Aprilia’s RS 660 is HERE. 100bhp. 183kg. £10,149.

The Italian factory has just released its hotly anticipated mid-capacity sportbike; and it should be a good ‘un.

We’ve been talking about Aprilia’s new RS 660 for a couple of years. After seeing the prototype in the flesh at EICMA 2018 and getting a bit more information during last year’s show season, we’ve seen design documents, spy shots and videos of it out testing on track. Aprilia’s definitely not tried to keep its latest machine a secret.

But we’ve all been eagerly awaiting the official launch – confirming that we can finally get our hands on the hot 660 sportbike. The long wait is over. It’s finally here.

Our brothers from Fast Bikes magazine have been out on the launch in Italy – so who better to tell you about the new machine ahead of them sharing their thoughts on how the RS 660 actually goes… Here’s what they had to say.

“Designed with ‘everyday sportiness in mind’, it looks properly sporty, which suits us. Oh, and it’s incredibly well equipped for the cash…

It gets a 100-bhp 660cc parallel-twin that produces 67Nm of torque, developed from the front bank of the 1100cc V4 (that will be used for other machines!).

There’s a full electronics package: TFT Dash that lets you mess with Traction Control, Wheelie Control, Cruise Control, ‘Shifter, ‘Blipper and Cornering ABS, fed through a six-axis IMU. The RS 660 also comes equipped with changeable rider modes, engine map and engine brake strategies.

It’s comes with an aluminium chassis, with the engine as a load-bearing element. The brakes are Brembo, with four piston calipers and dual 320mm discs on the front, and a single disc on the rear. There’s adjustable 41mm USD Kayaba forks and shock, alongside Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II hoops.

And it weighs in at 189kg, wet. It’s priced at £10,149, but Aprilia will cover the first year’s tax and registration fee if you pick one up before Christmas making it just a nip over £10k… What do you think?