2024 Aprilia RS457: Owners possessing A2 licenses may now savor the excitement of a swift and well-handling Aprilia sports bike when the brand-new £6500 RS457 hits dealer shelves this month.
Yes, you could purchase a restricted Aprilia RS660, but that would mean having to carry around extra weight as you wouldn’t have the force to move it along. The RS457 is not having any issues of this kind.
Built with the same DNA as the RS660 and firebreathing RSV4, the Aprilia is a terrific sports bike in its own right, not just a cheap, cheery imitation of a superbike. Its style, paint job, advanced electronics, and color dash are all exquisitely detailed, but most importantly, it rides and handles as an Aprilia should.
While its rider aids never get in the way of your fun and are a useful safety assistance for rookie riders and in tricky conditions, they are not necessary on a hot racecourse with sticky tires. Its powerful new parallel twin-cylinder engine delivers power in a smooth, strong, and easy-to-obtain linear fashion.
The 2024 Aprilia RS457 works at a level that will keep experienced riders wanting more, but it’s also quite easy for new riders to get on with.
Ride quality & brakes
With a weight of 175 kg wet and a new 457cc parallel twin-cylinder engine producing 47 horsepower, the 2024 Aprilia RS457 has created the lightest and most powerful 2024 Aprilia RS457 that still complies with A2 license requirements. Here at its world introduction at the Autodromo di Modena in Italy, Aprilia claims that its lightweight and excellent power-to-weight ratio makes it the most enjoyable to ride.
Even though the majority of 2024 Aprilia RS457 owners won’t even drive near a track, and this 50-something road tester is miles away from the car’s target market, the 2024 Aprilia RS457 is nonetheless impressive. Small-capacity sports bikes have always been about carrying corner speed, and this bike teaches you all you need to know about it while being incredibly easy to ride quickly.
Aprilia added sportier brake pads from the accessory catalog, and the normal Eurogrip Protorq Extreme (no, me neither) tires have been replaced with sticky Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa SP V4 rubber. Despite this, the 2024 Aprilia RS457 never fails to perform well on the track.
The weight is reduced with an aluminum frame, and the RS660 or RSV4 handles the textbook. The 2024 Aprilia RS457 has a reputation for producing well-handling motorcycles, and the 2024 Aprilia RS457 is no flimsy replica of a superbike. With its racing chassis design and small 110-section front tire, it has enough ground clearance, glides through bends with precision, and steers through chicanes with little effort.
In an unimportant track situation, the front end may occasionally feel excessively light and lack tire bite in bends. While preload and ride height balancing may help, regular riding won’t be affected. Before it’s time to sneak beneath the low screen and drive down the next straight, there’s plenty of feel to be had while coming out of corners.
While its spacious riding posture with clip-ons positioned above the top yoke makes it simple for bigger riders to move around, a low seat allows smaller riders to set their feet flat on the ground.
Engine
The swingarm is mounted to the load-bearing crankcase of the brand-new 457cc 270-degree crank parallel twin. 6 kg lighter is the weight of the motor than the RS660s. considerably on the open course of a racecourse, the lightweight 2024 Aprilia RS457 seems rapid, and it will feel considerably faster on the road despite having “only” 47 horsepower.
Aprilia claims a top speed of 118 mph. Its power distribution is friendly and smooth. Additionally accurate is the gearbox, which is ably assisted by an add-on quick shifter.
The same Marelli 11MP ECU that powers the RS6650 and RSV4 also powers ride-by-wire electronics, which enable ABS, traction control, and riding modes. We have the rear disabled, the most TC, the highest power, and the least amount of ABS. Despite having a single-disc setup, there is never even the tiniest trace of electronic interference when using the throttle or applying the powerful brakes.
Reliability & build quality
We hope the RS457 performs better than Aprilia’s previous new sports bike, the RS660, even though it is too early to remark on its dependability. Even if the machine has received a lot of favorable online reviews, there are a few serious flaws that should be taken seriously. Hopefully, they are taken care of for the RS457.
Value vs rivals
Although it is a high-end model, Aprilia has priced it similarly to its closest race rep A2 competitors, such as the £6699 Honda CBR500R, £5999 Kawasaki Ninja 500, £5899 KTM RC390, and £6505 Yamaha R3.
Equipment
It looks like an Aprilia sports bike in addition to handling and going like one. The paint treatments, particularly on the black variant featuring metallic specks that shimmer pink and green in the sunlight, are exceptional.
It has a 13-liter tank with a claimed 69 mpg and LED lighting, as well as a 5-inch color dash and 197 miles of range—though not today on track. A five-inch color display with three riding modes (Eco, Sport, and Rain), three-stage TC (plus “off”), and the ability to turn off the rear ABS are all controlled by backlit switchgear.
Along with apparel bearing the Aprilia trademark, a vast assortment of performance, comfort, and cosmetic accessories are offered.
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Engine size | 457cc |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled 8v parallel twin |
| Frame type | Aluminium twin spar |
| Fuel capacity | 13 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 175kg |
| Front Suspension | 41mm USD forks, adjustable for preload |
| Rear Suspension | Single shock, adjustable for preload |
| Front brake | 320mm discs with four piston radial calipers. Cornering ABS |
| Rear brake | 220mm disc with single-piston caliper. Cornering ABS |
| Front tire size | 110/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 150/60 x 17 |
| Mpg, costs & insurance | |
| Average fuel consumption | 69 mpg |
| Annual road tax | £80 |
| Annual service cost | – |
| New price | £6,500 |
| Used price | – |
| Warranty term | Two years |
| Top speed & performance | |
| Max power | 47 bhp |
| Max torque | 32 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 118 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | – |
| Tank range | 197 miles |