Aprilia RS 660 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Aprilia RS 660 and Kawasaki Ninja 650 are among the most cross-shopped sport bikes of 2026. The Kawasaki Ninja 650 undercuts the Aprilia RS 660 by about $3,250, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Aprilia RS 660 leads on power with 100 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Our pickAprilia
Aprilia RS 660
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Ninja 650The verdict
The Aprilia RS 660 edges it overall at 8.8/10, but the Kawasaki Ninja 650 wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
A2-legal, 68 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Aprilia RS 660
100 hp and 0.55 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Kawasaki Ninja 650
Our 7.8/10 at $8,299, the most bike per dollar.
Aprilia RS 660
183 kg with an 820 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Aprilia RS 660
Our top score in this matchup at 8.8/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
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Aprilia RS 660 vs Kawasaki Ninja 650: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Aprilia RS 660 makes the most power at 100 hp and 67 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $8,299.
Which is lighter, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
The Aprilia RS 660 is the lightest at 183 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Kawasaki Ninja 650?
For a new rider we'd point to the Kawasaki Ninja 650: A2-legal, 68 hp and 193 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
