24 May 2024

Aprilia Tuareg reborn

Named after Saharan nomads, the Tuareg made quite an impression when Aprilia first launched a range of adventure bikes under the moniker a shade under four decades ago.

A little under 30 years after production ceased, the Italian manufacturer revived its desert bike.

But, thanks to a lightweight design and pokey parallel twin, it’s as at home on the sand as it is tarmac.

Paul Browne reports.

 

The Tuareg name was first adopted by Aprilia back in the mid-eighties, before being dropped from the line-up a little under a decade later.

Then, a few short years ago, the Italian company launched a new machine that used the old name; the Tuareg 660.

This is now a bike with a proven record both on and off the road and lives up to its promise to make the trails more accessible to the traditional road rider.

Weight watcher

The Aprilia utilises a clever power-to-weight ratio. So while, at only 659cc, the engine is smaller than traditional dual sport machines, it’s a whole lot lighter – at only 187 kilos dry – and much more agile.

The seat is a shade under 860mm high, but it’s also narrower. This allows for the best of both worlds, working well for riders of smaller and taller stature.

Being powered by a parallel-twin that puts out 80bhp along with 70 Nm of torque offers me all I need to put it through its paces.

Timely torque

The way the Tuareg delivers its power in the lower end of the rev range is what makes it easier to ride.

The torque comes in nice and early, allowing me to pull away from traffic lights with ease.

Also at play here is the way that the bike’s weight is distributed.

The central mass of the machine is all built to sit slightly in front of and below the rider.

This works very well when in a seated position. Once I stand up it becomes even better.

Live aids

Once on board I find a generous 18-litre tank as well as a host of rider aids.

These include an ability to set the engine breaking as well as the mapping.

There’s also an option to use cruise control, not something that I’m ever going to get used to seeing on a bike in this class!

The traction control levels can be set, or simply turned off. That’s true too of the ABS. All of this is managed through a selection of four riding modes which are all easy to select via the bikes TFT screen.

The Aprilia Tuareg is retailed in Ireland by Megabikes where one will cost €13,149.

Aprilia motorcycle insurance quote? Call our specialist two-wheel team on 0818 945 950.

 

 

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