The 2025 Aprilia RS 660 Base model takes the renowned middleweight sportbike into new territory with a host of performance upgrades, refined aerodynamics, and advanced electronics. Aprilia’s design philosophy for this bike revolves around enhancing both the track-ready characteristics and everyday usability, creating a motorcycle that feels at home on a racetrack while remaining fully capable for the road.
Powertrain and Performance
The core of the 2025 RS 660 is its 659cc parallel-twin engine, which offers a smooth, high-revving character. This power unit has been fine-tuned for the 2025 model year, delivering an increased output of 105 horsepower at the crankshaft—an improvement over the previous year’s 100 hp. While the engine displacement remains unchanged, the significant increase in power is largely due to revised engine components, including new 52mm throttle bodies, which replace the 48mm units used in earlier models. The revised engine also benefits from a new exhaust system that meets Euro 5+ emissions standards while contributing to better overall performance. This change means the RS 660 can produce more power while remaining efficient and compliant with modern environmental standards.
The engine is paired with a six-speed transmission, equipped with a quick-shifter for seamless upshifts and downshifts without the need for clutch operation. The quick-shifter is bidirectional, meaning it works in both directions, offering a more race-like experience, especially when aggressive gear changes are required during spirited riding. Additionally, the RS 660 Base features a slipper clutch to ensure smooth downshifts without rear-wheel lockup, adding another layer of safety and stability.
Chassis and Handling
Aprilia’s engineering team has always placed significant emphasis on creating a lightweight, responsive, and stable chassis, and the 2025 RS 660 continues this legacy. The bike’s frame is a twin-spar aluminum design that uses the engine as a stressed member, offering exceptional rigidity and strength while keeping the overall weight low. This setup contributes to the bike’s agile handling and precise steering, allowing it to be flicked through corners with minimal effort.
The chassis is complemented by a fully adjustable front and rear suspension setup. The front suspension consists of a 41mm Kayaba inverted fork, which offers compression, rebound, and preload adjustments to cater to different riding styles and road conditions. At the rear, the RS 660 uses a fully adjustable monoshock from Sachs, which offers similar customization options for damping and preload, ensuring optimal performance whether on the track or on twisty back roads. Both the front and rear suspension systems offer excellent performance, with enough adjustability to cater to riders of varying experience levels.
To further improve handling, the RS 660 Base features a lightweight 17-inch front and rear alloy wheel set. These wheels are designed to reduce unsprung weight, which is crucial for improving suspension responsiveness and cornering agility. When paired with high-performance tires, the RS 660 delivers exceptional grip, whether you’re on the street or pushing the limits on a racetrack.
The braking system is another area where Aprilia has put a lot of focus. The RS 660 Base comes equipped with dual 320mm front discs paired with radial-mounted Brembo calipers, providing excellent stopping power and control. At the rear, there is a 220mm disc with a single-piston caliper. The braking system is further enhanced by cornering ABS, which ensures that the brakes remain effective even when leaning into corners, providing confidence-inspiring stopping power.
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Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics play a crucial role in a sportbike’s performance, especially at higher speeds. For 2025, Aprilia has heavily invested in improving the RS 660’s aerodynamics by designing a new, more aggressive fairing. The fairing features integrated winglets on the sides, inspired by the brand’s MotoGP technology. These winglets are strategically placed to enhance high-speed stability by channeling airflow over the rider and bike more efficiently. The result is improved downforce, reducing the front wheel’s tendency to lift under heavy acceleration or braking.
In addition to these winglets, the fairing features a larger, more prominent windscreen that provides better wind protection for the rider at high speeds. Aprilia has also refined the shape of the fairing to optimize airflow around the engine, radiator, and other critical components, which contributes to more efficient cooling and better overall engine performance.
The fairing itself is constructed using lightweight, high-strength materials, which help reduce the overall weight of the bike while maintaining durability. The design also incorporates sharp lines and aggressive angles, giving the RS 660 Base a striking appearance that reflects its performance-oriented nature.
Electronics and Ride Modes
One of the standout features of the 2025 RS 660 Base is its comprehensive electronics package. The motorcycle is equipped with the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) system, which includes an array of features designed to enhance rider safety, performance, and overall riding experience. The APRC system incorporates multiple ride modes, each of which adjusts the bike’s behavior based on the rider’s preferences and the riding conditions.
The three primary ride modes—Commute, Sport, and Track—offer varying levels of intervention from the motorcycle’s electronic systems. The Commute mode prioritizes comfort and safety, reducing the level of traction control intervention and providing a more relaxed throttle response. Sport mode, on the other hand, enhances performance, with a more responsive throttle and higher levels of traction control intervention, providing a balance between sporty riding and safety. Track mode is the most aggressive, offering minimal intervention and allowing the rider to push the bike to its limits on a racetrack.
In addition to the ride modes, the APRC system includes adjustable traction control, which can be fine-tuned based on rider preference. The system monitors the slip rate of the rear wheel and automatically adjusts the level of traction control to prevent wheelspin in varying conditions. Additionally, the RS 660 features a wheelie control system, which prevents the front wheel from lifting excessively during hard acceleration.
Other electronic features include launch control, which allows for optimized starts, and cruise control, which can be activated during highway riding for comfort. The bike also features a bidirectional quick-shifter, which allows for fast, smooth gear changes without the need for clutch input, improving both the performance and enjoyment of the riding experience.
Display and Interface
The 2025 RS 660 Base is equipped with a large 5-inch full-color TFT display, which is both easy to read and visually appealing. The display features optical bonding technology, which minimizes reflections and improves visibility in varying lighting conditions. It offers a customizable interface, allowing riders to select different layouts based on their preferences. The TFT display provides all necessary riding information, such as speed, rpm, gear position, fuel level, and trip information, in a clean, concise format.
For added convenience, the handlebar controls are backlit, making it easier for riders to operate the bike’s functions, even in low-light conditions. The interface is user-friendly, with a menu structure that allows riders to easily navigate through the various settings and options, from adjusting ride modes to fine-tuning the APRC system.
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Design and Aesthetics
The 2025 RS 660 Base retains the sleek, aggressive design that has become synonymous with Aprilia’s sportbike lineup. The bodywork features sharp, aerodynamic lines and sculpted surfaces, which not only enhance the bike’s visual appeal but also contribute to its aerodynamic efficiency. The front of the bike features a distinctive LED headlamp design, with a narrow, aggressive stance that gives the RS 660 a sporty, almost menacing look.
The bike is available in two color options: Venom Yellow and Blue Marlin. Both colors feature bold, contrasting graphics that highlight the bike’s performance-oriented nature. The RS 660 also features high-quality finishes, with the frame and swingarm finished in matte black, and the engine components coated for durability and aesthetics.
2025 Aprilia RS 660 Base – Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 659cc parallel-twin, 105 horsepower, Euro 5+ compliant, larger 52mm throttle bodies |
| Transmission | 6-speed gearbox with bidirectional quick-shifter and slipper clutch |
| Suspension | Front: 41mm Kayaba inverted fork, fully adjustable; Rear: Sachs monoshock, fully adjustable |
| Brakes | Front: Dual 320mm Brembo discs with radial-mounted calipers; Rear: 220mm disc with single-piston caliper, cornering ABS |
| Electronics | Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) system, including traction control, launch control, cruise control, cornering ABS, multiple riding modes (Commute, Sport, Track) |
| Display | 5-inch full-color TFT display with optical bonding for improved visibility, customizable interface |
| Chassis | Twin-spar aluminum frame using the engine as a stressed member, lightweight design for agility and performance |
| Aerodynamics | Redesigned fairing with integrated winglets for improved stability and airflow |
| Colors | Venom Yellow, Blue Marlin |
| Weight | Approx. 403 lbs (wet) |
| Pricing | Pricing not officially announced, check with local dealers for availability |
| Key Features | Bidirectional quick-shifter, advanced APRC system, cornering ABS, track-ready performance |
Conclusion
The 2025 Aprilia RS 660 Base is a significant step forward in the evolution of this popular middleweight sportbike. With its increased engine power, improved aerodynamics, advanced electronics, and striking design, the RS 660 is designed to offer a top-tier riding experience for riders who want a bike that is just as capable on the track as it is on the street.
Whether you’re looking for a fun, lightweight bike for spirited rides on winding roads or a machine that can hold its own on a racetrack, the RS 660 Base delivers in every aspect. It combines cutting-edge technology with performance-focused engineering, creating a motorcycle that appeals to a broad range of riders—those who want a bike that is both thrilling to ride and easy to live with.
With its competitive pricing and track-ready features, the 2025 Aprilia RS 660 Base sets a new benchmark for the middleweight sportbike category, continuing Aprilia’s legacy of producing high-performance motorcycles that combine cutting-edge technology with passion for motorsport.