RIDING OPINION # 2 The Tuareg didn ’ t disappoint . Narrow-gutted , it ’ s agile and lean enough to enjoy the gnarly , but comfy enough to get to that next section and make use of a claimed 450km range , it also helps the shorter-legged amongst us by not making you bowlegged just to get around its girth . The seat allows you to get well forward and in amongst it and that lean theme just adds to great gravel or off-road ergonomics and then there is that engine ... Re-worked to give a belly full of midrange has seen power clipped a tad , but at 80hp , it is still a mover and shaker in the 650-ish class . That redevelopment gives grunt where you ’ ll want it when playing in the loose and that power belies the Tuareg ’ s small-ish ( in the adv sector ) capacity . Keen to pull from any revs , it is a playful and stable gravel ride , lending confidence to keep it percolating . KEVIN KINGHAN
RIDING OPINION # 3 The new Aprilia Tuareg 660 has been a muchanticipated release for us adventure riding fans and a first-time look over and test ride of the bike does not disappoint . The Tuareg looks great and is styled just right in my view . It looks lean , mean and purposeful . There ’ s three colour schemes available but , for me , the Indaco Tagelmust has it over the Acid Gold and Martian Red options as it wears the heritage livery of the late 80s , early 90s Tuareg Dakar-inspired bike . The seat height is perfect for my 1.82m and the seat itself feels very plush for a more enduro style single level platform . Having spent time riding the Tuono 660 , I was expecting slightly less mumbo from the Tuareg , which gets a different tune and less horsepower . Thankfully it ’ s an equally eager powerplant , tuned for maximum torque earlier in the rev range , making it a lively unit with the same awesome induction growl and just so much fun to ride !
KIWI RIDER 43