A facelift for the bestseller: Aprilia revamps the RS 660 for 2027

With a rated power output just shy of three figures, a powerful engine character and a sporty appearance combined with everyday practicality, Aprilia’s RS660 has revitalised the mid-range sports bike segment and, in doing so, breathed new life into the Noale-based brand. It remains the brand’s best-seller to this day, a key driver of its image, and has brought the Italians’ sporting spirit to the upper mid-range segment. What’s more, its success has demonstrated to other manufacturers that modern sports bikes with manageable power and reasonable everyday practicality are highly desirable to customers.

As a result, competition in the segment has intensified and further rivals are set to follow in the near future – whilst the Venetian model enters its seventh year of production in 2027. The need to keep Aprilia’s inline-twin flagship model desirable is reason enough for the Italians to give the RS660 a facelift for the coming season. This update apparently affects several variants, with the flagship ‘Factory’ model featured in our photos. The Italian engineers are currently putting the finishing touches to this model, and the test bike we photographed offers a glimpse of what Aprilia is likely to unveil at the leading EICMA trade fair in November at the latest.

Neue Instrumente für 2027 - das Chassis bleibt gleich

Foto: BMHoehne

What is immediately apparent at first glance is that the styling of the test bike hardly differs from the current generation: the fairing parts, including the characteristic aerodynamic features, are also found on the current RS generation. It is impossible to say with any certainty whether this represents the final design or whether the plastic parts are merely being used for camouflage purposes. What is clear, however, is that the fuel tank, at the very least, has been redesigned. The ‘Factory’ model retains the suspension and damping components from the current version: This means fully adjustable Öhlins suspension with NIX 30 forks and STX 46 shock absorbers. A newly configured version combining various chassis elements from the two currently available models had already been spotted previously.

New instrumentation is also visible, accompanied by revised controls. This appears to be the 5-inch TFT colour instrument cluster that sister brand Moto Guzzi fits in the Stelvio. As for the engine, it retains the parallel-twin with a 270-degree crankpin offset. Visible modifications include the exhaust system, notably a larger exhaust manifold. The rated power output of 105 PS in both current variants is unlikely to change, and the displacement of 659 cubic centimetres also remains unchanged. However, the following features are almost certainly set to come as standard: cornering ABS with various adjustment options, traction control, wheelie control and launch control, engine braking adjustment, cruise control, a bidirectional quickshifter, variable engine mappings and various other electronic aids. The unveiling is expected to take place in November at EICMA in Milan.

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