Aprilia RS 660 2020 vs. Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Aprilia RS 660 2020

Aprilia RS 660 2020

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

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Overview - Aprilia RS 660 2020 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

The Aprilia RS 660 2020 and the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 are both supersport motorcycles, but they have distinct differences in their technical specifications and features.

Starting with the engine and drive train, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 is equipped with an in-line crankpin offset engine type, producing 100 HP with 4 cylinders and DOHC valves. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 features an in-line engine type, generating 68.2 HP with 2 cylinders and DOHC valves. In terms of displacement, the Aprilia has a larger engine at 660 ccm compared to the Kawasaki's 649 ccm.

Moving on to the suspension, both motorcycles have a swing arm rear suspension and a monoshock absorber. However, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 has an upside-down telescopic fork front suspension, while the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 has a telescopic fork front suspension.

In terms of chassis, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 has an aluminum frame that is load-bearing, providing strength and stability. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 has a steel frame that is tubular in design.

Aprilia RS 660 2020

Aprilia RS 660 2020

When it comes to brakes, both motorcycles have double disk front brakes. However, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 has larger diameter disks at 320 mm and utilizes radial, monoblock technology. The Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023, on the other hand, has slightly smaller diameter disks at 300 mm and uses petal technology.

In terms of advanced rider assistance systems, both motorcycles are equipped with ABS and traction control. However, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 offers additional features such as riding modes, launch control, ride by wire, quickshifter, and anti-wheelie.

In terms of dimensions and weights, both motorcycles have a front tire width of 120 mm and a front tire diameter of 17 inches. However, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 has a wider rear tire at 180 mm compared to the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023's 160 mm. Both motorcycles have the same rear tire diameter of 17 inches.

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

In terms of equipment, both motorcycles are equipped with LED headlights. The Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 also features LED daytime running lights and a TFT display, providing additional visibility and a modern display interface.

In terms of strengths, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 boasts a powerful and elastic engine, a nice sound, good brakes, excellent handling, low weight, comfortable seating position, a huge electronics package, and beautiful looks. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 is suitable for touring, offers a comfortable ride, has a safety package, is very accessible, has ergonomically versatile features, and features the typical Ninja look.

However, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 does have a couple of weaknesses, including a hard-to-find idle and a poorly readable tachometer. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 has average chassis and brakes, and the adjustment of the rear shock absorber can be laborious.

In conclusion, the Aprilia RS 660 2020 and the Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023 are both impressive supersport motorcycles with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Aprilia offers a more powerful engine and a range of advanced rider assistance systems, while the Kawasaki provides a comfortable touring experience and a versatile design. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the rider's preferences and priorities.

Technical Specifications Aprilia RS 660 2020 compared to Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Aprilia RS 660 2020
Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Engine and Drive Train

Engine typeEngine typeIn line crankpin offsetEngine typeIn line
Engine powerEngine power100 HPEngine power68.2 HP
Fuel systemFuel systemInjectionFuel systemInjection
StarterStarterElectricStarterElectric
Clutch TypeClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath, AntihoppingClutch TypeMultiplate in oil-bath
TransmissionTransmissionChainTransmissionChain
Number of gearsNumber of gears6Number of gears6
CylindersCylinders4Cylinders2
StrokesStrokes4-StrokeStrokes4-Stroke
ValvesValvesDOHCValvesDOHC
CoolingCoolingliquidCoolingliquid
DisplacementDisplacement660 ccmDisplacement649 ccm

Suspension Front

Front suspensionFront suspensionUpside-Down telescopic forkFront suspensionTelescopic fork

Suspension Rear

SuspensionSuspensionSwing armSuspensionSwing arm
Shock absorberShock absorberMonoshockShock absorberMonoshock

Chassis

FrameFrameAluminiumFrameSteel
Frame typeFrame typeLoad-bearing engineFrame typeTubular

Brakes Front

TypeTypeDouble diskTypeDouble disk
DiameterDiameter320 mmDiameter300 mm
PistonPistonFour pistonsPistonDouble piston
TechnologyTechnologyradial, MonoblockTechnologyPetal

Brakes Rear

TypeTypeDiscTypeDisc
PistonPistonDouble pistonPistonSingle piston

Assistance Systems

Advanced Rider Assistance SystemsAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Riding modes, Launch-Control, Ride by Wire, Quickshifter, Traction control, Anti-wheelieAdvanced Rider Assistance SystemsABS, Traction control

Dimensions and Weights

Front tyre widthFront tyre width120 mmFront tyre width120 mm
Front tyre heightFront tyre height70 %Front tyre height70 %
Front tyre diameterFront tyre diameter17 inchFront tyre diameter17 inch
Rear tyre widthRear tyre width180 mmRear tyre width160 mm
Rear tyre heightRear tyre height55 %Rear tyre height60 %
Rear tyre diameterRear tyre diameter17 inchRear tyre diameter17 inch
License compliancyLicense compliancyALicense compliancyA

Equipment

EquipmentEquipmentLED-HeadlightsEquipmentLED daytime running lights, LED-Headlights, TFT display

Pros and Cons in comparison

Pros and Cons in comparison

Aprilia RS 660 2020

Aprilia RS 660 2020

With the RS 660, Aprilia skilfully closes the gap between the small bonsai sports bikes and the mighty superbikes. Thanks to its comfortable seating position and gimmicks such as cruise control, the new Italian mid-range can cope very well with everyday life, but the lively engine and the high-quality chassis with good suspension elements can also be ridden in a really sporty manner. The brakes are somewhere in between and the electronics could not be more comprehensive. Finally, the RS 660 sets new standards in design and refuses to be categorised in any way.

Powerful and elastic engine

nice sound

good brakes

excellent handling

low weight

comfortable seating position

huge electronics package

beautiful looks.

Hard to find idle

poorly readable tachometer

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023

To judge the Kawasaki Ninja 650 purely on its paper form would be a serious mistake. The two-day test showed once again that performance data carries more weight at the pub table than in the wild. Kawa's sports tourer does exactly what it is supposed to and, thanks to the constant revision and the new features added for 2023, is still an enrichment for the class. Only hobby racers should be warned, as the name Ninja still stirs up a certain expectation that the 650 does not fully meet.

suitable for touring

comfortable

safety package

very accessible

ergonomically versatile

typical Ninja look

Chassis and brakes only average

adjustment of the rear shock absorber laborious

Price Comparison Avarage Market Price Aprilia RS 660 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650

There are a few key differences between a Aprilia RS 660 2020 and a Kawasaki Ninja 650 2023. It takes less time to sell a Aprilia RS 660 with 118 days compared to 137 days for a Kawasaki Ninja 650. Since model year 2020 1000PS.de editors have written 14 reviews for the Aprilia RS 660 and 20 reviews for the Kawasaki Ninja 650 since model year 2017. The first review for the Aprilia RS 660 was published on 11/5/2019 and now has more than 52,500 views. This compares to more than 79,600 views for the first review on Kawasaki Ninja 650 published on 10/4/2016.

Price Aprilia RS 660

Model year
Current average market prices

Price Kawasaki Ninja 650

Model year
Current average market prices

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