1) LOTS of feedback on the expensive first service. I will cover this more in-depth later, when I can get some solid info. When I asked how much my first service would cost, I did phone some other Aprilia dealers close to me (in Germany), and they all said the same thing. I've also seen other Tuareg and Tuono 660 owners paying for this expensive first service in other countries too. People calling me an idiot should consider that I did show them the manual I'd downloaded (in English) and I was shown a piece of paper (admittedly in German, not my first language) explaining to inspect valves at 1000km (600 miles sic). Now, I suspect, in hindsight, that it might be a massive misunderstanding, or I was shown a service bullet-in that dealers around the world are using to screw some money out of customer. If the factory is worried about tight exhaust valves wrecking engines before the 20,000km service, then that's on them, not us the purchasers of said machine. None of this makes sense. I will dig into this and update you all. 2) The salt was an honest oversight. It was dry and sunny in the UK, when I got the bike out of the van, and rode it for less than 50kms in a semi-urban setting. I just forgot about the legendary potent, powdery, almost invisible, UK salt. (I've not lived there for nearly 20 years). But still, that exhaust weld rusting looks like a weld that didn't see enough argon, and the rust coming out of the silencer is a bad sign too. Salt didn't get fly down the exhaust while I was riding! 3) Sump guard/heat shield damage. It's clearly not a guard in any function, so I will look to the aftermarket. I still can't figure out where or how I broke it, or how it's supposed to fasten on. All in all, I love the Tuareg and will be using it as my tour-guide bike the whole season, or at least, I plan to!
1) I am not calling you an idiot (don’t know the others). And I am not saying that the first service cannot be expensive: I am saying that is not expensive BECAUSE of the valve inspection, as there is no such inspection foreseen. 2) I have already said what I mean about salt. 3) As I said (at the least in the comment that disappeared) you can clearly see a deformation, you clearly smashed the protection in something breaking the parts that fix the protection. Therefore my comment: there is no missing bolt, you damaged it smashi g it in something. Totally agree that you need something more protective in off, I have a Heed bashplate for the record
I hope my comment didn't come off like I was calling you an idiot because I wasn't. I didn't say anything about anything else though. Just the valve stuff.
Curtis at On The Back Wheel in Australia totally put the Tuareg through its paces last year. It's a very capable bike. Small niggles with a bike don't worry me. My Pan America, that was a different story, constantly leaving me stranded. The dealership couldn't fix it and they bought it back from me. I'm on a 22' KTM 890 Adventure S for an ADV bike these days and I keep my fingers crossed, it's been good except for some TFT niggles but they seem sorted now. You should be fine with the Tuareg 660.
Yes, love my Tuareg, '23 model. No real problems in almost 5000 miles, but I also don't run it fast and hard (though people that have say so and w/ very few complaints). I did notice the bolts on the transmission side needed tightening as I saw a top side bleed, just a mist, so I tightened them of course. Hey - what's this w/ a valve check at 600 miles (1K)? If you were told that then I think they lied. The first valve check is recommended at 10K km (6K mi). And yes, it seems like some in the YT community coming on lately w/ some more bold positive statements about how nice this bike is, and I'm glad for it. Reliability? Yeah, look at the other bikes, everyone's got niggles or worse (KTM, Norden, etc.) Tuareg won the Africa Eco Race, 13 stages, beat the 2nd place T7, w/ no breakdowns, T7 had 2. Anyway I ain't no racer or hot shot and love my Tuareg to distraction. Thanks, later, enjoyable video.
O sorry, about the valve check comment - I read your reply to another guy, and yes, I'm in the states, and nowhere is that check recommended, so I apologize for any insult to your dealer or you.
Just subscribed, loving your riding style and shows you have some great skills...which helps give credibility to your assessments...looking forward to more.
Brake magazine, put out a great video on the Tuareg 2 days ago, well worth a watch, after yours obviously 😅, the corrosion is basically your own fault for leaving it in the back of your van with salt on it.... don't know if you're aware, when you use acf50, your supposed to wipe it on and 10 minutes later wipe off the excess.... although if you want a tip from a motorcycle detailer, I use xcp pro (clear coat) on all my customers bikes and they always look good, some use their bikes all the year round here in Scotland... it's a great product and isn't gloppy or oily....top product 👍👍
@@Bannister99yes, if you're storing your bike over the winter and you have a damp shed, garage then yes put it on and leave as is, but in the spring you'll need to wash the excess off before use, this is acf50, with the xcp pro you don't know it's even on your bike....
I feel you regarding the corrosion. I took my BMW S1000RR all over Europe and Scotland in some nasty weather, at one point I was directly behind a road gritter on the motorway and after 6000 miles the bike was spotless. In comparison I’ve covered 1000 miles on my Husqvarna and you’ve never seen rust like it, the metal is embarrassingly cheap!
Great work and another fantastic video. I asked last time if you could show a couple of wheelies and you didn't dissapoint, even hoisting a geoscopic wheelie at one point I think! 🤣 It's good to see the other channels catching on and covering the Aprilia. Up until now, loads of the group tests have omitted this great bike. Mine had the rust runs from the exhaust but it just stopped. It now has 6000 miles and other than a fuel sender (easy warrenty repair and didn't stop me riding) it's been a brilliantly versatile and enjoyable bike. I'd recommend the Aprilia Quickshifter and AXP skid plate as decent upgrades. The shifter is one of the best I've used and the service from Xavier at AXP has been exceptional.
I definitely want the quick-shifter, but I will shop around as I can order the hardware for only €150 online, and my €360 first service dealer, wants €400, of course. LOL
@@btgmoto Wouldn't like to think how much they'd charge to 'fit' that! 😰You'll need access to the Aprilia software for the QS unless you go aftermarket. I think in America you can self service etc and still keep the warranty. I've serviced myself at 3000 just because I think it's worth it for the cost/benefit.
The day I collected my new bike, it was raining... I rode it home, washed it, dried it, and waited for the dry days.... I was, lucky. no damage. But for some reason it is very hard to get acf 50 here in the netherlands. So I have just been using silicon spray for now... the plastics look much better for it though.
Really enjoyed the images, I’m waiting for the snow and ice around here to melt to get my Tuareg on the road. There seems to be lots of old preconceptions about Italian build quality posted in the comments. I would rate the finish, engineering, and suspension on my T660 to be far superior to my Japanese VStrom 650. On the T660 owners FB page there are some posts about seepage around the water pump (input?), and I’ll keep an eye out for that. Thanks
I have 13.000km on my Tuareg and couldn't be happier. My 1st service definetely was without valve clearance. Just oil change and checkup on all other liquids, chain tension etc. Still payed 440 CHF (~Euros) but well.... that's just Swiss prices. Wouldn't be different with any other bike.
When I look at the new BMW GS, there are problems with short circuits and even engine replacement in the first series. A slightly leaking seal is a minor minor issue 😅
That’s because we salt the roads when it’s 8 degrees and generally wet. That combo of salt and the warmer/wetter conditions is why everything goes to shit. If we had a climate that actually justified salt it would be cold enough to inhibit the corrosion slightly.
Great 👍 review, that’s a shame about the rust and corrosion. In Australia we don’t worry much about a “ shiny new bike MOSTLY “ , it’s all about riding over here not how pretty it is or bling “ , BUT does seem not the best in metal quality. I currently have a 2021 Moto Guzzi V85tt obviously owned also by Peiggo Group , and still love after 16,000kms of on and light off road ADV riding . Have the Honda 300 Rally for the hard stuff 😂😂😂👍
Hi I bought mirrors very similar mirrors from aliexpress for tuareg 660 and they vibrate terribly even at low speeds. Someone can suggest what I am doing wrong when installing them or is it just the way they are?
Dale, if you are not to busy riding all over europe, could you please ride and compare the Vstrom 800 DE vs your Tuareg. I'm in between those bikes. Appreciated 😃
I ride primarily in SW US and Baja peninsula..1000k is 3-4 days of riding. I see very very few exotics, a rare Guzzi, Aprilia,MV, some Ducati, and fewer still Chinese.. Mexico makes some bikes, majority 125,250 and few 300cc usually singles and all are from Chinese and Korean knock offs, and now Italika and Bahja( Indian) brand are showing some sales.. but for S.Cal,AZ, Texas,ect and Mexico you need reliable and easy access..BMW and KTM are a little harder but can't imagine having an issue on adventure and trying to locate a dealer for Italian stuff.. I would buy an Italian bike way before Chinese from what I have seen, and lots of my arguments go out the window, w Ducati Desert X having a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty, so that puts lots of worry away
Yeah, some of the European brands just don't have the history/relationships that go into making a strong dealer network. For that, companies like Honda and Yamaha are REALLY strong in the US. Aprilia has a strong network over here, in numbers alone, tho quality varies a LOT when compared to BMW and KTM
Reliability is definitely an issue. Mine has 6000kms and i’ve had 3 oil leaks issues so far. 2 at the oil sump and 1 at the water pump. They replaced the oil sump gasket with the “new” version, but it’s leaking again after 1000kms. Honestly, in my opinion, its not something you can trust for longer trips
Typical Aprilla so near but still so far away to making a great bike. Way too many problems for me. Wish they would get it right but oil leaks , rusting and discolouration if not for me.
Nice Video. But you said that aprilia was expensive first service. Due to valve check? I can not find any Info on that. Or any bulletin regarding needing a valve check at 1000km. Have done 6000km in 5month on my Tuareg . Also sprayed my bike with acf 50 before I parked it. Can't wait to ride again.
It's in the 2023 manual that I saw at my dealer and a few others on the forum have seen it too, initial inspection of exhaust valves is 'highly recommended'.
@@btgmoto I have a 2023 and don't see it mentioned. Do you know the page or section so I can make sure it's not something I need to do for my own peace of mind?
just looked in my 2023 manual and the bulletins, no mention about that for europe version, there is no change in service schedule , but there is a bulletins regarding touno and rs 660. A_210586_RC_EN this is the bulletin code. @@btgmoto
Seems like a genuine italian bike: kind of bad build quality and lower reliability, but also very fun to ride. They've always been like this. edit: also looks good. That's pretty much what italian automotive industry is all around, cars and motorcycles alike: good looking, characterful and fun machines, but not robust or too reliable.
@@alexstan5358 I had to use google translate to understand you, but yes. 100k km is not that much for that class bikes, even if Rotax engines were great. BMW's rotax engines lasted much longer than that. Honda's varadero engine last well over 700k km with only regular maintenance. The thing is reliability doesn't come down to engine only. Gearbox, pumps, chassis, wheels, all of them matter in term of reliability and longevity. You can find a 30+ years old africa twin with many miles and in great condition. This touareg has a corroded engine case in 2 months. Please note that I didn't say they are not fun and enjoyable to ride, on the contrary. People KNOW RSV's are unreliable, for example, but they buy it because they're great to ride. They're fun and fast and easy to maneuver. Italians don't really care for reliability. They care for looks and experience. Italian bikes are like a summer love: beautiful, intense, something you'll remember for a long time, but ultimately short lived. Understand what you will from this, but getting angry from something so omnipresent in italian automotive industry is not solving anything. They have a different philosophy when it comes to bikes and cars. It's not a bad thing, it's just different. Reliability and longevity is not high on their list, but looks and performance is.
@@btgmoto I think it's fine. It's like how KTM are unreliable, but crazy powerful and fun. The things that make it crazy powerful and fun are the things that make it unreliable, such as high compression ratio, light materials, etc. On the other hand, a varadero is crazy reliable and rock solid, but extremely heavy and a bit unwieldy. You can't have them all :)
Nonsense. I’ve owned and ridden many Italian bikes and never had any real issues over decades. My Tuareg has >18k kms trouble free. Is it dirty? Sure. Who cares..
First service only 300 Euros with a valve check! I asked 3 dealers for a quote on 12,000 mile service, they all said £900.. so you were ripped off at a bargain price 🤣 I absolutely loved test riding one last summer, Goldilocks bike for me - but parts supply seems patchy and reliability issues as you mentioned. Other manufacturers are no different, how long have Yamaha riders been complaining about the exhaust hanger bracket bending then breaking, no change on the 2024 models 🤨
It's a recall. On my Tuono 660 it was like that. Paid by Aprilia. After 20.000km's I had to pay for the valve check myself. And believe me that was a lot more than 350€. 3 valves were off..
Just took a peak at the Tuareg 660 service intervals and I see nothing about a valve check at 1000km? First adjustment is listed at 20k, no "inspections only" listed per what I looked at. This dealer just being extra careful? Edit: reading other comments I see this has been beat to death. Carry on! thanks for the content.
You got scammed by your dealer. First valve check is at 20k. I have the 24 Tuareg manual in my hands. Glad you coated everything after those salty rides.
So weird to me that people think 80hp isn't enough and that something like a 1200 GS is needed for any application. How captured by the marketing and magazine pundentry do you have be?
It really depends on where and who you ride with. I wouldn't want the Triumph if today's job was to ride 1000kms across Germany with a group of BMW riders on 1250s, for example. But solo riding on slow bikes is awesome
There's no valve check on the first service bud. You got had on that one. I have the service manual and owners manual schedule. Valves aren't touched until 20,000 km. First service is basically an oil change, chain adjustment, service light reset, ECU updates if there is any and an inspection of the bike overall. Read the maintenance schedule for yourself and you'll see. I read your comment you said to someone else about seeing it in the manual for the 2023 BUT i made sure to download the later version straight from AF1 Racing and they list it for 2022-2024 and theres no "A" or "I" in the section under 1000km next to Valve Clearance. If they told you that it needed it they lied to you. I had a dealer tried telling me that same thing. I told them it's not in the manual. They tried to assure me that it needed the valve check. I said show me in the manual. He couldn't show me in the manual. I said what about the Tuono or the RS660? Still couldn't show me. I said to him that's because that's not for the 660 engine. Maybe for the V4 engines. But not the 660.
I'm going to dig in to this, because I saw an official looking update in German. I might need somebody inside Piaggio, because all three local dealers to me say all 660s need valve checks. One even said it was specifically the exhaust valve clearance that was the problem. If the factory knows they've got some badly set valves out of the factory, it does seem rough to pass it on to the first customer
@@btgmoto it's funny because people mentioned when they get their valves checked most of the time they're still within spec. Call Aprilia customer care. Customer care is usually pretty good. The one time I brought my motorcycle to a dealer what's to get the quick shifter activated and the ECU updated. They told me they didn't hear about any updates for the ECU. I said that's fine I want you to check anyway. Lo and behold mine was the first Tuareg they saw that had an update. I told them about the earlier fueling issues that it was having. They had no clue either. See I had to tell the dealership what I wanted them to do. I didn't let them do things for me. Dealerships want your money and if they can get away with telling you something that's wrong in order to get more money out of you, they're going to do it. Trust me I used to work for one. I would always hear the service managers talking about shit they tell customers.
It's a great road bike, for sure. It's pretty awesome off-road, but only on easy trails and dirt roads. Anything more enduro, and I don't have the strength or the skill to make it work. See my video about WIki-loc for some harder trails with this bike.
My previous tour guide bike was just sold with 90,000kms (2019 R1250GS) and I'm expecting the Tuareg to do similar distances. Other tests on my channel are where I borrow a bike for a few hours. This bike I have bought with my own money and am testing it 'long term'.
@@btgmoto Thanks for taking the time and effort to let us know how this bike does over the long-term. These tests are valuable, unlike when bikes are borrowed from the dealer, as the tester is then beholden.
Honest experience? My friend, I had to stop watching after 5 minutes... Is it that difficult to provide correct info? 1) The first service is expensive because valve inspection? Are you kidding or what? 😂 There is no valve inspection at the first service, neither at the 10000km service... The first inspection is foreseen at the 20k service... Read the manual, maybe the dealer just played you? 2) There is no missing bolt for the engine protection, you have a bolt on the front and a sort of slide at the back, and that one is broken, non missing, you can clearly see that the engine guard is deformed, you smashed it in something... 3) Ride in salty water and then leave the bike in the van for few days? And then you get corrosion? What a surprise... 😂
1) That means all 3 dealers close to me are lying to their customers, along with many other dealers around the world. I did question it, because I thought it was unusual. I was shown a notice to check exhaust valves on all 660s. Clearly dealers are using this as an excuse to over charge customers world wide. I didn't say the 10,000km was a valve inspection, that's at 20,000km.
@oyes, they lied to you, and you are helping spreading wrong info. Just read the User Manual (did you?), there you will find the Scheduled Maintenance Table, no valve inspection at the first service. I don't what did they show you, but for sure this is the first time I read/heard about this, so God know what you mean when you talk about "many other dealer around the world". Maybe you have read about this somewhere else and can provide a link to that? Maybe 3 dealers close to you lied to you but that's not a good reason to spread wrong info in your video.
I can see that my previous comment disappeared. Yes, they lied to you. Check the manual. No valve inspection at the 1000 service. And this is the first time I hear about this. Can you show us what they showed to you? And can you tell us what you mean with "other dealers around the world"? As far as I know this is the first time I hear about this, maybe you have read about this inspection somewhere else and can post a link to that?
I took the English user manual PDF in to the dealer on my phone, I have read it cover to cover. Just google expensive first service tuareg and there are a few. Like I said in the pinned comment, I'm gonna dig into this!
Side 190 on my user manual, downloaded in May 2022. I googled what you suggested, got only results for the VW Tuareg. And anyway I am not saying that it’s the first time I see a post on expensive first service, I meant expensive BECAUSE of the valve check you gave as reason. P.S. I would have digged BEFORE making an informative video
Because they look pretty good and the specification is spot on. If only one of the Jap companies built it. The RSV4 is a fine example of this. They're not as popular as one might expect because eventually word gets around that Aprilia provide lousy service.
There´s NO valve inspection that goes for the 1st service. You´ve been ripped off. Only general inspection, oil change and filter. That´s it. I live in Norway (which has the most expensive prices in all of Europe except for maybe Switzerland) and I was set back bout £250 give or take.
Yep, sucks. As per my post, possibly I was mis-led, possibly I mis-understood the German techno-babble. Either way, sucks to service your Aprilia here in Germany where every dealer charges more than a BMW dealer for even simple shi*
1) LOTS of feedback on the expensive first service. I will cover this more in-depth later, when I can get some solid info. When I asked how much my first service would cost, I did phone some other Aprilia dealers close to me (in Germany), and they all said the same thing. I've also seen other Tuareg and Tuono 660 owners paying for this expensive first service in other countries too.
People calling me an idiot should consider that I did show them the manual I'd downloaded (in English) and I was shown a piece of paper (admittedly in German, not my first language) explaining to inspect valves at 1000km (600 miles sic).
Now, I suspect, in hindsight, that it might be a massive misunderstanding, or I was shown a service bullet-in that dealers around the world are using to screw some money out of customer. If the factory is worried about tight exhaust valves wrecking engines before the 20,000km service, then that's on them, not us the purchasers of said machine. None of this makes sense. I will dig into this and update you all.
2) The salt was an honest oversight. It was dry and sunny in the UK, when I got the bike out of the van, and rode it for less than 50kms in a semi-urban setting. I just forgot about the legendary potent, powdery, almost invisible, UK salt. (I've not lived there for nearly 20 years). But still, that exhaust weld rusting looks like a weld that didn't see enough argon, and the rust coming out of the silencer is a bad sign too. Salt didn't get fly down the exhaust while I was riding!
3) Sump guard/heat shield damage. It's clearly not a guard in any function, so I will look to the aftermarket. I still can't figure out where or how I broke it, or how it's supposed to fasten on.
All in all, I love the Tuareg and will be using it as my tour-guide bike the whole season, or at least, I plan to!
1) I am not calling you an idiot (don’t know the others). And I am not saying that the first service cannot be expensive: I am saying that is not expensive BECAUSE of the valve inspection, as there is no such inspection foreseen.
2) I have already said what I mean about salt.
3) As I said (at the least in the comment that disappeared) you can clearly see a deformation, you clearly smashed the protection in something breaking the parts that fix the protection. Therefore my comment: there is no missing bolt, you damaged it smashi g it in something. Totally agree that you need something more protective in off, I have a Heed bashplate for the record
I hope my comment didn't come off like I was calling you an idiot because I wasn't. I didn't say anything about anything else though. Just the valve stuff.
I have the oroginal italian service manual
Oops only half the comment in there. I have the original Italian workshop manual. Valve check is at km 20000
Will check the Heed one. I had Heed on my 800 GS and was very happy.
Great work ! The Tuareg does bring joy and excitement to your riding pleasure.
Curtis at On The Back Wheel in Australia totally put the Tuareg through its paces last year. It's a very capable bike.
Small niggles with a bike don't worry me. My Pan America, that was a different story, constantly leaving me stranded. The dealership couldn't fix it and they bought it back from me.
I'm on a 22' KTM 890 Adventure S for an ADV bike these days and I keep my fingers crossed, it's been good except for some TFT niggles but they seem sorted now.
You should be fine with the Tuareg 660.
Yes, love my Tuareg, '23 model. No real problems in almost 5000 miles, but I also don't run it fast and hard (though people that have say so and w/ very few complaints). I did notice the bolts on the transmission side needed tightening as I saw a top side bleed, just a mist, so I tightened them of course. Hey - what's this w/ a valve check at 600 miles (1K)? If you were told that then I think they lied. The first valve check is recommended at 10K km (6K mi). And yes, it seems like some in the YT community coming on lately w/ some more bold positive statements about how nice this bike is, and I'm glad for it. Reliability? Yeah, look at the other bikes, everyone's got niggles or worse (KTM, Norden, etc.) Tuareg won the Africa Eco Race, 13 stages, beat the 2nd place T7, w/ no breakdowns, T7 had 2. Anyway I ain't no racer or hot shot and love my Tuareg to distraction. Thanks, later, enjoyable video.
O sorry, about the valve check comment - I read your reply to another guy, and yes, I'm in the states, and nowhere is that check recommended, so I apologize for any insult to your dealer or you.
Nope. First valve inspection at 20000km
Just subscribed, loving your riding style and shows you have some great skills...which helps give credibility to your assessments...looking forward to more.
Brake magazine, put out a great video on the Tuareg 2 days ago, well worth a watch, after yours obviously 😅, the corrosion is basically your own fault for leaving it in the back of your van with salt on it.... don't know if you're aware, when you use acf50, your supposed to wipe it on and 10 minutes later wipe off the excess.... although if you want a tip from a motorcycle detailer, I use xcp pro (clear coat) on all my customers bikes and they always look good, some use their bikes all the year round here in Scotland... it's a great product and isn't gloppy or oily....top product 👍👍
I saw it and left a comment, really cool video! In my defence, I didn't mentally connect sunny dry roads with UK salt, I should have known...
Do you wipe XCP off like ACF50?
@@Bannister99yes, if you're storing your bike over the winter and you have a damp shed, garage then yes put it on and leave as is, but in the spring you'll need to wash the excess off before use, this is acf50, with the xcp pro you don't know it's even on your bike....
The gyroscopic effect of the spinning front wheel is known as angular momentum. Very good review.
Look, soon we'll all be saying Geoscopic. It'll be in the dictionary soon. ;)
@@btgmoto You convinced me.
Thanks, for moving me ever closer to picking the Tuareg as my next bike.... :D
Any time! I have zero regrets so far
I feel you regarding the corrosion. I took my BMW S1000RR all over Europe and Scotland in some nasty weather, at one point I was directly behind a road gritter on the motorway and after 6000 miles the bike was spotless.
In comparison I’ve covered 1000 miles on my Husqvarna and you’ve never seen rust like it, the metal is embarrassingly cheap!
Thanks for the support! :D
Great work and another fantastic video. I asked last time if you could show a couple of wheelies and you didn't dissapoint, even hoisting a geoscopic wheelie at one point I think! 🤣
It's good to see the other channels catching on and covering the Aprilia. Up until now, loads of the group tests have omitted this great bike. Mine had the rust runs from the exhaust but it just stopped. It now has 6000 miles and other than a fuel sender (easy warrenty repair and didn't stop me riding) it's been a brilliantly versatile and enjoyable bike. I'd recommend the Aprilia Quickshifter and AXP skid plate as decent upgrades. The shifter is one of the best I've used and the service from Xavier at AXP has been exceptional.
I definitely want the quick-shifter, but I will shop around as I can order the hardware for only €150 online, and my €360 first service dealer, wants €400, of course. LOL
@@btgmoto Wouldn't like to think how much they'd charge to 'fit' that! 😰You'll need access to the Aprilia software for the QS unless you go aftermarket. I think in America you can self service etc and still keep the warranty. I've serviced myself at 3000 just because I think it's worth it for the cost/benefit.
Good review. Own one too and it is an amazing bike!
I would absolutely love to see Ariemen on the channel being taken round the ring on a bike!! Good for views too :)
No valve check on first service. My first service was smth like 150eur if i remember correctly. Valve check on 20 thousand km.
The day I collected my new bike, it was raining... I rode it home, washed it, dried it, and waited for the dry days.... I was, lucky. no damage. But for some reason it is very hard to get acf 50 here in the netherlands. So I have just been using silicon spray for now... the plastics look much better for it though.
Really enjoyed the images, I’m waiting for the snow and ice around here to melt to get my Tuareg on the road. There seems to be lots of old preconceptions about Italian build quality posted in the comments. I would rate the finish, engineering, and suspension on my T660 to be far superior to my Japanese VStrom 650. On the T660 owners FB page there are some posts about seepage around the water pump (input?), and I’ll keep an eye out for that. Thanks
Thanks! I also believe the Tuareg to be right at the pointy sharp end of the market right now. It's the one to beat, in my opinion.
Try the comfort seat of Aprilia ! It’s very very good . I recommend to you
Thanks for the tip!
I have 13.000km on my Tuareg and couldn't be happier.
My 1st service definetely was without valve clearance. Just oil change and checkup on all other liquids, chain tension etc.
Still payed 440 CHF (~Euros) but well.... that's just Swiss prices. Wouldn't be different with any other bike.
At last somebody who paid more than me! Even if it's in Switzerland
When I look at the new BMW GS, there are problems with short circuits and even engine replacement in the first series. A slightly leaking seal is a minor minor issue 😅
Yeah, the 1300 was on my radar, but I figured I didn't want to be a beta tester for a new bike.
Great Video as always 👏
Thanks again!
Can you already feel the reduction in depreciation, after Llel's glowing review? 😂
Here's hoping... lol
I want the Tuareg 660 or V- STROM 800 DE , I just am very unsure of the Tuareg 660 reliability ?? I live far out in country
Interesting - I used to work for Piaggio and warranty for corrosion issues were notably high in the UK - that salt is a killer!
Salt will rust and corrode ANY bike.
I know what he means though. UK cars and motorbikes do seem to suffer more than many other countries who use salt!
That’s because we salt the roads when it’s 8 degrees and generally wet. That combo of salt and the warmer/wetter conditions is why everything goes to shit.
If we had a climate that actually justified salt it would be cold enough to inhibit the corrosion slightly.
Great 👍 review, that’s a shame about the rust and corrosion. In Australia we don’t worry much about a “ shiny new bike MOSTLY “ , it’s all about riding over here not how pretty it is or bling “ , BUT does seem not the best in metal quality. I currently have a 2021 Moto Guzzi V85tt obviously owned also by Peiggo Group , and still love after 16,000kms of on and light off road ADV riding . Have the Honda 300 Rally for the hard stuff 😂😂😂👍
Hi
I bought mirrors very similar mirrors from aliexpress for tuareg 660 and they vibrate terribly even at low speeds. Someone can suggest what I am doing wrong when installing them or is it just the way they are?
Hey, thanks for the sub. They're a bit vibey, for sure. But not enough to annoy me. Nothing you can do, except add weight to the barends.
Is this better then tenere 700
Dale, if you are not to busy riding all over europe, could you please ride and compare the Vstrom 800 DE vs your Tuareg. I'm in between those bikes. Appreciated 😃
That's a great request! I'll see what my Suzuki dealer says
all I want to know is will it throttle my frien's Honda NT750 DCT? Thanks mate
Thanks for the sub! Yeah, the Tuareg is way more lively than the NT.
I ride primarily in SW US and Baja peninsula..1000k is 3-4 days of riding. I see very very few exotics, a rare Guzzi, Aprilia,MV, some Ducati, and fewer still Chinese..
Mexico makes some bikes, majority 125,250 and few 300cc usually singles and all are from Chinese and Korean knock offs, and now Italika and Bahja( Indian) brand are showing some sales.. but for S.Cal,AZ, Texas,ect and Mexico you need reliable and easy access..BMW and KTM are a little harder but can't imagine having an issue on adventure and trying to locate a dealer for Italian stuff..
I would buy an Italian bike way before Chinese from what I have seen, and lots of my arguments go out the window, w Ducati Desert X having a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty, so that puts lots of worry away
Yeah, some of the European brands just don't have the history/relationships that go into making a strong dealer network. For that, companies like Honda and Yamaha are REALLY strong in the US. Aprilia has a strong network over here, in numbers alone, tho quality varies a LOT when compared to BMW and KTM
Great vid fella. +1 sub 👍
Thanks very much!
I się nice little bags on the rear rack. Would you mind sharing a name or link?
BAG-TECS... they're actually from my GS and are sold on eBay and Amazon as GS grab handle bags
@@btgmoto Thank you
I own one too, and I find the Tuareg 660 jerky when driving constant speeds or decelerating, are you observing the same thing?
Nope. Maybe check if you have the latest software?
Reliability is definitely an issue. Mine has 6000kms and i’ve had 3 oil leaks issues so far. 2 at the oil sump and 1 at the water pump.
They replaced the oil sump gasket with the “new” version, but it’s leaking again after 1000kms.
Honestly, in my opinion, its not something you can trust for longer trips
Mine is leaking again from the water pump too... nothing stopping me riding, but also, I'm not happy. Will do a new video soon
Typical Aprilla so near but still so far away to making a great bike. Way too many problems for me. Wish they would get it right but oil leaks , rusting and discolouration if not for me.
Interesting moving to this from a GS.
Will check your previous posts
Do you plan less travel
Less travel on motorways and autobahns, but more travel overall.
Nice Video. But you said that aprilia was expensive first service. Due to valve check? I can not find any Info on that. Or any bulletin regarding needing a valve check at 1000km. Have done 6000km in 5month on my Tuareg . Also sprayed my bike with acf 50 before I parked it. Can't wait to ride again.
It's in the 2023 manual that I saw at my dealer and a few others on the forum have seen it too, initial inspection of exhaust valves is 'highly recommended'.
They missed that note hear in the US. It was a simple TFT red light reset and back on the road. The bike is a great fit for me. Good review
@@btgmoto
I have a 2023 and don't see it mentioned. Do you know the page or section so I can make sure it's not something I need to do for my own peace of mind?
just looked in my 2023 manual and the bulletins, no mention about that for europe version, there is no change in service schedule , but there is a bulletins regarding touno and rs 660. A_210586_RC_EN this is the bulletin code. @@btgmoto
Why is there confusion about this - isn't it clearly stated in the manual?
Seems like a genuine italian bike: kind of bad build quality and lower reliability, but also very fun to ride. They've always been like this.
edit: also looks good. That's pretty much what italian automotive industry is all around, cars and motorcycles alike: good looking, characterful and fun machines, but not robust or too reliable.
Daj ne seri matere ti! Rotax 1000ccm je bio los i nepouzdan? Isli preko 100.000km u RSV Mille i Tuono
@@alexstan5358
I had to use google translate to understand you, but yes. 100k km is not that much for that class bikes, even if Rotax engines were great. BMW's rotax engines lasted much longer than that. Honda's varadero engine last well over 700k km with only regular maintenance.
The thing is reliability doesn't come down to engine only. Gearbox, pumps, chassis, wheels, all of them matter in term of reliability and longevity.
You can find a 30+ years old africa twin with many miles and in great condition. This touareg has a corroded engine case in 2 months.
Please note that I didn't say they are not fun and enjoyable to ride, on the contrary. People KNOW RSV's are unreliable, for example, but they buy it because they're great to ride. They're fun and fast and easy to maneuver.
Italians don't really care for reliability. They care for looks and experience. Italian bikes are like a summer love: beautiful, intense, something you'll remember for a long time, but ultimately short lived.
Understand what you will from this, but getting angry from something so omnipresent in italian automotive industry is not solving anything. They have a different philosophy when it comes to bikes and cars. It's not a bad thing, it's just different. Reliability and longevity is not high on their list, but looks and performance is.
Kinda wish it wasn't true, as it's a trope by now...but... lol
@@btgmoto
I think it's fine.
It's like how KTM are unreliable, but crazy powerful and fun. The things that make it crazy powerful and fun are the things that make it unreliable, such as high compression ratio, light materials, etc. On the other hand, a varadero is crazy reliable and rock solid, but extremely heavy and a bit unwieldy. You can't have them all :)
Nonsense. I’ve owned and ridden many Italian bikes and never had any real issues over decades. My Tuareg has >18k kms trouble free.
Is it dirty? Sure. Who cares..
First service only 300 Euros with a valve check! I asked 3 dealers for a quote on 12,000 mile service, they all said £900.. so you were ripped off at a bargain price 🤣
I absolutely loved test riding one last summer, Goldilocks bike for me - but parts supply seems patchy and reliability issues as you mentioned.
Other manufacturers are no different, how long have Yamaha riders been complaining about the exhaust hanger bracket bending then breaking, no change on the 2024 models 🤨
Oh, don't get me wrong, I still love the bike. And the perfect bike doesn't exist anyway
@@btgmoto I absolutely get that and I'd love it too plus the 660 comes pretty darn close to that unicorn bike in my books.
Valve clearance on first inspection?!?!? First time I hear such nonsense, change your dealer...
It would appear that all my dealers in Germany are singing from the same hymn sheet. I will try and find out WTF is happening.
It's a recall. On my Tuono 660 it was like that. Paid by Aprilia. After 20.000km's I had to pay for the valve check myself. And believe me that was a lot more than 350€. 3 valves were off..
Royal Enfield 350 valve clearance at 300 miles
Just took a peak at the Tuareg 660 service intervals and I see nothing about a valve check at 1000km? First adjustment is listed at 20k, no "inspections only" listed per what I looked at.
This dealer just being extra careful?
Edit: reading other comments I see this has been beat to death. Carry on! thanks for the content.
Dead horse, totally flogged. I've kept the video up, but added a warning label linked to the post
You got scammed by your dealer. First valve check is at 20k. I have the 24 Tuareg
manual in my hands. Glad you coated everything after those salty rides.
If only I'd coated them before... D'oh
So weird to me that people think 80hp isn't enough and that something like a 1200 GS is needed for any application. How captured by the marketing and magazine pundentry do you have be?
It really depends on where and who you ride with. I wouldn't want the Triumph if today's job was to ride 1000kms across Germany with a group of BMW riders on 1250s, for example. But solo riding on slow bikes is awesome
@@btgmoto Not clear on how anyone could call the Tuareg 660 slow though.
@@btgmotoCurious, why wouldn’t you want a Triumph if you were riding around Germany with a bunch of GS guys?
Didn't like the big Tiger, way too heavy. Didn't like the little tiger, as it was very top-heavy and very expensive.@@ChrisSauer-oe5ve
There's no valve check on the first service bud. You got had on that one. I have the service manual and owners manual schedule. Valves aren't touched until 20,000 km.
First service is basically an oil change, chain adjustment, service light reset, ECU updates if there is any and an inspection of the bike overall. Read the maintenance schedule for yourself and you'll see.
I read your comment you said to someone else about seeing it in the manual for the 2023 BUT i made sure to download the later version straight from AF1 Racing and they list it for 2022-2024 and theres no "A" or "I" in the section under 1000km next to Valve Clearance. If they told you that it needed it they lied to you. I had a dealer tried telling me that same thing. I told them it's not in the manual. They tried to assure me that it needed the valve check. I said show me in the manual. He couldn't show me in the manual. I said what about the Tuono or the RS660? Still couldn't show me. I said to him that's because that's not for the 660 engine. Maybe for the V4 engines. But not the 660.
I'm going to dig in to this, because I saw an official looking update in German. I might need somebody inside Piaggio, because all three local dealers to me say all 660s need valve checks. One even said it was specifically the exhaust valve clearance that was the problem. If the factory knows they've got some badly set valves out of the factory, it does seem rough to pass it on to the first customer
@@btgmoto it's funny because people mentioned when they get their valves checked most of the time they're still within spec. Call Aprilia customer care. Customer care is usually pretty good. The one time I brought my motorcycle to a dealer what's to get the quick shifter activated and the ECU updated. They told me they didn't hear about any updates for the ECU. I said that's fine I want you to check anyway. Lo and behold mine was the first Tuareg they saw that had an update. I told them about the earlier fueling issues that it was having. They had no clue either. See I had to tell the dealership what I wanted them to do. I didn't let them do things for me. Dealerships want your money and if they can get away with telling you something that's wrong in order to get more money out of you, they're going to do it. Trust me I used to work for one. I would always hear the service managers talking about shit they tell customers.
So, it's a road bike then?
It's a great road bike, for sure. It's pretty awesome off-road, but only on easy trails and dirt roads. Anything more enduro, and I don't have the strength or the skill to make it work. See my video about WIki-loc for some harder trails with this bike.
👍👍👍👍
"Long Term"
Yes, long term starts at 50,000 km.
My previous tour guide bike was just sold with 90,000kms (2019 R1250GS) and I'm expecting the Tuareg to do similar distances. Other tests on my channel are where I borrow a bike for a few hours. This bike I have bought with my own money and am testing it 'long term'.
@@btgmoto Thanks for taking the time and effort to let us know how this bike does over the long-term. These tests are valuable, unlike when bikes are borrowed from the dealer, as the tester is then beholden.
Holy chicken, I ride all Year round, got Honda cbf600 from 2008 with 90.000 on the clock and less rust :-)
The dealership screwed you. This isn't a bike problem it's a human problem
Yep. Gutted.
You run it in salt water and then toss it into a van for days? What did you expect?
Breaking news.... Man rides bike on salted roads then leaves it in a van for a couple of days and wonders why there's corrosion.
Honest experience? My friend, I had to stop watching after 5 minutes...
Is it that difficult to provide correct info?
1) The first service is expensive because valve inspection? Are you kidding or what? 😂 There is no valve inspection at the first service, neither at the 10000km service... The first inspection is foreseen at the 20k service... Read the manual, maybe the dealer just played you?
2) There is no missing bolt for the engine protection, you have a bolt on the front and a sort of slide at the back, and that one is broken, non missing, you can clearly see that the engine guard is deformed, you smashed it in something...
3) Ride in salty water and then leave the bike in the van for few days? And then you get corrosion? What a surprise... 😂
1) That means all 3 dealers close to me are lying to their customers, along with many other dealers around the world. I did question it, because I thought it was unusual. I was shown a notice to check exhaust valves on all 660s. Clearly dealers are using this as an excuse to over charge customers world wide. I didn't say the 10,000km was a valve inspection, that's at 20,000km.
@oyes, they lied to you, and you are helping spreading wrong info. Just read the User Manual (did you?), there you will find the Scheduled Maintenance Table, no valve inspection at the first service. I don't what did they show you, but for sure this is the first time I read/heard about this, so God know what you mean when you talk about "many other dealer around the world". Maybe you have read about this somewhere else and can provide a link to that?
Maybe 3 dealers close to you lied to you but that's not a good reason to spread wrong info in your video.
I can see that my previous comment disappeared.
Yes, they lied to you. Check the manual. No valve inspection at the 1000 service. And this is the first time I hear about this. Can you show us what they showed to you? And can you tell us what you mean with "other dealers around the world"? As far as I know this is the first time I hear about this, maybe you have read about this inspection somewhere else and can post a link to that?
I took the English user manual PDF in to the dealer on my phone, I have read it cover to cover. Just google expensive first service tuareg and there are a few. Like I said in the pinned comment, I'm gonna dig into this!
Side 190 on my user manual, downloaded in May 2022.
I googled what you suggested, got only results for the VW Tuareg. And anyway I am not saying that it’s the first time I see a post on expensive first service, I meant expensive BECAUSE of the valve check you gave as reason.
P.S. I would have digged BEFORE making an informative video
Wonderful Aprilia build quality as usual. Why does anyone buy them?
Because they look pretty good and the specification is spot on. If only one of the Jap companies built it. The RSV4 is a fine example of this. They're not as popular as one might expect because eventually word gets around that Aprilia provide lousy service.
Because is a excellent bike
Because it rides awesome, the spec is mega, the price is right, and I have three dealers closer to me than my nearest BMW dealer.
ride one and you will know why. your just another ignorant keyboard jockey.
Thats poor quality for a bike just over 600 miles. Bet it wasnt cheap either. Aprillia would be getting that back if it was mine.
That is the problem with Chinese bikes. The general quality of the metals used.
Literally built in Italy, in Noale
How is 1000 kms a "long term"? 😂 Mate, even the cheapest Chinese bikes will go 1000 kms with no issues. Come back at 10k or 20k :)
If it's anything like my last tour bike, you'll see updates upto 100k or so... or at least, that's the plan...
Find me one bike who likes salt ?
Exactly 😂 salt eats the best of them 🥺
No bike loves salt, but my F800GS and R1250GS both resisted it far better, and my Hondas. Even my old 90s Triumph!
There´s NO valve inspection that goes for the 1st service. You´ve been ripped off. Only general inspection, oil change and filter. That´s it. I live in Norway (which has the most expensive prices in all of Europe except for maybe Switzerland) and I was set back bout £250 give or take.
Yep, sucks. As per my post, possibly I was mis-led, possibly I mis-understood the German techno-babble. Either way, sucks to service your Aprilia here in Germany where every dealer charges more than a BMW dealer for even simple shi*
You just don’t know what you are talking about 👎 Running thru salt..? What are you expecting..Einstein.?
At the time, I didn't know it was salty, that's why I said I was surprised
Made in China?
Stop this bullshit. Made in Noale, Italy.
Made in Noale, Italy! 🍝🇮🇹
um... I'm not sure of any universe where 1000kms is considered Long-Term? Like come on🫤