz works into the bars at one band of revs. The throttle wakes an engine that spins up with more polish than rival parallel twins can manage. The exhaust answers with an offbeat thrum.
Nils rode the 2021 Tuono 660 in 2021, and in Austria in 2023 (NastyNils Testride).
2025 Tuono 660
Sharp steering geometry and low wet weight keep the 2025 Tuono 660 on its toes, and it's as eager in a commute as on a twisty road. The bars snap it over.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 2025 Tuono 660 makes more peak power: 103 hp (75 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- Quickshifter: standard on the 2025 Tuono 660, option on the 2021 Tuono 660.
- USB Charging Port: option on the 2021 Tuono 660, not offered on the 2025 Tuono 660.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: 2025 Tuono 660
The 2025 Tuono 660 makes too much power to start out on. Build your skills on something smaller first.
These two run dead level on commuting, twisty roads, and running costs. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2021 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
2025 Tuono 660
What owners say
Strengths
- Comprehensive electronics suite
Known problems to check before you buy
2021 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.
2025 Tuono 660
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Seat height
- 32.3 in (820 mm)
- Displacement
- 659 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Torque
- 49 lb-ft (67 Nm)
- Fuel economy
- 48 mpg (US) / 4.9 L/100 km
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 2021 Tuono 660 | 2025 Tuono 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet weight | 403 lb (183 kg) | 399 lb (181 kg) |
| 2021 Tuono 660 | 2025 Tuono 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 103 hp (75 kW) |
| 2021 Tuono 660 | 2025 Tuono 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 4.0 US gal (15.1 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2021 Tuono 660 | 2025 Tuono 660 | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Option | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
