Aprilia RS 457 Test: Introduction, positioning and rivals of the Aprilia RS 457
Aprilia has always taken care of its range of sports bikes, from the RS 125 to the formidable RSV4. In 2023, the gap between the two models was reduced, with the presentation of the Aprilia RS 660, which has proven to be a best-seller throughout Europe among sports bikes and which, although it may be limited for the A2, was not designed for it. The same cannot be said of our protagonist today.
The Aprilia RS 457 (47.5 hp, €7,199), designed exclusively as a model for the A2, but which can be enjoyed endlessly with an A licence, such is its fun factor, a result of its power/weight ratio and its equipment.
Its rivals are not lacking and the fight will be tough: Honda CBR500R (46 hp, €7,475), Yamaha R3 (42 hp, €6,799), Kawasaki Ninja 500 (45 hp. €6,775), KTM RC390 (44 hp, €6,999) -this single-cylinder- or the CF Moto 450 SR (46 hp, €6,890) are the contenders in the segment of sports bikes intended for the A2.
The current generations are not aware of how lucky they are to have such a wide range of options for the A2 in general and sports bikes in particular. And in particular, the week I spent on board the Aprilia RS 457. I think I have rejuvenated…
Aprilia RS 457 Test: Technical features and equipment of the Aprilia RS 457
The overall design of the Aprilia RS 457 is virtually identical to that of the Aprilia RS 660, but on a smaller scale. The bike feels small and light, and it is: it weighs 159 kg dry, which is 174 kg in running order, a truly remarkable figure.
How does this work? Like the Aprilia RS 660, it has an aluminium frame and the engine acts as a self-supporting part. The swingarm – this time made of sheet steel – in the shape of a banana (as they used to say in the 90s) is spectacular.
The engine follows the same structure as its bigger sister. It is a parallel twin cylinder DOHC with 8 valves, water cooled and with crankshaft timing at 270º to reproduce the pulse (and sound) of a V engine. It delivers a power of 48 hp at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 44 Nm at 6,700 rpm.
The best thing about it is that it delivers 80% of its torque from 3,000 rpm. This means that the torque curve is flat and the thrust is linear throughout the rev counter. As we will see later, this makes driving much easier. The shifting is fast and effective, and you can add a quickshifter as an option, which is highly recommended.
The chassis is well dimensioned. The front end has an inverted fork with 41 mm diameter bars and 120 mm of travel. It has preload adjustment. It also has a steering damper. The front brake is a 320 mm diameter disc, gripped by 4-piston Bybre (acronym for by Brembo) calipers.
At the rear, the rear monoshock, directly anchored to the swingarm, has 130 mm of travel and also preload adjustment. The rear brake is 220 mm and has a single-piston caliper. The brakes are assisted by ABS, which can be disconnected on the rear brake, but as we will see in “How the Aprilia RS 457 goes”, it does not make much sense. The dimensions of the wheels are 110/70-17″ on the front wheel and 150/60-17″ on the rear.
Electronics are also present through the electronic accelerator and the three engine modes available (Sport, Eco and Rain), in which the intervention of the traction control can be modified, adjustable in 3 levels, or directly disconnected.
All these operations are very easy to perform and view via the dials and the TFT screen, where you can see all the information you could wish for, including stopwatch, over-rev light and coolant temperature on 4 consecutive screens.
However, on the main screen, where you can see speed, rpm and gear engaged, it is not possible to see odometer and trip information. This is not a problem, since it is very easy to access this information by simply pressing a button on the control unit; although it is not a motorcycle designed for long distances, it is still striking.
The brake and clutch levers are adjustable. The clip-on handlebars are positioned above the stem in search of a good compromise between comfort and effectiveness, while the small dome covering the instrumentation is more aesthetic than effective. The lighting is full LED and includes DRL daytime running lights.
Aprilia RS 457 Test: How does the Aprilia RS 457 go?
The riding position of the Aprilia RS 457 is not as extreme as its appearance might suggest. It is a sports bike, indeed, but Aprilia is aware that this is a bike for young people and that it will probably be the only vehicle they have access to. That is why a compromise on economy is important.
The clip-on handlebars are above the seat post and although the weight is clearly supported on the front end, it is not a torture rack. The footrests also contribute to this, which are not very high and make this bike suitable for a wide variety of sizes. The seat is 800 mm from the ground, which together with the narrowness of the assembly and the low weight, makes manoeuvring when stopped easier.
If you have tried an RS 660, you will immediately recognise the RS 457 as a sister. The sound is not particularly loud, but it is suggestive and feels sporty from the first touch of the throttle.
Once underway, the power output at low revs is surprising, even after reading the spec sheet. I was expecting a more aggressive engine, but I found a full-bodied engine throughout the rpm range, especially in the mid-range. It also has a stretch, even at high revs, accompanied by an exciting sound.
It’s very easy to ride in traffic, you don’t need to slip the clutch to get the bike out of any situation. It’s also fair to say that this isn’t a bike exclusively for the city, your wrists will eventually get sore, but it doesn’t shy away from scenarios for which it wasn’t designed.
The fun starts when we approach one of its natural environments, the curves. The other would be the circuit, but that is another test, because its abilities are very good. Returning to the road, the ease of entering curves is extraordinary. Everything on it helps, but the first factor is the information provided by the front end, which together with the lightness and thrust of the engine, combine a perfect combo to brighten your day.
It is a bike that feels comfortable in all circumstances, both at a leisurely pace and pushing to feel the support of the front wheel. I was also surprised by the behavior of the rear end, which I expected to be drier because the shock absorber was anchored to the swingarm without rods, but it is able to maintain its trajectory in fast curves on curvy asphalt.
All bikes show their best side on good asphalt, the Aprilia RS 457 too, but its lightness allows for hellish cornering even when the surface is not the best. It is one of those bikes that you think “I could have gone faster”. The front brake is fantastic in tight corners, for its power, feel and progressiveness, but I cannot say the same about the rear brake. I am inclined to think that it was a problem with the unit tested (it had few kilometres), because it was practically non-existent.
I use the rear brake a lot, both to accompany the front brake when braking and to brake mid-corner (when I’m going a bit too fast) without the bike lifting up. On the Aprilia RS 457 I couldn’t notice its effects, so it’s irrelevant to be able to switch off the ABS, because it’s impossible to lock it. It’s possible to go even further, through the recently introduced Aprilia RS 457 Trophy Competition Kit that turns the RS 457 into a racing machine.
The performance of the Aprilia RS 457 is above what I expected for an A2 bike, to the point that there comes a time when you become distracted and don’t even remember that it is a limited bike, but rather a fun bike, very fun.
The engine can be pushed to the limit, beyond 10,000 rpm, but to get the most out of the engine it is not necessary to go to such extremes. In certain curves, it is capable of tackling them in two different gears, which gives an idea of the elasticity of the engine.
There are many factors that determine what makes a good motorcycle, but I don’t know of any good bike that isn’t fun. Did I mention that the Aprilia RS 457 is?
