Bought the wrong bike (T7). Aprilia Tuareg 660 demo ride! 

That's really funny. She did you right, pushed you to the 660 and now she's out of picture leaving you all time you could ever want to ride! I call that a win win.

Sounds like she's from LA

I was in Northern Baja.. nothing anywhere so I called a guy in Arkansas, same thing, backlog because of Covid, he took my deposit and I was going to fly and ride home, wanted white, guy called to say bike was running late waited another 7 weeks bike came in the wrong color!! He refunded my deposit without any problems.. ended up getting a Honda 450 in the meanwhile, bike has zero road manners but for Baja it's really a standard. I love all motorcycles, some more than others but I steer clear of exotics , even in S. California though to get parts and service and super limited aftermarket.. don't know what you do if you are riding a Moto Guzzi, Ducati, CFMoto or Aprilia and you have trouble..CF Moto just added a bunch of space and staff in Monterrey, NL Mexico which is a @24 hour drive from Baja..I am a fan of Aprilia but I don't have the budget for 3 motorcycles!!

@@randycallow3736 I get you. I have too many bike as well. I am finding quite a few choices for skid plates and crash bars for the Tuareg. There are parts out there but you have to look for them. Now that I have dealership in town it will help and I was told where to get OEM parts online with a fast delivery so I feel pretty good about that. I am hearing good things from owners. Motorcycles are the best. Cheers.

It is difficult to understand women, but I think this was quite a clear case. She was actually saying that you should get a Ducati. You were lucky that you didn't get that way. 😁

I would love to have tubeless wheels on the T7 without spending another $2500. I like the look better too. My riding style has really changed this year so having cruise control is really a big deal for me. I get one week a month to get on the bike and I have been doing big mileage to get to cool places. The T7 wears me out on 450+ mile days. I don't expect that is typical for most riders on this bike, but it is what I am doing now. The high exhaust aftermarket kit on the Tenere is pretty cool. I would like to see something like that on the Tuareg, but the exhaust doesn't fold into the swing arm like it does on the T7. The T7 still has some good aspects, like the great engine. Cheers.

I agree. It's like Yamaha and BMW got drunk one night and made a baby!

@@advmatt LMAO!!!🤣

@@advmatt So true, wheels (rims) other than size are the same as on GS1250 and mirrors too :) I bought mine before Christmas last year 1.6k miles on the clock and I'm loving it.

Great to know. Thanks.

It sure seems like a lot of thought went into the design of this bike and Aprilia really seems to have hit the mark. Electronics, suspension and tubeless wheels show how this bike was thought out.

A modern Impala is a pretty impressive car.

I hear you. I am going to try to start wheeling and dealing this week. Although, I need to keep at least one bike. Always have a backup! Cheers.

​@@advmatt ktm 390 👍

Better, better, better.... costs may add up over time, but the experience will be worth it.

And shit..y reliability

@@advmatt So what you are saying is , no matter what breaks down and you have to fix over time, it will be worth it....That is bit of oxymoron, I think. I suppose that depends on "where and when" it breaks down. Well to be honest...I have a T7, and love it...its a gem...I will never sell it...but I am starting to save up for a DE800 to add to my fleet, and would never buy or even consider buying an Aprillia....because they aren't reliable, and there are no dealers where I live realistically. I have my standards.

@@greyfisher3897 see my previous comment. Have you ever owned an Aprilia or personally know anyone who has owned an Aprilia? If so then perhaps you are correct with your reliability assessment. The T7 has its place and does some things really well. The engine is spectacular. I briefly considered the DE800 but it didn't fit what I wanted either, but it is also a brilliant bike for the correct rider. I can see your concern with Aprilia if you don't have nearby dealers. That is why I purchased the T7, but now i am ready to give it a try. I will see how I feel about it after 10k/20k/30k miles. I plan to roll them up on this bike quickly. Cheers.

Good move stepping aside from the T7. I hope to have one by the end of the month, if I can make it work. Lots of content will coming. Hope you are enjoying the new bike. Cheers.

Right on, glad to hear from someone else who had the same epiphany. The Tuareg does it right .

Great to hear you enjoying it, and you will soon have a reason to tune in again. Working out the details to have one in two weeks.

How does the weight of the Tuareg compare to the 390? The 390 really is a great bike but it just doesn't move me. The Tuareg along with the 701 LR are on my short list.

@@godspeed44 The Tuareg weighs 450 pounds so about 70 pounds more than the 390 Adv. The engine of Tuareg is awesome. The bike feels like a thoroughbred race horse. It wants to run hard and fast. I think it depends on the type of riding you plan to do. If you are planning long distance rides with some offroad the Tuareg is better the choice. If you plan mostly offroad with sections of pavement the 701LR will be better.

Great advice, and I have also been looking at the 23s with the discounts. I hope I can pull it off. There is no reason to wait and lose good riding time. The Tusk 2Track tires are awesome. I have a long term test to edit. I have 4500 miles on them. The front tire is starting to cup on the center lug. The rear tire has at least another 1k miles left in it. I really enjoyed ripping these tires and I put a lot of road miles on them.

What kills me about the Aprilia is its weight. My gosh. Is it even centered low? The bike I put the most miles on, and have been riding for years, is unfortunately a top-heavy beast that I have never been able to pick up solo (gen1 Versys) and thus I can't go solo off-road with it. So that leaves me with thumpers and the way they're not great distance machines :( So how easy is it to pick up the Aprilia when it's tipped over for a dirt nap?

@@suzyamerica4679 I don't personally have any experience picking this bike up but it should be easier than the T7, and I have had to hoist it up a few times. Heavy, but I wad able to do it alone. I expect the Tuareg will be similar.

@@suzyamerica4679T660 is much easier to pickup 💯

Nice. Really great to hear this endorsement. I pick mine up in two weeks. Can't wait. Cheers!

@@Kelly-oq9nh just rolled 10k miles on mine in the less then five months. Best bike I have ever ridden.

I am back to doing really long days, 400 to 500 a day, multi days ina trip. As much as love the little 390, those are long days and the wind out west is relentless. I get blown all over on the 390 or can't keep speed. I have really learned a lot in the past few trips. The Tuareg offers a little more, still thinking.... Cheers.

Stuart, we need to hope on flights and perform and intervention! - Frank

That is a bit of issue for me too, but I have decided I can ignore it or drop by the service center to see if they can clear it for me. I will still do the service myself. I am surprised someone hasn't developed an app that will interface with the bike to clear this code. Maybe its coming.

@@advmatt I suspect there is no solution without contacting Aprilla's central servers (I'm a software programmer). I wouldn't expect any 3rd party solutions. My local dealer quoted $108 to clear the light.

Wow, that's a lot to clear the light. I will live with it. I thought maybe Motoscan or something like would have a compatible app like they do for BMW using an OBD link. Oh well.

@@wuliwales5191 have you ridden a Taureg? The riding doesn't conpare.

Nice. It seems like such a great bike.

I have been using the Ear Peace plugs that work much better than expected. I also have silicon earplugs that fit fairly deep in the ear canal that work pretty good and much more comfortable than foam ear plugs.

Great to hear. I will rack up lots of miles on it.

Same here. I'm at about 9400 I think and I would say the only issue I've had was the oil filter loosening itself up over time. It's either it loosens itself up or you have to crank it down with the strength of a gorilla just to keep it on LOL.

Have you ridden one of these bikes? It fits well in the Adventure motorcycle segment and is really one of the best rides out there compared to other bikes in the same segment. Go for a test ride on this bike and then get back to me.

I agree, I have to want to ride the bike I have. I still like riding the KTM but 400 to 500 mile days on that bike are a lot of work, same as the T7. I have some reasons that I will likely keep all of them for a period. I know the service intervals are going to be expensive. I will do oil changes my self and maybe even try to do the valve clearance check myself if it doesn't require dropping the engine like the T7, or so I have heard.

I understand that. I still carry spare tubes that I can throw in if I get a flat and the tire can't be repaired or the bead pops off. I did the same thing with my GS. I try to be prepared for as much as possible. Its a little added insurance minimal weight.

The GS comparison seems strange but it is how it felt to me too. I look forward to to getting to know this bike ever better. Cheers.

I don't miss monkey, but I had a blast riding out east. It was much more fun than I expected and there elements of riding out east I will miss. Riding out west is a whole different beast. Wide, wide open roads as far as the eye can see is changing my needs. Glad we were able to meet up. The new KTM 390 Adventure looks promising if it ever gets released. Cheers.

@@VilnisBrilcs I am with you. The T660 is the most fun bike I have ever ridden. It's so easy to ride and really rips. It has the ergonomics and electronics similar to a GS with much less weight. Check out Motea for seats. I don't how they are but the price isn't too bad. I may swap mine out too.

Copy. I'm going to check them and Sergeant out.

Understandable, maybe give a year or two more and see how the reliability is then. There will be a lot of bikes with higher mileage to see how they hold up.

The issue of reliability Is Just a Legend. Where are the data to supporto this claim?

@@bluemindmaverickpeace2281 I hope you are correct. Mine has already had a counter shaft seal fail.

@advmatt Here in the UK there are loads of issues with them! Fork internals is the latest issue I ve seen, not assembled correctly. There is no question the Aprilia is a great bike but there are just too many niggles with it.

@@iangriffiths9930 yeah, I hear you. I will get the full Tuareg experience. I plan to share every bit of it, good and bad. I have seen some of the bad experiences from riders.

I agree with the reliability, but I have been spending 450+ miles a day in saddle on my T7 and it is a grind. The Tubeless wheels and cruise control will be nice additions. 2023 models are highly discounted right now making them cost the same as the T7. I will keep the T7 for a bit until I have confidence in the 660 reliability.

Agreed. It is great see we are pretty much all of the same moto tribe.

I hear you. My riding style has dramatically changed in the last few months. What worked last year and the year before that doesn't work for me now. I am sure down the road things will change again.

Thanks for commenting. One of my issues with the T7 is long distance touring. I get one week a month to ride somewhere so it's a couple of 450+ mile days to get where I want to be. Ride dirt roads for a few days, see stuff then slog home. The T7 is not great for those long days. In the dirt I really like it, on the road not so much. We all have different requirements from out bikes. Mine has just dramatically changed. The T7 is still a great bike for its intended purpose, forest roads, with some paved, but not too much. Cheers.

I hear you. The wide open west requires a bit more. The 390 was great in Cali for mountains in my backyard. It was fantastic out east, everything is mountainous, no long stretches. Many 400 to 500 mile days in a single trip is exhausting on the wrong bike. Aprilia has good financing deals on their bikes. I plan to take advantage of it, if that is something you are considering. Cheers.

I am looking forward to racking up huge miles on this bike. Same as you, I found it to be better I'm nearly every way. The T7 CP2 engine is hard to beat, but as a package, no comparison. Cheers.

For sure this bike would be a replacement. If they make an adventure version with this engine and electronics it will be very popular. Fingers crossed, it would be a great bike, at least in concept.

Did you have bad a bad experience as an Apeilia customer or are you reporting second hand information?

@@francescoporcari8597 I said in the end that I have owned both. I have the worst customer service I ever had not only in motorcycles but in everything. I love their motorcycles, but the customer service is the worst ever. This is very sad.

My dealers (I actually have 2 nearby) have been great. Not that I have had extensive work done. Just a blown fuse and regular maintenance. Yes, people in the USA have complained of difficulty getting parts, but I think that is a distribution issue. In Europe, it seems to be easier.

@@ph0t0g56 I live in Greece, which is really close to Italy. My motorcycle had random cut offs 15 times in less than 4.000km. After several attempts to fix the problem, I asked them to take the bike back and hlgive me a new one because this is not safe, and I cannot keep participating in trials of an already selling motorcycle. They probably sold me a faulty product, and nobody took responsibility of this. A serious company(no matter the size of it) should have taken the bike back and give me another. Tuareg is the best all around bike I ever had. But sadly this chapter is closed for me.

@@ph0t0g56 my experience has been good too, from Europe, and Italy in particular.

I figured it was a setting issue. I wasn't too bothered knowing I can adjust it. I will try to get the quick shifter, great recommendation. I love modes. Cheers.

Thanks! Picking mine up in 2 weeks. Can't wait, got a 2023 at a discount. Yeah!

I think it really depends on the skill of the rider. A very skilled rider will likely do more with the T7 than the Tuareg, but a very unskilled rider, like myself, will get more out of the Tuareg than the T7. It is better suited for very long days in the saddle, think 500 mile days. As for reliability, I am hearing from many owners of the Tuareg that they have had close to 10k problem free miles. I will find out for myself. Everyone's needs are different and different bikes suit different styles of riding.

I was blown away by it. I had low expectations and was really surprised.

@@advmatt they checked lots of boxes!!!

I agree. I really like how they look, but model year 2023s are really discounted right now.

@@advmatt for sure I’d def grab a leftover and save over the new colors

@@Adventure_blac that's what I am hoping to do.

Just purchased one. Gears are good, no hazards. It's really fun to ride. It wants to be ridden fast.

@@advmatt They called me and let me know that is three hours away from home, they are going to bring it to a dealer closer to me, going to see it in a few days 🤞🏻, first 2024 black in PR, yess!

@@jorgeisanabria773 enjoy it.

I need more time on the bike to really feel where the heat comes from. My T7 is pretty dang hot so I am not sure i feel much of a difference. Good to know it is from the radiator. I will keep that in mind.

I am planning to keep the T7 for awhile longer. I still have a few things I want to do with it, and I might keep it as a back up bike and a buddy bike when friends come to visit, at least for a while. I agree the looks are odd, but I kind of like the unique look.

I get your point. Offroad riding is subjectively rider defined. I consider offroad riding anything off of pavement, dirt roads, forest roads and some jeep trails, not single track. As you indicated most ride 90% on road on these "adventure bikes". That is the case for me. I just rode 650 miles each way to Big Bend NP to ride the jeep trails around the park for a few days. The T7 wore me out on the longer days of over 450 miles to get to the destination and home. The electronics package will make doing these kind of trips much easier. Dual sport bikes would awful this type of long distance riding. The adventure bikes provide a better ride. Many Tuareg owners have left comments here letting all of us know they have nearly 10k trouble free miles on their bikes so far. Every rider has to make their own assessment on which bike is right for them. I will find out how the Tuareg does and if the trade offs between it and the T7 are worth the change. I will not being installing hard cases of any kind. I have a DIY rackless setup on my T7 that is very compact and is working great. I will do the same with the Tuareg. The trend for a lot of adventure riders I meet is to move to rackless small setups for the reasons you mention, falling over and too much added weight with hard cases (injury too). I don't see many bikes on the Backcountry Discovery Routes with hard cases. A few, but not many. Most of us use soft bags. Thanks for commenting. Cheers.

I didn't realize the T7 was rocking a much bigger sprocket. Makes think I want to add a bigger one to the Tuareg, maybe. I found the gearing of the T7 to be off. First gear is too low and second gear is too high. To keep riding it I need to change the gearing for offroad. I agree with my brief experience. The only area I see the T7 is better is the engine. The CP2 is a fantastic engine. Cheers.

Just drop one tooth on front, it’s better than adding 4 on back gear. Lighter chain length = weight, less power to turn.

@@ChrisSauer-oe5ve I might compromise and see if I can add two teeth to the rear. I will be doing a lot of road miles to get to cool dirt miles.

I agree, life is really short and time is going so dang fast. I decided not to wait. What's the point, lose the summer and fall, no thanks. Great tip on the heated grips. I have gotten good at the Oxford install. I wasn't planning to get the quick shifter but several others have also recommended it so its on the list. Cheers.

Yep, Motopia. I opted for a 2023 model due to the discount, but the color schemes are sweet.

It was mind blowing! Complete surprise.

I understand not wanting to give contact info. I hate doing that. Find a place to do a test ride. You won't regret it.

@@powertrip1050 it's an amazing bike. Love mine.

Long days and big miles in the saddle are ahead of me to get to places I want to see and ride around. Just finished a 1400 mile, five day trip to Big Bend NP. It was a grind on the T7. I think the Tuareg offers more comfort. Comparison videos coming. I will keep the 390, T7 and whatever the next bike is. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers dude!

I am okay with 90, but over 100 is when I start to complain. I will ride in freezing temps too.

I’ve road the T660 in 100+ degrees, it’s a little hotter, but nothing I couldn’t handle 🙄

@@ChrisSauer-oe5ve I rode my T7 in 100 heat offroad and my feet felt like they were melting. Don't expect the Tuareg feel any different. At highway speeds it will be fine. Thanks for letting me know.

The Tuareg is a fantastic bike. It will be a big change from your CRF300. I don't think you'll regret it.

Well there's no comparison between the heat of the old 1215 Tiger and the tuareg's.

@@francescoporcari8597I don’t know as I have no experience with the Tuareg, but I do know that it was not funny with the tiger and that is when I decided to never buy a bike again that has bad heat management

Its worth swinging a leg over this bike to see how it fits you. The price is lower than the 890ADV R, but maybe not as spirited. There seems to be a lot of value.

​@advmatt here in MN I can get a leftover 23 890r for same price as a 24 660 (no 23's left)...no brainer to go 890r?

@@davidgrunklee8407 I have not ridden the 890R. It is hard for me to point you in one direction or another. The Tuareg has a lower seat height and weighs a little less before adding a protection package. The ergonomics of the Tuareg are pretty good. I don't know about the 890R. I prefer the cross spoked tubeless wheels over the KTM setup. You can put a tube in a cross spoke setup in an emergency. You can't install a tube in the KTM wheels. There are a handful of minor differences that make me prefer the Tuareg, buts it's a subjective choice.

Great tip thanks. I am really excited to get on this bike. Plenty of Tuareg content coming.

I had it in offroad mode, but I don't know where the traction control was set or the throttle map since it was a demo bike. I suspect the dealership might have made some adjustments to keep it dialed back a little. I pick up mine in a week, can't wait to start riding it. I will keep the T7 for a bit, partly to do some comparison videos. Long term the T7 will find another home. Cheers.

I just did the springs on mine, huge difference. Video coming soon.

The seat height is really good for an adventure bike, around 33", the balance is low and its very comfortable to ride.

Sadly the World Raid is not scheduled to make it to the United States. Throttle locks are ok for small breaks but with long straight roads of the southwest part of the United States it doesn't quite cut it. I have tried the throttle locks. The throttle return spring is just heavy enough that after a five or six hours of slogging it on the road my arm and shoulder starts to ache. I know my riding is not typical. A day or two of big miles followed by some fun dirt miles than two more really long days to get home. It is what I have right now, and the T7, as good as it is in the dirt, doesn't suit my needs.

Awesome. It is a great ride!

You just stated all the reasons I am pursuing this bike. I look forward to really getting to know it. Cheers.

I come from the other side of cruise control. I had it on my R1200GS and it made it so much easier to ride big miles. I live in the mountains of New Mexico and if I want to ride in the late winter or early spring I have to go to the desert. I have been spending days riding 450+ miles. This is exhausting on the T7. My shoulder, wrist and elbow really start aching from keep the throttled open. I have a throttle lock but it only provides temporary relief. I do big miles to get where I want to go. I know not everyone does that, so I find cruise control really helpful to make long days more comfortable.

The engine rips on this bike. It is so much fun to ride. If you find one your your garage you won't regret it.

Fantastic to hear. I rode my T7 in 100 degree heat on Big Bend NP and my feet were killing me from the engine heat. I doubt the Tuareg is any worse. Ride on!

I pick mine up in two weeks.

I think you are right. I have seen that some riders were able to significantly drop the heat by replacing the exhaust, but it was not cheap. Seems like there are plenty of modifications that can be done for anyone that likes to tinker, like I do. Cheers.

Great filter recommendation. I have seen that from others. I have a long list of parts and mods to get the bike to fit me and how I ride. Everything you mentioned and more.

Great advice and exactly what I have been thinking. Time is going so dang fast there is really no point in waiting. Tomorrow will come and go in a blink. I said six to eight months but I am trying to do something this month. No point in losing the summer and fall on a bike I am not excited about. Cheers!

I feel you. The Tuareg hits the sweet spot. I am using silicon earplug, no particular brand. I have also started using Earpiece earplugs with the 30dB filter. Both of these are much better than what I had been using. Here is a link for a similar earplug. amzn.to/4azHR3K

I am picking up a 2023 that was priced about the same as a Tenere. Should have it in a week. I am looking forward to piling up the miles on this bike. Like you said, it is so much fun. I will trade boring and ultra reliable for outstanding fun and maybe slow to get some parts. Riding is an emotional experience. It needs to move me. This bike does it. Cheers.

The electronics are pretty amazing for a bike at this price point. It is a highlight for sure. The rider defined mode is fantastic. I will set that up for offroad ripping. Cheers.

That is what I was thinking. Just needed to adjust the modes for what I wanted.

2023 models have good discounts while they last, which I what I am purchasing. Gets the price close to the T7.

If I can find someone near by that has a Transalp I will do a initial impressions video, but right now I don't know anyone with one. I am willing to give this bike a try, but I am not shelving the T7 just yet. I need to get some confidence in the Tuareg first.

@@petertrout7866 I often forget to mention my height. Knowing my inseam is better. I have 10k mile review coming that has this information. My inseam is 33".

Thanks for sharing your experience on this bike. Sometimes the experience is worth more than the maintenance costs. I have seem some posts of issues after break in but for the most part riders seem really happy with this bike. Cheers.

I have seen a few different reasons for the oil filter to start leaking but it appears this was an issue with the first ones that rolled out. Owners of newer years don't seem to be having this issue. I will find out.

Dont give up on it. Maybe the stars will align, hopefully.

That is what I was feeling in my test ride, it can rip confidently. What I really liked was how balanced this bike felt doing really slow work. I don't bash through stuff offroad, and I need a balanced bike easy to crawl through rock gardens. This bike certainly feels like it can do it.

Great choice. The electronics, suspension and tubeless wheels make it a steal compared to other bikes.

The gas tank sits right over the engine, and its five gallons. Great range. Hopefully content will start in a few months. I need to work somethings out. Hopefully the way I build this bike for travel will be useful for you. Cheers.

Thanks. Glad to hear you are happy with the Tuareg. I look forward to giving it a try, well actually flogging it to death. Long distance travel with lots of offroad will be in store. Cheers.

Well said. As someone who has had to road side tube repairs, it's very over-rated. Give me the aids, make riding long distance easier so I can see more.

It is not the motorcycling industry that is slow at adopting new technologies. It's the Japanese motorcycling industry that is falling behind. 2024 and they are still selling 200+ Kg ADV bikes with tubed tyres, no cruise control and no safety aids. The big 4 japanese brands are no longer investing in R&D, they only seems to be interested in selling volumes. That is why they are disappearing from the racing scene

I am trying to get one pretty soon. I plan to do a lot of comparison videos, but not the normal ones you see. Actual back to back riding activities.

So everyone says. I should be picking mine up in two weeks. Can't wait.

@@advmatt Great - good news!

@@Jonathan-L I have been using EarPeace plugs. There is a variation of this plug at Cycle Gear I am now using. Can't remember the brand name.

That is not good. That is a lot of oil consumption. I will need to keep an eye on that. Thanks for letting me know.

@@advmatt Many Tuaregs don't have this problem so I guess I'm "lucky".

@@bretthawton I am glad you added this last note. I had someone else mention oil consumption, but I haven't not see a lot of complaints. Hopefully I get lucky too.

Great advice. I will look into it. I will need to research the remapping a bit more. It is not something I have done to bikes in the past. It seems like it might be worth it in the case. I will see if the service package is available. My local dealer doesn't have any 660s right now so I will likely have to go out of state. Cheers.

@@advmatt re: the upmap - I wouldn't look into that immediately unless you feel you need more power. I did mine mainly because the dealer (in SD)'s mapping tool was broken and they couldn't get the normal ECU update done (there was a fix for the hiccup). So, I did the upmap mainly due to that but also because I changed the pipe (even though updating the ECU for just a slip-on is debatable.) If you De-Cat the bike, the upmap is a definitely necessity.

Agreed, worth paying more for more. The tubeless wheels and the cruise control are huge factors for me with this bike. I didn't realize just how much I wanted it until I didn't have it for long days.

@@advmatt How is the headlight on the 660? The one on the V-Strom 800DE is absolutely terrible. I think I now prefer halogens over LEDS due to the better pattern/cutoffs. LEDS are just too sharp. Also, how does the 660 cope with side winds? I've read complaints about the T7 getting blown around the interstate at speed. The wind tends to leave the 800DE alone.

@@JayBee-cr8jm I don't know how the headlight will be on the 660. I really try to never ride at night. As for the T7, I find it handles wind pretty well for a high profile motorcycle. I just rode through some of the worst winds I have ever experienced and nearly got blown off the road a few times. That wasn't the bike, that was the weather. As for getting blown around on the interstate, this bike feels much much better than my 390 Adventure, so in comparison it is better. I don't think it feels like I get blown around that much more than I did on my R1200GS. I think it depends on what riders where riding before getting the T7 for comparison. Tall, upright bikes catch wind, but comparing them to similar bikes, its about the same.

I agree, but I might keep it a but longer for some head to head comparisons and as a backup. I have some ideas to do head to head rides.

Yeah, the looks don't appeal to everyone. I like how striking it is. I haven't seen one with a high fender yet. I imagine it adds some extra badassness. Cheers.

@@advmatt Get a Tuareg and add a high fender, TrailBlazer!

The Tuareg looks awesome with high fender 😍🥰

Glad to hear the resounding endorsement for this bike. I am working on getting one. Motopia didn't have any currently in stock the last time I checked so I will likely have to go out of state, but I can get it serviced locally if needed. I look forward to flogging it.

FWIW, i was at Motopia a week or two ago and they had 6-7 Tauregs in there - could hardly believe it. Cool shop for sure. This review almost makes me want to take one for a spin!@@advmatt

Thanks dude!

I am working on a deal now, and getting the quick shifter added. I hope to start 660 content in the next month or so. I am excited about what this bike offers. I ride year round too, in freezing temps so I really don't mind a little extra heat. I will opt for the Oxford grips, I have done a few installs so it shouldn't be too bad. Ride on!

@@advmatt Quickshifter isn´t really a necessity as you can shift up without clutch easily. At least on my bike. Shifting down isn´t really hard either. Just my 2ct ;)

@@Kai-ze2rb thanks for letting me know. I will keep that in mind.

Great to hear your experience has been so good. I am buying last year's model at a $1k discount. The T7 is a good bike, but it's not the best bike for everyone.

@@advmatt I wish I would have waited a little longer. Our local dealer had year end discounts down in the $9k range. If you do buy one. Get the Highway Dirtbike Handguards for the Tuareg. That is the beefiest handguard setup I have seen for any bike.. the bar ends on the Ape are tapped for M14 or M16

@@DonkeyDongDoug I expect to be picking mine up in two weeks. I need to lookninto those handguards. I really like the Acerbis X-factor handguards. Discounts are still available, just not as good as a month or so ago.

@@advmatt The HDB handguards are the best handguard I have seen for any motorcycle so far... it's especially true for the Tuareg. Give them a shot. They're made in Colorado IIRC

I appreciate your very enthusiastic opinion. It really depends on how you ride on which bike will be the right choice. I just spent several days riding 450+ miles on the T7 to get where I wanted to ride and get home. The destination included desert dirt road riding, sand, rocks the whole thing. The getting there and getting back on the T7 for me was miserable. The throttle return spring is heavy and holding the throttle open for 9-10 hours a day is exhausting, for me. As for reliability it really seems like Aprilia has a bit of KTM type reputation that is following it. If you scroll the comments you see many owners with lots of trouble free miles. Adam is a fantastic rider, I would never compare myself to him or think I can do any of the things he can do. I ride slow, careful and make sure I get to my destination in one piece. I want to see for myself just what the Tuareg can do. If its really bad I won't hold back, but for me, and just speaking for me, this bike suits my overall riding needs much better than the T7. Long distance travel to cool destinations. I want to get there in comfort and be rested for the real fun riding. Thanks for sharing your opinion. For now I will listen to riders that have this bike. Cheers.

@@advmatt Well, Matt....I admit I a misinterpreted your video. I confess I thought it was a comparison video...Which I see that it is not upon this review. Fair enough, you want to surround yourself with the praise of others who "actually"own this bike so you can believe the reliability isn't as bad, as it "actually" is. Because most owner won't admit the problems the "actually" have...some do. I had an out of warranty issue with my T7.....(a galled axle thread) even though it is considered to be the most reliable bike out there etc. So of course reliability doesn't mean 100% But here is the story for you.....I went down the road to my Yamaha dealer where I bought it...a small town in Canada, they ordered $300 of parts from Toronto in stock, less than a week later called me, fixed it no charge...off warranty. That is not an Aprillia story, that dealer, parts are part of the picture to be able to enjoy the bike. This was a non fixable issue, it needed parts, and if any delay from Apprilia, which is common I understand, that is your riding experience. I have had bikes that stop dead in their tracks because of parts issues, and I now always consider that factor in my purchases. Its real, and part of the definition of "reliability", as all bikes break down. The 660 oil leaks, I have heard of stiff transmissions, premature engine wear, electrical mysteries, I don't know..I would be running from the "oil" word at the start. To each their own. Your bike is a work of art, its absolutely great machine in many respects. I know the feeling you possess. You were honest about choosing the wrong bike, and its clear after listening to you that you jumped on the T7 without proper consideration. That is why I mentioned Reimann, because his knowledge of bikes, and manufacturers, is the point I try to make. The Yamaha by design is simpler, for good reason...reliability. The throttle spring you speak of, well there is no throttle spring on the 660 I am going to presume as its electronic fly by wire....You are getting into the desired bike through trial and error. You are not alone, many many riders have ditched their T7's for other bikes, having feeling like they have made a mistake, jumped on the bandwagon a little too soon. And if you have ever owned a Yamaha before, its exactly as Yamaha's have always been, highly reliable, and very well engineered. It demands a strong rider, with stamina, and skill, and dare I say experience...the T7 is no where near being a beginner bike. This is the Riemann reference again...he makes this point over and over...Yamaha gets it right traditionally, occasionally a dud comes through. Keep in mind...the DT Yamaha series was one of the first "ADV" bikes back in the 70's....this is a long standing development by no means new to the game of what we would call dual sport, we meaning.... veterans off road riders. Aprilia a world class manufacturer but.....oil leaks make me think of Harley's and that make me cringe....a little. Good luck listening to only people who have this bike, which I think was you while made this video. Seems odd to even say that...after appreciating my comment at the outset. Reminds me of the BMW groupie mentallity, horse blinders, and then I see that you used to ride BMW...it makes sense now.

Understood, but it has some features my T7 doesn't, making it much more comfortable for long distance touring with dirt road riding at the destinations. The T7 engine is fabulous.

Boring compared to what? It has good power to weigh ratio compared to 900cc bikes. Let’s hear your logic…..