R Vijay Krishnan Aug 2, 2021
Almost two years after teasing the Tuareg 660 at EICMA, Aprilia has finally unveiled the production ready version due to arrive later in 2021 as a 2022 model. Now while this is not news that shakes the adventure motorcycle community to its core (mainly owing to the lack of recall between Aprilia and adventure bikes).
But what many don’t realise is that this new motorcycle is indeed the heir to a small legacy set in motion by the company in the 80’s with the O.G. Tuareg, an ambitious line of rally-raid style bikes aimed at conquering events such as the gruelling Dakar Rally. It did eventually end up doing just as the last-of-the-line Tuareg Wind 600 made its mark in Paris-Dakar racing.
That being said, the above mentioned praises are but gentle pats on the back as these achievements pale into obscurity when you look at the sort of bikes that the Tuareg will go up against. With a design that looks sort of like a lovechild of the Yamaha Tenere and the newer Africa Twins, it is by no means stand out-ish when it comes to looks. But what it is a more flamboyant choice in a room full of your regular joes.
So the Tuareg won’t win the beauty contest, but what does it have in store?
Well, an all new engine is a good place to start! It comes with a brand new 660cc Parallel Twin Mill that sort of looks like the forward tilting half of the company’s revered RSV4 1100 V-four mill. Now that’s some base to start with. It will basically be a detuned version of the engines on their newly launched RS and Tuono versions.
The engine will be mated to a 6 speed gearbox and from all the noise coming out from the brand, we can say that this engine’s party piece is going to be the mountain of torque associated with big Aprilia motorcycles.
This coupled with a super light package and this motorcycle promises to be a fun and engaging middleweight. In other areas, the bike has a adjustable Lon travel suspension, a trick trellis frame chasis, some screens, 4 riding modes and all the necessary nannies to keep up with the competition.
Everything looks great on paper but the biggest disappointment for me so far has been the design. Being Italian, that is the ONE thing I certainly expected it to be. I am not the biggest fan of the Multistrada…but one thing I have to give it is the design. Its got so much flair and the “look at me!!” Factor that Italian machines are known for. Well not this one!
Let us know your thoughts on the new bike. Do you think it would interest you if you were in the market for a thereabouts bike?