NGC - '26 Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory

[bronzestar1]

I sold my '23 V7 Stone Special Edition to get this Aprilia, but I still have my '24 V100 Mandello Navale.  The display screen and controls are very similar between the Tuono and Mandello, so that made fumbling and bumbling my way thru the menu a little easier.  Took the Tuono out for a road test today, to see if I could tell a difference between the "commute" and "dynamic" modes.  There is a difference, sort of like the difference between "road" and "sport" modes on the Mandello.  I changed the Engine Map on the Tuono so the "commute" map was the same as the "dynamic" map.  Dealer installed the Yoshimura knock-off exhaust and tail tidy, I put the wheel rim stickers on.  The exhaust still has a cat in it, and I didn't mess with the airbox, so I'm not in a hurry to get the ECU reflashed.  Have a larger tinted windscreen and keyless gas cap on the way, and that should do it for a while.  Dealer is looking to see if the rear seat cowl came with the bike, or if that's an accessory I have to buy.  I was going to put some bar-end mirrors on the bike, but these actually work pretty well, and don't look all that bad. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Nice.  I would expect that to be a very fun, light, responsive bike.

congrats!

[blu guzz]

Looks like a hooligan bike to me, keep the front wheel on the pavement and start wearing out the sides of the tires. Congrats.

[bronzestar1]

Removed the front reflectors today, then realized I now have two small holes in the fender I'll have to find some plugs for.  Took the bike out for another road test, after I changed the engine map in "dynamic" mode from 2 to 1 (most "agressive"), but left it at 2 for "commute" mode.  Holy crap, riding it in dynamic mode with the map set to 1 really makes it a "hooligan" bike.  It's much more responsive, doesn't seem to pop and backfire as much, and pulls like a freight train.  I should have the larger tinted windscreen and keyless gas cap from AF1 installed before next weekend.  This bike has numerous rider "aids", which I suppose would be great for a track, but I could do without (launch control, traction control, wheelie control, engine braking, ABS), so I'll just leave those at whatever the factory settings are for the different riding modes. It does have an up/down quick shifter, which I tested today.  Not a fan, so I'll keep using the clutch to change gears, guess I'm old school that way.






     

[bronzestar1]

Found some plugs at my local Ace Hardware store for the holes in the fender.  Got the keyless gas cap and Puig tinted windscreen, those will be going on next, hopefully tomorrow...

[SIR REAL ED]

Found some plugs at my local Ace Hardware store for the holes in the fender.  Got the keyless gas cap and Puig tinted windscreen, those will be going on next, hopefully tomorrow...

Those plugs look horrible.

That fender was screaming for some bullet hole stickers.......

[bronzestar1]

Installed the keyless gas cap and tinted windscreen today.  Might have to see about getting one of those keyless gas caps for my V100 Mandello...

[Buddy Shagmore]

+Looking at your plate...it's more horizontal than vertical. More and more LE are writing fix-it tickets for this, as a "folded" plate. Just a heads up, broheim.

[JJ]

OK...now that is a bonafied "HOOLIGAN BIKE" if there ever was one!!   CONGRATS and have fun!!

[Moparnut72]

It is good to see that Piaggio is building cutting edge machines.
kk

[bronzestar1]

+Looking at your plate...it's more horizontal than vertical. More and more LE are writing fix-it tickets for this, as a "folded" plate. Just a heads up, broheim.

That's the paper plate on there, which gets out of shape pretty easily.  A metal plate is definitely more vertical than horizontal.  I have a personal plate on order, I'll post a pic once it's on the bike.   

[bronzestar1]

OK...now that is a bonafied "HOOLIGAN BIKE" if there ever was one!!   CONGRATS and have fun!!

A Tuono V4 would be much more of a hooligan bike for sure, but this one is pretty fun!

[bronzestar1]

Added a slightly longer muffler (+60mm, db killer removed) and a tank pad.  Judging from a cold start and letting the bike warm up a bit, the longer muffler isn't as "barky" as the shorter one, doesn't seem to pop as much when letting off the throttle either.  The tank pad was very flexible, had no problems getting it to lay flat. 

[bronzestar1]

Put the dB killer back in, and installed a carbon fiber front fender, rear hugger, and chain guard.  Bike seems much happier with the dB killer in versus out. 

[bronzestar1]

Apparently an earlier model radiator guard WILL fit the '26 model, so that was a good thing.  Had to bend out the mounting tabs at the bottom of the radiator to meet the tabs on the radiator guard, and used zip ties to secure them together.  Upper guard mounts fit perfectly using the radiator mounting bolts.  Piece covers the fins, should be totally functional and give a little extra piece of mind. 

[1wild1]

I just rode one of these today and was very impressed.  My son rides a s1000r and that thing scares me, but my V85 just doesn't have long enough legs riding with him so looking at something thats able to go a little faster. Rode the yamaha with the cp2 motor and was done as soon as I left the lot with the vibration . CP3 motor was ok.  I didn't expect the 660 to be as smooth as it was but I think I'm gonna buy one.  The V85 isn't going anywhere though.  If the 660 wasn't good enough I was gonna ride the mandello next.  But this Aprillia felt really good.

[bronzestar1]

I just rode one of these today and was very impressed.  My son rides a s1000r and that thing scares me, but my V85 just doesn't have long enough legs riding with him so looking at something thats able to go a little faster. Rode the yamaha with the cp2 motor and was done as soon as I left the lot with the vibration . CP3 motor was ok.  I didn't expect the 660 to be as smooth as it was but I think I'm gonna buy one.  The V85 isn't going anywhere though.  If the 660 wasn't good enough I was gonna ride the mandello next.  But this Aprillia felt really good.

IIRC, there's like a $2500 retail price difference between a '26 Tuono 660 Factory and a '26 RS660 Factory.  The main difference between the two is bodywork and lower bars on the RS660.  With a competent rider and good knowledge of the roads, a Tuono 660 could keep up with an S1000R in the twisties, but not on straights where hp is king.  A Mandello couldn't keep up with an S1000R either.  But I've come to realize I get more enjoyment out of riding a smaller displacement bike fast (Tuono 660) than a bigger displacement bike slow (V100 Mandello).  The Mandello would be the better choice for comfort and sport-touring, with the occasional run thru the twisties.

Have you considered something like a Suzuki SV650?  That was higher on my list than a Tuono 660, but the later year model and color I wanted wasn't available in my area.  It's considerably less expensive than a Tuono, doesn't have all the rider aids (I really could do without a bunch of them on the Tuono if it meant a cheaper price), and parts are a lot less expensive.  Just a thought...       

[1wild1]

IIRC, there's like a $2500 retail price difference between a '26 Tuono 660 Factory and a '26 RS660 Factory.  The main difference between the two is bodywork and lower bars on the RS660.  With a competent rider and good knowledge of the roads, a Tuono 660 could keep up with an S1000R in the twisties, but not on straights where hp is king.  A Mandello couldn't keep up with an S1000R either.  But I've come to realize I get more enjoyment out of riding a smaller displacement bike fast (Tuono 660) than a bigger displacement bike slow (V100 Mandello).  The Mandello would be the better choice for comfort and sport-touring, with the occasional run thru the twisties.

Have you considered something like a Suzuki SV650?  That was higher on my list than a Tuono 660, but the later year model and color I wanted wasn't available in my area.  It's considerably less expensive than a Tuono, doesn't have all the rider aids (I really could do without a bunch of them on the Tuono if it meant a cheaper price), and parts are a lot less expensive.  Just a thought...       

I'm not worried about keeping up, just wanna be able to run up to 130 or so if need be. I've hit 110 on teh V85 but she is pretty busy sounding up that high and I don't like running it that hard. I've been leaning toward a track oriented bike but still comfortable for the street.  So brakes and suspension are worth the extra for me. I have the bitubo front and rear on the V85 and it handles like a dream. I need to get more comfortable running it at higher rpm's.  Give me another 5 degrees of lean angle and 15 more hp I'd be set.  The other thing that I'm considering is an early 2000's V11 sport.  Can't decide if I want new or classic.  My Honda Fury is supposed to be sold this weekend, so I've just been window shopping in the meantime. I kinda like things that are different and look cool.  Anyone wanna buy a Fury?