Photography: Koji Kawamoto
Extremely compact, light, and easy
I had the chance to test ride Aprilia's latest model, the RS660, at the track and would like to report on it. The other day, I was in charge of the training class at a riding event organized by Kushitani. I was able to borrow the RS660 from the manufacturer as a demo vehicle.
The RS660 is a compact bike, smaller than its big brother, the RSV4 1100, with a flashy Aprilia-style color scheme, triple LED lights, and a MotoGP-style ducted cowl. The RS660 is compact in appearance and is slightly smaller than its big brother, the RSV4 1100. It's so light that it makes me feel like I can ride it, and it lowers the hurdle for me.
Straddling the bike, the handlebar position is higher than expected. It's a relatively easy position for a full-cowl supersport. Compared to the RSV4, the RS660 is 69mm shorter in wheelbase (1370mm), 31mm lower in seat height (820mm), and 16kg lighter in weight (183kg). I think it's easy to imagine how easy the RS660 handles.
Easy handling directly leads to speed, allowing you to compete with the best machines.
The first thing that strikes you when you start driving is the "gentleness". The newly-developed liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder has the throbbing of a 270-degree parallel twin and revs smoothly. The accelerator pedal is gentle, and even when the throttle is opened a little too roughly, it is tolerated. I set the riding mode to "Challenge", which is best suited for track riding, and it felt easy to handle and my body quickly adjusted to it.
The RSV4's V4 engine is a front-bank, long-stroke version of the RSV4. This allows for a lower peak rpm and a wider torque band in the low to mid range, making it very easy to drive.
The maximum output of 100ps may not seem like much to some, but with 80% of the maximum torque available at just 4,000rpm, there's plenty of acceleration without having to keep a tight rein on the revs.
The light weight of the machine and its mild power output characteristics, which are rich in mid-range torque, allow the driver to start opening the throttle early when exiting a corner, which in turn increases corner exit speed.
This is a different feeling from the conventional straight-4 multi-turbochargers, and it is a trick that cannot be imitated by large displacement machines that have too much power. Especially on short courses such as the Tsukuba Circuit Course 1000, where I tested the motorcycle this time, it was able to outperform the best of the best.
The front and rear suspensions are also rather soft setting, which makes the motorcycle comfortable to drive on the track. The front and rear suspensions have a soft setting that is comfortable to drive on the track, but if you are looking for a more aggressive driving style, you may want to set the suspensions to a harder setting to increase the stability when cornering and braking under G-force. The Brembo front and rear suspensions are powerful and easy to control with a simple touch, and the standard Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II is also very easy to get used to and gives the driver a sense of security when driving on the track.
Peace of mind brought by the latest electrical packages
And it's Aprilia's APRC electronic control package that brings more value to the RS660 than its price. A computer directly connected to the Bosch 6-axis IMU keeps the bike stable at all times. The system optimizes the engine map, cornering ABS & Traction Control, and engine braking characteristics according to the 5 riding modes. The system also includes a quick shifter for up and down, wheelie control, and cruise control.
The RS660 is equipped with the same advanced electronic control system as the high-end RSV4. The RS660 is equipped with the same state-of-the-art system as the high-end RSV4, and this is where Aprilia's expertise comes in.
The precision and performance of the system was very reliable and I was able to jump into the corners with confidence. As for the operation of the electronic system, I was a little confused by the switch operation at first, but I soon got used to it and enjoyed the vivid colors and layout of the displays that switched depending on the mode.
Stress-free city riding and a wide range of fun
Finally, we tried a little bit of city driving, and when we set the mode to "Commute" (the best mode for city driving), the straightforward engine became even more gentle, and the various controls such as ABS and Traction Control worked early, so we were able to drive with peace of mind even in the rain. The quickshifter is so convenient that once you start using it, you won't be able to stop.
In addition, the torque is sticky even at very low speeds and the steering angle is relatively large, so the easy ride position and lightweight, compact size make it easy to get along with in everyday use without stress.
What is the fun of riding a motorcycle? What is the real joy of sport riding? This is a machine that responds with a fresh sensation to the questions that have long been asked about the true appeal of motorcycles.
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