Aprilia RS 457

The Aprilia RS 457 looks and feels like a much bigger motorcycle and takes strong inspiration from the RS 660. It has styling that stands out from every angle, although the exhaust looks unfinished compared to the rest of the bike. The switchgear and other parts feel high quality, but the direction buttons do not feel tactile enough, especially while wearing gloves. The TFT display is crisp and well laid out, though there were occasional glitches with button response and a few display pixels while showing messages. Apart from these small issues, the motorcycle feels well put together and premium overall.

The riding position is more aggressive than its Japanese rivals, but it is still not as uncomfortable as a Yamaha R15. The RS 457 feels more committed to performance and has a sporty sense of occasion. The seats are firm but not overly harsh, and the bike is comfortable enough for commuting as well as weekend rides. The suspension handles broken roads reasonably well at lower speeds, but at higher speeds over rough surfaces, the firm seat, suspension and leaned-forward ergonomics can feel tiring. Heat management is also impressive, as the cooling system keeps temperatures under control even in heavy traffic and hot conditions.

The RS 457 delivers fiery performance and strong acceleration. It reaches triple-digit speeds effortlessly, with 120-130kph feeling smooth and relaxed. The engine feels refined, with only a mild tingle in the footpegs at high rpm. The gearbox is smooth enough, though slightly clunky in feel, and the lack of a standard quickshifter is noticeable. The parallel-twin engine has a distinctive bark and growl thanks to its 270-degree firing order, along with small pops and cracks on downshifts.

Fuel efficiency in city traffic was low at 17.03kpl, but highway efficiency improved to 32.52kpl. Even when ridden briskly, the bike can realistically manage around 220-240km on a tankful.

The RS 457 feels sharp and confidence inspiring, with excellent chassis composure even over undulations at triple-digit speeds. Aprilia’s suspension and chassis setup deliver a balance between sporty handling and street usability. The motorcycle feels stable, agile and rewarding while cornering, without becoming too hardcore for daily use.

The braking setup performs strongly in most situations and delivered some of the best stopping results in the segment, helped by the sharp front brake and TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres. However, repeated hard use can lead to brake fade, especially during track riding or aggressive downhill riding.

The RS 457 gets Bluetooth-enabled call and music controls through the Aprilia app, along with turn-by-turn navigation powered by Here Maps. Call alerts display neatly on the TFT screen, although navigation occasionally misses addresses or blanks out guidance arrows. The bike also gets three riding modes: Sport, Eco and Rain, which adjust throttle response. The clutch is extremely light and easy to use in traffic.

Priced between Rs 4.22 lakh and Rs 4.37 lakh (ex-showroom), the RS 457 delivers an experience that feels very close to a bigger superbike at a relatively accessible price. It combines exotic styling, strong performance, sharp handling and a premium feel into one package. While there are a few shortcomings like the missing quickshifter and brake fade under hard use, they are either easy to fix or easy to overlook. The RS 457 succeeds in making every ride feel special.