Motorcycle specifications ApriliaRS 457 2024 New target for Noale

It's no surprise that Aprilia has thrown itself into the battle of the 400s. Admittedly, the Italian manufacturer is a specialist in sports machines, and the arrival of a new RS is synonymous with lots of fun...

Except that RS models have always been geared towards a higher definition of performance. The RS 250 was a little pistarde unleashed on the road, the RSV 1000 gave the Ducati 916 a run for its money and stood up to the Japanese hypersports, the RSV4 calmed the whole class with its super engine and killer chassis (and it's still going strong with the latest generation). In short, what's Aprilia got to do with a displacement that's not exactly appealing?

It's just that the sector is starting to get crowded. Between the KTM RC 390, the Yamaha R3, the Kawasaki Ninja 500, the CF Moto 450 SR and the Chinese sportbikes ready to land (Benelli 400 Tornado, Kove 400 RR, BMW G 310 RR / TVS Apache 310 RR, Voge 300 RR, and so on), the market is showing its potential; especially outside our borders. Globalization is taking place in Asia, where purchasing power favors medium-displacement bikes. Between selling one RSV4 a year or several thousand 400s, the choice is quickly made.
And then there's the WorldSSP 300 - the young showcase of the World Superbike Championship, in which Kawasaki makes up half the field. The desire for battle is not far away.

Which brings us to the new RS 457. Genealogically, it bridges the gap between the RS 125 and RS 660. There's a huge gap between the less powerful (15 hp) and more powerful (100 hp) models. With its 47hp twin-cylinder engine, this cheetah naturally finds its place in the family, and is just right for the A2 category. The engine features liquid cooling, twin ACT and 4 valves per cylinder.
Where Noale's bike plays one of its trump cards is in weight. At 159 kg dry and 175 ready to ride, it boasts the best power-to-weight ratio in the segment. A quick look at the figures reveals that the Katoche and Kawa do better. Always optimistic and above all chauvinistic, the Italians.

The Aprilia, on the other hand, comes up with far more appreciable technical solutions. It's the only one to offer an aluminum perimeter frame, where the engine plays a load-bearing role. The layout is identical to that of the RS 660. The electronics package is also of a higher standard, with ride-by-wire throttle, 3-stage traction control + off, three riding modes, dual-channel ABS that can be deactivated at the rear, 5-inch TFT color display, LED headlight with DRL light signature, backlit switches and optional shifter. Not bad at all for a 400!

a scaled-down RS 660, with half the power and electronics. The design is also very similar, with the same look and a very inspired silhouette. However, Aprilia has given it a number of specific features so that it can assert its own identity. The air intake lips are more prominent, each headlamp has eyelids, there are gills on the forkhead cheeks and the side panels are slightly different.

As the 457 doesn't have as much power asthe 660, there's no need to add heavy braking. It will have to make do with a single brake disc per wheel (320 mm / 220 mm) with ByBre calipers (low-cost Brembo); 4 pistons at the front with radial mounting / 1 at the rear.
The chassis is noble on the frame side, but rougher all around. You have to make an effort. The swingarm is steel, and the suspension offers only preload adjustment; the tires are Protorq Extreme HR (from TVS - India). Enough to ride, but not to show off at the café.

The 41 mm upside-down forks will start guiding the trajectory, then the thinness of the tires (110 F / 150 R) should give the RS 457 good agility. The riding position promises to be accommodating, with half-handlebars positioned above the fork crown.

The RS 457 is sure to appeal to the A2 public and stir the emotions of a good part of the A2 market. Both sporty and road-going, it arrives in a market that is clearly expanding. But be warned, it's not a sharp blade like the new Kawasaki ZX-4RR, a true pistarde with a 4-cylinder engine almost twice as powerful - and much more expensive.
Faced with the machines already on the market, the Aprilia puts forward some solid arguments. The confrontation promises to be a bitter one.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos