In the twenty first century, bike producers with important histories like to resurrect their historic badges on new machines. There’s each good cause and loads of precedent for this, in fact. Sometimes it really works in how a brand new mannequin with an previous identify is perceived, and typically it is extra difficult.

Longtime followers of middleweight sportbikes have a particular regard for the Yamaha R7 badge. That is, in fact, as a result of they’re pondering again on one of the crucial fascinating bikes of the Nineties, the racing homologation special OW02. So naturally, when Yamaha introduced plans to resurrect the R7 badge on a strong however primary and reasonably priced middleweight sportbike, it resulted in quite a lot of raised eyebrows amongst fans. 

There’s a particular logic to Yamaha’s naming alternative, because it’s meant to tackle the mantle of the R6 within the present lineup. The development from R3 to R7 and R1 is evident. However, due to the OW-02, the R7 badge comes with its personal historical past and notion that is arduous to shake.

In a means, newer producers would possibly virtually have it a bit bit simpler as a result of they do not have to contemplate all of the ramifications of reusing historic mannequin names. Instead, they’ll do what Aprilia did and take a motorcycle like its widespread RSV4, successfully chop the engine in half, and name it the RS 660. Was there an RS 660 earlier than? No, and that is the great thing about it. As the primary one among its line, it has the chance to set its personal expectations.

In this Spec Showdown, we’ve got two trendy middleweight sportbike contenders. One bears the burden of historical past and lineage on its shoulders, whereas the opposite is relatively unfettered.

Which bike reigns supreme? We can inform you on paper, although it is a battle that can likely be fought at many a observe all over the world, a number of occasions over. Note: All figures right here have been supplied by the producers.

Engine, Power, and Torque

On paper, the Yamaha R7 has barely larger displacement than the Aprilia RS 660, but it surely’s down on energy, to the tune of barely over 27 ponies.

Both bikes produce nearly the identical torque, though the R7 hits its peak decrease within the rev vary than the RS 660. 

There’s a transparent winner right here, though the true context of those energy figures will not be identified till we get into comparative curb weights. Power is nice, but it surely’s even higher with a machine that is lighter in weight.

Round 1 Winner: Aprilia RS 660

Chassis

The Aprilia RS660 has a detachable rear subframe design, which the R7 would not have. Hopefully you will not want it, however within the occasion of a crash, that may be the distinction between merely having to switch a damaged rear subframe and having to complete your bike.

Suspensions aren’t terribly dissimilar, though the RS 660 has barely much less entrance suspension journey than the R7. How you’re feeling about that can largely be a matter of non-public desire. The similar is true for the wheels and tires, as some individuals would possibly want both the Bridgestone or the Pirelli compounds provided on every of those bikes.

The greatest distinction right here is within the brakes, the place the Aprilia RS 660 setup clearly shines. 

Round 2 Winner: Aprilia RS 660

Dimensions

With a barely decrease seat peak, the Aprilia RS 660 is arguably barely extra accessible to a wider vary of riders. The distinction may be very slight right here, although, and seat peak is not every part.

A robust argument in favor of the Aprilia RS 660 is its claimed curb weight and gasoline tank capability, particularly when taken collectively compared to the Yamaha R7. The RS 660 concurrently has a bigger gasoline capability and but, it additionally weighs a full 11 kilos lower than the R7 on the curb. 

The benefit right here, as in our two earlier classes, is evident.

Round 3 Winner: Aprilia RS 660

Electronics and Other Features

There’s no actual contest right here. The Aprilia RS 660 is packed stuffed with options that the inventory R7 merely cannot match, not to mention beat.

Round 4 Winner: Aprilia RS 660

Price

The Yamaha R7 is $2,300 inexpensive than the Aprilia RS 660. If you are merely on the lookout for the least costly possibility between the 2, then the R7 wins.

Round 5 Winner: Yamaha R7

Overall Winner: Aprilia RS 660

You might arguably take the $2,300 that you have saved on the MSRP of the R7 and throw it proper again into modifications and upgrades on that bike. Some riders would possibly wish to do that, and a few may not. There’s no appropriate reply; there’s solely determining what you particularly wish to do together with your bike.

Do you desire a absolutely feature-packed bike on this class that you may get pleasure from on each road and observe, proper out of the field? Or would you like the expertise of taking a much less feature-packed machine and including solely the particular modifications that you really want? Where do you get your pleasure, and what’s your finances?

On paper, the Aprilia RS 660 prices a bit bit extra, however you get an entire lot of bang on your buck.

You Ride Bikes, Not Spec Sheets

As we all the time say on the finish of a Spec Showdown, in the end, the bike that wins is the bike that greatest meets your wants.

I’ll allow you to in on a bit secret. In the previous few years, one dialog that regularly comes up amongst bike journalists at press occasions is how arduous it’s to discover a really dangerous bike today. Enthusiasts in all bike classes are spoiled for alternative on this period, and it is a real delight to see.

The actual query here’s what you are on the lookout for in your potential middleweight sportbike expertise. Once you’ve got figured that out, you will have a greater thought of which bike is greatest suited to you and your wants.

Also, spec sheets cannot inform you how a motorcycle truly feels to experience. If you are really excited by two (or extra) bikes, such because the Yamaha R7 and the Aprilia RS 660, your greatest wager is to check experience each and see how they swimsuit you. Maybe the ergonomics on one are higher suited to your body than the opposite, which might make an enormous distinction in your driving expertise. 

Another factor to contemplate on this particular case is the vendor community. Aprilias normally could be nice bikes for the proper riders, however there is no arguing the truth that Yamaha has a a lot wider vendor community than Aprilia does. How a lot you prefer to wrench on a motorcycle your self (or what reliable retailers are in your space) may also influence your resolution.