Aprilia RS 660 Just Got Hot Again – Is This the Best First Sportbike?

Mid?weight sportbikes are having a moment, and Aprilia’s RS 660 is suddenly back on every US rider’s radar. But is it really the smarter, real?world alternative to a 600 supersport, or just hype?

Bottom line: If you want a sportbike that looks like a full-send superbike but actually works in real life, the Aprilia RS 660 is the one everyone keeps coming back to. Lighter than a 600, friendlier than a liter bike, but still properly fast.

You get Italian race-bike drip, electronics that feel way more premium than the price, and a motor that pulls hard without trying to yeet your license instantly. For US riders who want one bike to daily, canyon, and occasional track, this is the sweet spot.

What you need to know right now about the Aprilia RS 660, before you sign for a supersport you’ll hate commuting on…

Analysis: What's behind the hype

The Aprilia RS 660 has been out long enough for the honeymoon phase to be over – and it’s still pulling rave reviews from US riders and big-name reviewers. That tells you a lot.

Instead of chasing insane peak horsepower like a traditional 600, Aprilia went for usable midrange power, low weight, and superbike-level electronics in a middleweight package. It’s built by Piaggio-owned Aprilia, so it borrows tons of tech and design language from the RSV4 superbike but tuned for the actual roads you ride.

Most US reviews and owners agree on three big things:

• Ridiculously approachable for a sportbike – but still exciting if you already ride.
• Electronics package feels high-end vs Japanese rivals in the same price window.
• Real-world comfort that doesn’t destroy your wrists on the daily commute.

Core specs (US-market context)

Exact numbers can vary a bit by model year and trim, but here’s the ballpark US-spec picture pulled from recent US dealer listings and industry reviews.

Spec	Aprilia RS 660 (US market, recent model years)
Engine	659 cc parallel twin, DOHC, liquid-cooled
Power (claimed)	Approx. mid-90s hp at the crank (varies slightly by year/Euro vs US tune)
Torque (claimed)	Roughly mid-40s lb-ft, tuned for strong midrange
Wet weight	Around 400 lb class (fully fueled, depending on options)
Electronics	Ride-by-wire, multiple ride modes, traction control, wheelie control, engine-brake control, cornering ABS, quickshifter (on most trims)
Suspension	Adjustable front fork, rear monoshock (tunable for preload & rebound on most trims)
Brakes	Dual front discs with radial calipers, single rear disc, ABS
Seat height	About 32 inches range (sporty but manageable for average-height riders)
Display	TFT color dash with configurable layouts and ride-mode info
Connectivity (on select packages)	Smartphone pairing, navigation and track telemetry via Aprilia app (availability depends on year/trim)
US pricing (typical new MSRP range)	Commonly listed in the low-to-mid $11,000s USD before fees and accessories (varies by dealer, trim, and year)

Why US riders actually care

For US riders, the RS 660 sits in a very specific sweet spot: way more premium than an entry-level 300–400 cc bike, but less punishing than a full-on 600 supersport or liter bike.

Most American reviewers highlight that you can ride it to work, rip canyons on the weekend, then do a track day without needing a chiropractor or a race van. That’s a big deal in a country where your nearest twisty road might be an hour away on the freeway.

Real-world performance vs the spec sheet

Online, some numbers-only people complain that it doesn’t make the big dyno figures of 600 four-cylinders. But the reviews and user feedback tell a different story: the midrange punch is what makes the bike fun.

Owners on Reddit and YouTube consistently talk about how it pulls hard out of corners, feels eager below the redline, and never feels dead in normal-speed riding. You’re using the power, not just revving it for TikTok clips.

• In the city: The parallel twin layout keeps the bike narrow, so lane-splitting in legal states and filtering in traffic feels natural. The clutch and throttle are praised as smooth, not grabby.
• On the highway: Multiple US riders note that the bike is stable at speed and the wind protection from the fairing and mini wings is better than you’d expect for a midweight.
• On track days: Reviewers from US track schools say beginners and intermediate riders adapt to it fast because the bike communicates grip and doesn’t punish mistakes the way a 1000 does.

Electronics: where Aprilia flexes

This is where the RS 660 feels “expensive” in a good way. Compared with Japanese middleweights in a similar price band, the Italian bike’s electronics suite is a headline feature.

• Multiple ride modes tailored for street, rain, and track.
• Cornering ABS – a big deal if you’re still building skills or riding sketchy US roads.
• Traction and wheelie control tuned to be supportive, not intrusive, according to recent English-language video reviews.
• Quickshifter and auto-blipper (on most trims) that reviewers say feels smooth once you’re above cruise RPM.

Several US journalists and influencers flat-out say that the electronics you get on the RS 660 usually show up on bikes a class above in both size and price.

Comfort & ergonomics: can you daily it?

This is one of the biggest reasons US riders pick the RS 660 over a more hardcore supersport. The riding position is sporty but not sadistic.

• The bars are low enough to feel like a real sportbike but high enough that you’re not folded in half.
• Multiple riders under 5'8" and over 6'0" report that they can flat-foot or at least comfortably toe the ground.
• Seat comfort is often described as “fine for a full tank” but not Gold Wing levels – totally expected for the segment.

For US cities where your commute includes potholes, clogged freeways, and the odd canyon detour, this balance matters more than peak horsepower.

Availability and US-market angle

In the US, the Aprilia RS 660 is sold through Aprilia/Piaggio dealerships across major metro areas and many regional hubs. New-bike availability can fluctuate by colorway and trim, and some special editions sell out faster, but as of recent months, dealers in large US markets are still actively listing RS 660 units.

Pricing in the US typically falls into the low-to-mid $11K USD range before destination and dealer fees, depending on model year, paint scheme, and whether you’re getting any special editions or accessory packages. Because of the Euro-Italian origin and brand cachet, it’s usually priced above beginner 400–500 cc bikes and in the same general neighborhood as some high-spec Japanese 600s.

If you’re in the US and shopping new, you’re looking at:

• Base price: Low-to-mid $11,000s USD, depending on the specific model year and configuration.
• On-the-road cost: After freight, setup, and doc fees, many US buyers end up closer to the mid-$12K+ range – vary widely by state and dealer.
• Used market: A growing number of lightly used RS 660s on US marketplaces, often with tasteful mods, as early adopters cycle into track-only builds or bigger bikes.

Compared to rivals, US reviewers frequently note that while the RS 660 isn’t the cheapest middleweight, you’re paying for styling, electronics, and that Italian-brand feel.

What US riders are actually saying (social sentiment)

Across Reddit threads, YouTube comments, and US-based review videos, a few themes keep popping up:

• Looks: People love the mini-RSV4 vibe. Comments are full of “That’s the best-looking bike in the parking lot” energy.
• Confidence: Newer riders stepping up from 300–400 cc bikes say the RS 660 feels fast but not overwhelming.
• Handling: Described as “flickable” and “easy to place,” especially on tight US backroads and urban twisties.
• Sound: Stock exhaust is decent; slip-ons are common upgrades, with owners chasing a deeper, twin-cylinder bark.

On the flip side, the more critical posts highlight:

• Dealer network: Not as dense in the US as the big Japanese brands, especially outside major cities.
• Parts & service wait times: Some riders report longer waits for specific parts or warranty work through US dealers.
• Heat & fan noise: A few owners mention that it can run warm in heavy traffic, which is common for faired bikes with high-compression engines.

What the experts say (Verdict)

Recent English-language reviews from US-focused outlets and creators line up almost perfectly: the Aprilia RS 660 is one of the best all-round modern sportbikes if you don’t need 160+ hp to be happy.

Pros highlighted by reviewers

• Real-world performance: Strong midrange and low weight make it faster in normal riding than spec sheets suggest.
• Top-tier electronics: Traction control, cornering ABS, and ride modes that feel like they belong on a more expensive bike.
• Everyday usability: More comfortable than hardcore 600s, making it realistic as a single-bike garage for US riders.
• Styling and brand factor: It looks exotic without needing RSV4 money.
• Track-friendly: Multiple experts say it’s “the perfect learning platform” for track days because it doesn’t overwhelm you.

Cons and caveats

• Price vs Japanese middleweights: Not the value king if you only care about dollars per horsepower.
• Dealer and parts access in the US: Depends heavily on where you live; big cities are fine, rural riders may wait longer.
• Heat and fan noise in traffic: A recurring annoyance for some urban riders stuck in slow-moving US commutes.
• Long-term reliability perceptions: Nothing universally catastrophic reported, but Aprilia doesn’t have the same bulletproof reputation as the big four Japanese brands in the eyes of cautious buyers.

So, should you actually buy one?

If you’re in the US and you want:

• A bike that looks like a full-blown superbike but doesn’t punish you daily.
• Electronics that make you feel like you’re on current tech, not a warmed-over platform from a decade ago.
• Something more interesting than the usual Ninja/CBR/YZF everyone else is riding.

…the Aprilia RS 660 deserves a serious test ride. It’s not the budget choice, and you do need to care a bit about dealer proximity and support. But as a US-friendly, do-everything sportbike that still feels special every time you walk up to it, it’s absolutely in the top tier.

If you were about to sign for a used 600 supersport as your first “real” sportbike, hit pause and at least cross-shop the RS 660 – there’s a reason so many US reviewers keep calling it the smart fast choice.