The new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike arrived in the market with a new appearance and lightweight chassis that helps corner track and maneuver city traffic. The famous Phillip Island is a ballsy venue for the launch of a new bike, so Aprilia must be very confident in its brand new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike. It is the famous circuit in the world’s highest average speed Grand Prix track, and its ultra-fast sweepers can easily magnify even minor deficiencies in a new bike or the rider.
It was clear that a fellow rider lost the front and slid across the track centimeters right in front of my tapped-out Pirelli front tire at turn 11. I spend an oddly detached moment wondering whether Aprilia would be annoyed at me for crashing its new press motorcycle or if I would have to sign forms. But the answer was relatively easy to answer. Ballsy as it might be, Phillip Island is the ultimate place to test the ultimate performance limits of the bike.
Let’s have a detailed review of the Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike and its price and find out how this sports motorcycle copes with the legendary Island circuit.
Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike – Features and Specs
Power Package
The new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike is inspired by a very good base featuring an up-and-down quick-shifter, Brembo calipers, a TFT screen, 41mm upside-down forks, and grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV rubber. When the 2021 RS 660 was tested, it showed outstanding performance with its competent chassis, extensive rider aids, exploitable parallel-twin torque, and practical ride position.
Also Read: 2024 Aprilia RS 457 Sports Motorcycle Review
The Extrema adds to the package with a brand new single-seat tail unit, titanium SC Project-developed exhaust, and carbon fiber bodywork that strips 3kg from the standard RS 660. Such weight savings are very helpful in enhancing performance in every aspect. A fresh chequered flag livery also signals Extrema’s hot-lapping intentions.
Pricing
The new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike is available at $24,490, making it approximately $1800 more expensive than the base RS 660. However, weight savings aren’t cheap. Depending on the priority of the rider, that’s not bad value for a bespoke new titanium exhaust and carbon fiber parts, but it does put the Extrema into quite a premium price bracket.
It is extremely tricky to compare the Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike to rival machines. It kicks significantly harder than other middleweight contenders like Yamaha’s YZF-R7HO ($15,649, 56kW), Kawasaki’s Ninja 650 ($12,998, 50kW), or Honda’s CBR650R ($13,983, 70kW), which puts it in a niche category for buyers who want the grunty character of a parallel-twin but performance closer to a four-cylinder super sports bike.
Electronics and Safety Features
Just like the modern sports motorcycle, the 6-axis IMU and ECU hide some of the most party tricks. Along with cruise control and Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, the Extrema comes equipped with Aprilia’s full acronym juggling APRC electronics package.
One will get adjustable traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, engine braking, mapping, and 5 rider modes. Software tweaks also help the quick-shifter function generally for riders who prefer to swap the shift linkage to a race pattern setup.
Riding Pleasure
On track day, when it was confirmed that the track was dry despite biblical rain, ride mode was set to dynamic. It quickly became apparent that the traction control setting was quite conservative, reining in the fun even at a moderate pace. Winding the TC and wheelie control settings back to a minimum in “Time Trial” mode had the Extrema punching off corners with much more zest.
On certain sections of track, like Siberia, the exit drive is startlingly rapid and requires a recalibration of my line to avoid launching the motorcycle over the outer ripple strip. If you’re so inclined, the mid-range is more than capable of hoisting up the front wheel in the first and second gear.
One may run out of steam at the top end, but how the engine builds from a throaty growl to a rorty RSV4-like crescendo makes it fun to squeeze every last rev out of the digital tacho. Phillip Island is all about corner speed, and there’s enough mumbo on tap to build up serious momentum through its quick bends.
The corner names are enough to give GP riders night sweats-Hayshed Doohan Corner, Stoner Curve – but the combination of a capable chassis with friendly power delivery makes the new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike a confidence-inspiring tool.
Should You Buy Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike
In the era of 160kW-Plus hyper sports motorcycles, dubbing this svelte version of the RS 660, the “Extrema” could be seen as laying it on a bit thick. But it certainly is extremely fun to throw around a racetrack, and that is really what it should be all about.
The new Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike would suit somebody who wants a practical commuter motorcycle but still wants quality components, electronics, and some fun on a track.
One will need a reasonable bank balance to part it in his garage for approximately $25k, but in the long run, that might be cheaper than lobbing a 1000cc plus rocketship into the weeds before you’re ready for it.
Aprilia RS 660 Extrema 2024 Sports Bike – Technical Specifications
Engine
| Type | Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC parallel-twin, four valves per cylinder |
| Capacity | 659cc |
| Bore x stroke | 81 x 63.93 mm |
| Compression ratio | 13.5:1 |
| Engine management | Ride-by-wire engine management |
Performance
| Claimed maximum power | 73.5kW at 10500 pm |
| Claimed maximum torque | 67.0Nm at 8500 pm |
| Electronics | Six-axis inertial platform, AEB (engine braking), APRC package containing ATC (traction control), AWC (wheelie control), AEM (engine maps) and ACC (cruise control). 5 Riding modes (Road & Track, three fixed & two customizable). Reverse shifting software. |
Transmission
| Type | Six-speed |
| Final drive | Chain, with drive ratio: 17/43 |
| Clutch | The multi-plate wet clutch including a mechanical slip system |
Chassis and Running Gear
| Frame | Aluminum dual beam |
| Front Suspension | Kayaba 41mm stanchion fork, aluminum radial caliper mounting bracket, adjustable spring preload, & rebound damping. 120mm wheel travel |
| Rear Suspension | Aluminum asymmetric swingarm, mono shock with adjustable spring preload, rebound damping |
| Front brakes | 320mm double discs, Brembo radial calipers with four 32mm opposing pistons, radial pump and metal braided brake hose, ABS |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc; Brembo caliper with two 34mm separate pistons, pump including integrated tank & metal braided hose, multimap cornering ABS |
| Tires | Pirelli Diablo IV – front 120/70-17, rear 180/55-17 |
Dimensions and Capacities
| Rake | 24.1 degrees |
| Trail | 104.6mm |
| Claimed wet weight | 180kg |
| Wheelbase | 1370mm |
| Seat height | 820mm |
| Fuel capacity | 15L |
Other Stuff
| Price | $24,490 ride away |
| Availability | Now |
| Colors | White Chequered Flag |
