The powerful RSV4 1100 Factory might be the bike that captures all the spotlights inside the Aprilia factory in Noale, but the Italian manufacturer had one big secret, in this case, a mid-sized secret they’ve been working to reveal at this year’s EICMA Milan motorcycle show.
Meet the Concept Aprilia RS 660!
This, as the name says, is just a concept for the time being, but Aprilia says that they’re looking into the mid-sized sportbike segment because younger riders need to have a bike like this before they move up to big bikes like the RSV4.
Keeping the RS designation that echoes to the mythic RS125 and RS250 models from the two-stroke era, the Aprilia RS 660 uses a new parallel twin-cylinder engine. Aprilia says this engine is based on the V4 that equips the Tuono 1100 and the new RSV4 1100 Factory, and they’ve chosen this configuration due to its compact size and because it doesn’t transmit too much heat to the rider while under extreme riding conditions, like for example while riding on a racetrack.
The frame and swingarm are made in aluminium like the championship winning RSV4, while the side fairings also give use to the new MotoGP style winglets so many manufacturers are using in sportbikes in 2019.
The design is somewhat similar to the RSV4, with the front cowl featuring the typical three headlights with daytime LED lights that enhance the Concept RS 660 visuals.
Aprilia also says the intent of the Aprilia RS 660 was to “make Aprilia a key player in an extremely strategic market segment in Europe, but also in Asia and the American market”, and we can’t wait to see what the Italian brand will create based on this concept.