Aprilia RS 457 engine reliability issues addressed, says brand

Aprilia India launched the RS 457 at the 2023 India Bike Week and that marked the brand’s long-awaited foray into the mid-capacity sportbike segment. In the months that followed, everything seemed to be going in favour of Aprilia with positive response from both customers and the media. However, in the last couple of months, customers have shared some troubling reports regarding the reliability of the 457cc engine. Aprilia India has now sent out a statement regarding the same.

1. RS 457 and Tuono 457 use the same engine
2. Some customers have had engine replaced

Aprilia India statement regarding RS 457 engine issues

Company claims affected bikes were modded and not serviced regularly

The statement reads: Aprilia India today reiterated its immense pride in the groundbreaking 457 platform, an engineering conquest born in Noale. Since its global and Indian debut in 2023-24, the exceptional RS 457 has rightfully dominated the mid-performance super sports category, boasting a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. The 457 platform has garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades from our valued customers, dedicated dealer partners, respected journalists, and even elite MotoGP racers, all recognising its outstanding performance and comprehensive riding experience. We stand firmly behind the world-class product we have brought to the passionate community of super sports enthusiasts.

At Aprilia, our commitment extends beyond delivering exhilarating motorcycles; we are equally dedicated to providing unparalleled after-sales support and service. We are aware of recent discussions among a small segment of motorcycle enthusiasts concerning the “reliability” of the 457 platform. We want to unequivocally assure our esteemed customers and the broader motorcycling fraternity that Aprilia has meticulously investigated every single of the handful instances brought to our attention regarding alleged issues. A majority of these “issues” are attributed to only two factors – Unauthorised Aftermarket Modifications and Irregular Service Schedules. For the few genuine cases that arose, we promptly addressed and resolved them in a timely manner, ensuring minimal disruption to our customers.

For riders seeking to enhance their stock RS 457, we strongly encourage the installation of our extensive range of genuine aftermarket accessories, available exclusively through authorised Aprilia service centers. The Aprilia RS 457 platform embodies excitement and pure riding pleasure. It deserves to be enjoyed responsibly and maintained exclusively by certified technicians at authorised Aprilia dealerships. The company is equally responsible and proactive in ensuring best-in-class after sales and service and stands firmly by the side of every Aprilia owner. Moreover, we give our 100 percent assurance that all products sold through our authorised dealerships are in optimal condition, free from any inherent issues, and meet our stringent quality standards.”

Our take

We have spoken to certain customers who have faced issues with their RS 457. Some of the complaints seem to be around the engine losing compression while others have reported a problem with the cam chain tensioners. In some cases, the bikes faced power losses while there were a few isolated incidents of engine failures. Some of the customers we reached out to had modified their motorcycles while others hadn’t. 

The customers that we spoke to (and others who have shared their experience on social media) acknowledged that Aprilia India either replaced the cylinder head assembly on their engines or replaced the entire engine itself under warranty. However, these customers stated that they were not given a clear explanation of what the issue was. One must also note that Aprilia India only offers warranty to the first owner of the machine. 

While Aprilia India has announced that it has addressed the affected motorcycles, only time will tell if the issue has been completely eradicated. That will hopefully be the case as the RS 457 and Tuono 457 are the most expensive locally manufactured motorcycles with on-road prices around Rs 5 lakh, if not higher, in major Indian metro cities. Such premium and enthusiast-focused products cater to customers who generally do a large amount of research into their purchase and keep close track of a product's reputation for reliability. Aprilia India will have some work on its hands when it comes to rebuilding customer faith in these exciting new motorcycles.