Aprilia RS 457 Track Review

120/70 is good for a 200+ kg, 200+ bhp bike. Theres no reason to believe 110/70 are not enough for a lightweight bike like 457.

Very good write up. A few questions:
1) How would you rate overall riding experience between Duke 390 gen 3 and rs 457 including comfort, handling and from long trip perspective?
2) Tuono 457 will hit Indian market sometime in the next 6 months. Would you be willing to replace your ktm with tuono?

Again, very nice write up.
Thanks in advance.

My rendezvous with Aprilia RS457





I happened to visit Baner recently(twice) and grabbed the opportunity to check out the RS457.

The showroom is hardly 5km from my place but the metro work made sure that I do not dare venture that side. This end of calendar year holiday season helped me to muster courage and pay them a visit.

Observations

I saw the bike so closely for the first time and it is a beauty. It looked super compact to me and feels like it will wrap around you. It’s light and very approachable with the low perch helping a lot. Even the pillion seat is quite friendly.

It’s still my dream to own a multi cylinder faired bike with clip-ons! I loved the riding posture. I had the clip-ons fitted on my Adreno-FX and that was my first and last hurrah(I am not counting the P180 clip-ons).

The screen is nice and would not look out of place in even my Multistrada. Riding mode adjustment is pretty straightforward with a dedicated button.

Test ride -
I squeezed a quick test ride on my second visit which was for quite a small duration and distance. I suppose, it lasted around a km and half at max! In this test ride , I took a couple of u turn and found the bike surprisingly nimble in that aspect. Suspension felt plush but the road didn’t had any major potholes.

Engine is responsive and power delivery is linear. The sound is just right and I am quite neutral to that. I have no idea about top end and high speed behaviour since I wasn’t able to test that. I suppose, it will be good tool to flick around in city. The sporty position thanks to clip-ons and a high set foot peg will make every ride special.

The key won’t look out of place in a Godrej lock


The gear console


What’s with the empty space where the swingarm starts?


The beautiful clipons. Compare this with the one on newer Daytonas


The tyre looks more like 140 section. I would have preferred 120 front/160 rear. But hey, at least replacement costs will be in check .






On-road price is ₹4.95L and it still doesn’t comes with extended warranty. Standard warranty is 3 years and delivery can be done in flat 3-4 days after booking.

Ride safe guys!

Nice quick take Abhi. I took a short spin too at the same showroom (just ahead of Anna Idli I guess) so I’m guessing we rode that same small route.

They give a REALLY short test ride. Not really meaningful to be able to make much out. The only thing that stood out to me from that ride was that the turning radius was really large and the handlebar to handlebar lock tended to slap the tank a bit earlier than I expected. But maybe that’s just me not being used to this style of motorcycle.

Tuono 457 is now showing up in https://apriliaindia.com 's homepage.

This is very cool. I do wish they’d first launched a Tuareg 457 though. There is a reasonable overlap between street/track (or sport - basically fairing-ed) bikes in terms of their TG of generally much younger riders who want something for city and street. An Adv platform wouldve covered a new audience that wants that engine but totally different ergonomics, for a totally different purpose.

KTM RC/Duke 390 is best value for money for these segment. It comes with quick shifter and auto blipper. Even MTC is there. Its maximum speed is approx 165-170 KMPH.

Hello all,
I currently own a 2023 Interceptor and I am planning to sell it for something that is in the same (or slightly more) price bracket.

I am not opposed to any format of the motorcycle (except cruisers).

My age is in the early 40's and the body feels like late 50's . I really love the twin cylinder symphony of my Interceptor and the ease at it which it can trundle along at 120 kmph all day but as a daily rider its not practical. I thought I would get adjusted to the shortcomings of the motorcycle but after owning the bike for 2 years, I do not think that will happen.

Its a shame because its such a lovely engine but has terrible hardware to support it. My main gripe is with the suspension being so unpredictable and the wobble at speeds of 90kmph. The 218KG weight doesn't help either.

So here is what I have shortlisted for my use case, which is weekend rides between 50 to 100 kms and occasional rides of about 400 kms. For city duties I have my trusty Activa. Pillion comfort is also a factor.

1) The newly launched KTM Adventure 390X
2) The just launched Aprilia Tuono 457.

Here are the reasons for my confusion, despite shortlisting the two:

1) KTM's future. Yes, most gurus of the automotive world are saying that Indian KTM is in safe hands but at the back of my mind I still have this nagging thought of KTM leaving us high and dry.


2) Moving back to a single cylinder (ADV 390) from the twin will be challenging and I would be a fool to expect that smoothness from a high compression single. My cruising speed is about a 100KMPH but I would also want to have some power waiting in reserve for those naughty moments. So will the 390 suffice? I know it has a better power to weight ratio compared to my Interceptor but will the vibes be tolerable enough not to prove to be a deterrent?

3) If I buy the Tuono, the scariest part is the service center / parts availability. There is no service center in South or Western Mumbai. With only 1 dealership in Chembur, it makes for a nervy proposition. I don't expect any customer service so that check box always remains empty. Secondly being a naked will it heat uncomfortably in bumper to bumper Mumbai traffic? I have heard of heating issues being prevalent in the RS457.

Any help would be appreciated.

My answer on this, after owning the 2nd gen Duke 390 for a year, for you coming from riding the 650 is a straight up NO. The engine is creamy! For me who owns the beginner batch of the 2nd gen Duke 390? Definitely Yes. This 3rd gen LC4C engine feels like a characterless KTM (smooth, linearly fast) while the 1st and 2nd gen KTMs (pre 2020) feel like a Ducati below 3000 rpm in terms of low end and heating but lovely characters them - they have the "dont play with us" expression on their faces. Heat is to be expected from high compression engines, especially above the 40 hp mark and can be lived with in my opinion, as they are not as bad as the liter class bikes. The BS6 Interceptors heat more than their BS4 counterparts.

What you require is the Bear 650s suspensions. They are what the Interceptor should have had. Do try Zubins garage once to see if you can get them fitted.

Your concerns for Aprilia are not far from mine, and are a massive deterrent. I dont expect Japanese reliability from a Italian but the service experience is a hit or miss. I too am actively considering the same motorcycles for an upgrade, while the Bear 650 might just be that wild card entry after a second test ride.

Thanks for the post, it answers a lot of questions I have. I ride a CBR250R and intend to upgrade in the next couple of months. I know I want a sportsbike/sports tourer for mostly spirited weekend rides, so right now it's between an RC 390 or an RS 457. I have two questions I was hoping you could help out with.

In your opinion, is there enough of a difference in the engine to justify the ~1 lakh rupee difference between the two motorcycles? Not to be a spec sheet nerd but peak power and peak torque figures are quite similar for both.

Secondly, are either of these a big enough upgrade over the CBR250R? I find 250cc motorcycles to be quite boring now and don't wanna drop a large sum of money for something that is only slightly different to my outgoing motorcycle.

Cheers!

To answer your second question first: Yes, both of these motorcycles will feel like an upgrade from your current CBR. I have never ridden the CBR but I believe the 250cc bikes deliver power in a very linear manner. I have ridden the Gixxer 250 and Duke 250, both of these bikes are very linear and hence, the RC390 or RS457 will definitely feel like an upgrade.

To answer your first question: The Aprilia's engine is really a gem of a motor. Every rupee you spend on that motorcycle will be worth it just for that engine. A lac for an extra cylinder, easily accessible torque band, more topend power, much better refinement, and ofcourse the sweet exhaust note. If this doesnt convince you, you should definitely take a longer testride. If you still arent convinced, you should just go and get the RC390. But I should remind you that the RC is at the end of its lifecycle, with a new model expected in a year or so, with the new 399cc motor. So choose wisely, and happy shopping

after, having ridden the Honda CBR 250, KTM RC 390 and the Aprilia RS 457, let me also chip in with my experiences. Firstly, is the price difference between the RS 457 and RC 390 (in its current 373cc engine avataar) justified? The answer is a resounding yes! Crack the throttle open at highway speeds and the Aprilia feels like a scaled down middle weight motorcycle that has been made A2 license friendly. Do the same on the RC 390 and the KTM feels like a 250cc motorcycle that is masquerading as a competitor to the Aprilia twin. For some inexplicable reason, KTM simply lost the plot with the final iteration of the 373cc engine. The RC 390 needs to get the 399cc engine from the current Duke 390, for it to become a credible threat to the RS 457.

Is the RS 457 a big enough upgrade to the CBR 250? Again, the answer is a resounding yes!

Thanks Sai and Neil for the information! After reading your replies, I decided to take a test ride myself. But I wanted to experience an RC 390 first, to set a baseline.

I rode a friend's 2020 RC 390 around the city, couple of observations in brief:

1. Engine: Footpeg vibration was crazy at low revs, until about 4000 RPM. Hence why my friend refers to his bike as "tractor" in the city. The top end was really fun though, and I was zipping past cars the moment I opened the throttle, if I was in the right gear. The exhaust noise was distinctly KTM, though I can't say I'm a huge fan of it. Second gear pulls were downright scary the first few times. The engine heat in stop-go traffic was cooking my legs.

2. Ergonomics: You certainly feel like you're sitting on top of the bike, rather than in it. My wrists were slightly sore, but I seem to have a higher pain tolerance than most in this regard so nothing to worry about.

3. Handling: Extremely flickable, made the CBR 250R steering feel lazy and sluggish, which wasn't a complaint I had before.

4. Misellaneous: Gear throws were super long compared to the CBR, I really had to make sure every shift was going in. Fit and finish was solid throughout. Brakes were quite good. The stiff clutch made life miserable for my left hand in traffic, I had to switch back to 4 finger clutching to avoid cramps.

Now with a good baseline, I went to the Motoplex Aprilia Showroom, in Marathahalli. Upon going there, no one attended to me for 10 minutes. A customer was taking delivery, and I think the staff's attention was focused there. I don't think anyone even noticed I was in the dealership until I went to the desk and asked if someone is free. They said a representative would be with me shortly, and I ended up waiting about 10 minutes more before I was finally shown around.

They did have this beast on display though, and I hope to ride this class of motorcycle soon.



The representative seemed knowledgeable, but not very engaged. He let me sit on a bike in the showroom before the test ride. The seat was quite low and even without boots on, I felt super planted on the bike. Once I'd had a chat, I wore some gear and went on the test ride. The test ride route goes through fast roads near the ISRO building, as well as stop go traffic at Marathahalli junction. These are my observations after test riding the Aprilia RS 457:

1. Engine: I get what everyone is talking about now. Compared to the KTM, there were lesser vibrations and wayyyyy more torque at all rev ranges. I mean, I was pinning the throttle in 4th gear at 35kph and the bike zipped forward instantly, it was unbelievable. The noise was better than the KTM, but nothing too exciting. I think only a screaming inline 4 and a Triumph triple (with it's whooshes) truly excite me at this point. I'll keep this minor gripe aside as these engines are way out of my budget I found the heat in traffic to be about equal to the KTM.

2. Ergonomics: Definitely not as hard on the body as the KTM, but still very sporty. For me though, it was no sweat and personally, I can probably do long distances without stopping.

3. Handling: Similarly flickable to the KTM. I was nowhere near the limits so in my experience it was just great. I'm sure experienced riders who ride at ten-tenths will have more nuanced opinions on this.

4. Miscellaneous: The bike puts on speed unbelievably effortlessly, always feeling like it's completely in its comfort zone. Multiple times, I was doing illegal speeds without even realizing it, until I looked down at the speedo. Very different from the KTM where I was always aware of how fast I'm going. The rear brake lever is kind of recessed, making it difficult to press at first while wearing boots. The light clutch was a godsend and I much prefer it to the KTM. The mirrors are meh at best, didn't vibrate much but required a lot of adjusting for me to be able to see anything. I wasn't able to try the quick shifter as the test bike didn't have it equipped, but rev matching was fun and I think I don't need this accessory at the moment.

Final thoughts: I also feel the engine is worth every penny. To me, buying the KTM would feel like a compromise now (performance-wise). However, performance isn't everything. Having spoken to a bunch of Aprilia RS 457 owners both here and elsewhere, the timing chain tensioner issues as well as less frequent (but still too common) compression issues have me spooked. Moreover, my experience at the dealership has really made me wonder how they'll treat me after the sale is made, considering they seemed quite disinterested to make the sale in the first place.

Considering all this, I have decided not to purchase the Aprilia, at least right now The only other options are the Yamaha R3, which is long overdue for an update, and the Ninja 500 which is 1L more than the Aprilia even after recent discounts. I'm now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Although my heart is set on the Aprilia, my mind says otherwise. Moreover, I'd rather stay without a bike than buy something else as a compromise. I'll be waiting intently for Aprilia to sort out their manufacturing issues, and will immediately bite the bullet once that happens. For now though, I'll live my life through other people's experiences.

Thank you everyone who answered my questions, posted reviews and helped me get a better picture of things! Really appreciate it, ride safe!

Farhan reveals some more issues with his 457 and why he sold it. In the video he rides two 457s but both struggle to pull strongly beyond 150.

I'm in the same boat as you are. I'm waiting till year end hoping that Aprillia will iron out all the issues in the bike and by that time, we'll have a new gen KTM RC 390.

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