Aprilia is working on the middleweight variant of
its roadster, the Tuono, a spy photo clicked at the Imola track day and
published by ApriliaCup on its Instagram handle has revealed. The spy image reveals a Tuono
1100 inspired styling that brings a semi-fairing design with a flyscreen,
twin-pod headlight and upright ergonomics. The front fascia on the motorcycle
in the image could be a temporary unit, and actually, there could be a RS 660
inspired sleek, LED headlight setup on the middleweight Tuono. The chassis
setup and the engine casing is noticeably different than the 1,077 cc V4
motor-powered roadster, thus confirming that this is NOT the Euro-V version of
the existing Tuono 1100.
The engine layout will most definitely be identical
to the RS 660. However, the Tuono 660 could trade some top-end performance for
a meatier low- and mid-range. n terms of ergonomics, the Tuono 660 will carry a more practical, and
every day-ride friendly riding position with a tall, single-piece handlebar.
The middleweight roadster will also offer more practicality with a proper
pillion seat. The RS 660, as seen in the recently published teaser image and
video, misses the pillion seat.
Similar to the RS 660, we could see two versions of
the Tuono 660 – Standard and RF (Race Factory). The premium version of the
middleweight roadster, if launched, will most likely benefit from
Ohlins-sourced suspension setup and premium Brembo brake callipers. The
standard model, on the other hand, may use Sachs-sourced suspension setup. The
braking setup, as seen in the spy photograph, will comprise twin-discs at the
front and a single rotor at the back.
The safety net will comprise a comprehensive
electronics package. While it’s too early to comment about the finer details,
we expect to see Bosch IMU on the motorcycle for a lean-sensitive traction
control system and cornering ABS functions.
The Aprilia RS 660 is confirmed for the 2019 EICMA
motorcycle show that is scheduled to take place from 5-10 November. The Tuono
660 in the spy photograph looked far from being finished. Unless Aprilia is
hiding the final product to surprise its followers, we could see the Tuono 660
in concept form at the motoring event in Milan, Italy.
