A young lion just over 400cc | Aprilia RS457 breaks new ground in entry-level models

Aprilia RS457… ¥858,000 (shipments start in February 2025)

You’ll be captivated by the torqueful and lively engine feel

The RS457’s water-cooled parallel twin engine, slightly over 400cc, neither barks nor whispers, but rather raises its voice in just the right place. It’s rough and elegant, and the sound that weaves between these two elements tickles your ears every time you open the throttle.

The response to the movement of the right hand is fresh and smooth, yet it never makes the rider feel rushed. In particular, the tempo of acceleration from the low RPM range to the mid-RPM range is like taking brisk steps. Suddenly, the image of the Ducati Monster 696 from back then crossed my mind.

The crank phase angle of this parallel twin engine is 270°. The standard for parallel twins in the 250-400cc class is 180° phase, which is probably why the RS457 reminded me of the feeling of a 90° V-twin. It’s manufactured in India, but nationality doesn’t matter when you drive it. There was definitely a hint of Italy mixed in with the heat rising from the scorching asphalt.

The 300-500cc market is expanding, especially in emerging countries. Aprilia, which has had success with the lightweight sports car “RS660,” has launched a brand new model, the “RS457,” into this market. The three-digit number in the model name indicates the engine displacement, which means that unfortunately, in Japan, it cannot be ridden with a regular motorcycle license.

As a manufacturer, it is primarily targeted at riders who have stepped up from an A1 license (up to 125cc/15HP) in EU member states, and is positioned as a so-called entry model. However, now that I have actually completed the test ride, I am truly surprised by the performance that even veteran riders will be impressed with.

It was actually Aprilia that introduced ride-by-wire (throttle-by-wire = TBW) to the world’s first mass-produced motorcycle. The Shiver 750, which appeared in 2008, led the way and also featured a riding mode switching function. Looking back, this was a symbolic moment when electronic control began to make serious inroads into the world of motorcycles.

Of course, the RS457 also features TBW and a mode selector. The level of perfection in this electronic control is quite extraordinary. For example, on an uphill slope exceeding 10%, even at around 2000 rpm in third gear, or a speed of less than 30 km/h, the engine continues to produce power without a hint of complaint. An experienced rider would immediately shift down a gear or use the clutch halfway to avoid stalling. However, the RS457, as if it “knows” about it, does not allow you to engage the clutch.

Aprilia’s ease of handling for beginners goes beyond mere gentleness. It is sensitive even down to the very low RPM range, building trust between the engine and the rider. The precision of the settings will leave you speechless.

The strength of the torque that surges from the low to mid-range is clearly in a different league to the Honda CBR400R or Kawasaki Ninja 400, perhaps due in part to the 14% larger displacement. There’s a truly rich thrust when you open the throttle, and once you exceed 6000 rpm, the engine begins to exude a sporty allure as it revs up. And that momentum continues to surge all the way up to 10,500 rpm, where the redline begins.

Of course, technically, it would have been possible to extract even more power. However, Aprilia chose to stick to the A2 license limit of 35kW (47.6HP), achieving both power in everyday use and spectacular performance at high revolutions. The adoption of a 270° phase crankshaft is what made this possible. The unique beat that gives the engine a somewhat “undulating” feel gives it a distinct character.

Another thing not to be overlooked is the excellent shift feel. Simply describing it as smooth would be a waste. There’s a satisfying click and the gears click into place. The act of shifting itself is enjoyable. While clutchless and shiftless technologies have been emerging one after another in recent years, Aprilia has always honed its technology to convey the joy of manual operation. This attitude gives a glimpse of the pride of Italian sports cars.

Not only is it easy to handle, but it also has handling that goes beyond that.

You fall in love with its sharp looks at first sight, and before you know it, you’ve signed the contract… The RS457’s handling easily exceeds the expectations of such riders. Compared to the CBR400R or Ninja 400, the agility of turning and leaning into corners is a cut above the rest. It’s so sharp you might even want to use the word “sharp,” allowing you to freely control your line even while cornering. And yet, there’s no sense of testing the rider’s skill like with the old racer replicas. Rather, you can almost feel a gentleness, as if the bike is reaching out to you and saying, “Have fun.” Here, too, Aprilia’s clear intention to bring the fun of sports riding to as many people as possible is apparent.

The source of this agility is not simply the light weight of the bike. Aprilia did not go in the direction of “bulking” the tire size. Compared to the CBR400R, both the front and rear tires are one size narrower, and they also use specially designed radial tires. In other words, it shows their attitude of tuning the entire bike functionally.

And the excellent response to the rider’s control is undoubtedly due to the aluminum frame, which is rare in this class. It responds sharply to inputs and conveys your intentions precisely at the entrance to corners. It invites you to take it to the circuit.

On the other hand, when you enter a rough mountain road, the stiffness of the suspension becomes apparent. The body may tend to bounce a little over joints and bumps in the pavement. In such situations, the CBR400R, with its linked monoshock in the rear, high-grade forks in the front, and a flexible steel frame, is the better choice. If you’re looking for touring-like comfort, go for the Honda, and if you’re looking for agile responsiveness, go for the Aprilia; each bike has a clear position.

I’d also like to mention the brakes. There’s a single disc at the front, but it has absolutely no lack of stopping power. In fact, because the body is so light, it’s more than effective enough. In addition, there’s no doubt that the reduction in unsprung weight contributes to the bike’s nimble handling. The dogleg-shaped lever is easy to operate, and the adjuster allows for precise settings. You can feel the attention to detail.

In Japan, the advantages of the RS457 tend to be somewhat overlooked due to the restrictions of the license system. However, the RS457 is unique in terms of its completeness as a product, its concept, and its positioning. It will appeal to veteran riders who are considering downsizing from a supersport bike, and for Aprilia fans who find the RS660 a bit out of reach, this could be a solid “option.”

Riding position and foot reach (175cm/68kg)

Detailed explanation

Aprilia RS457 main specifications

Engine type: 4-stroke, water-cooled, in-line twin-cylinder, DOHC, 4-valve,

Total displacement: 457cc,

Bore x stroke: 69mm x 61.1mm,

Maximum power: 47.6HP (35kW) at 9,400 rpm

, Maximum torque: 43.5Nm at 6,700 rpm,
Fuel supply system:
Electronic

fuel injection system, φ36mm twin throttle body, ride-by-wire accelerator management system, Lubrication system
: Wet sump, Starting system: Self-acting, Transmission:
6-speed return (Aprilia Quickshift UP/DOWN available as an option), Clutch: Wet multi-plate
clutch with assist and slipper system, Frame: Double-spar aluminium
frame, Front suspension: φ41mm telescopic inverted
fork, adjustable spring preload, wheel travel: 120mm, Rear suspension: Steel swingarm, mono shock absorber, adjustable spring preload, wheel travel: 130mm,
Front brakes: 320mm discs, ByBre radial mount 32mm 4-piston caliper
brake (R) 220mm diameter disc, ByBre 1-piston caliper
Overall length/width 1,982.5 mm/760 mm
Seat height 800 mm
Wheelbase 1,350 mm
Tires (F) 110/70 ZR 17 Aluminum wheels 3.0″ x 17″
Tires (R) 150/60 ZR 17 Aluminum wheels 4.5″ x 17″
Weight Equipped weight: 175 kg (with 90% fuel load), Dry weight: 159 kg
Fuel tank capacity 13 L
Country of manufacture India