Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1519162
P136 RIDE REVIEW I 2024 APRILIA RS 457 The seat height on the RS 457 is 31.5 inches, putting me on my toes in the saddle but it's otherwise manageable. The tallest rider in the group complained that he felt cramped in the cockpit but did compliment Aprilia for their smart gas tank design that had strategic indents for his helmet chin bar to rest in when tucking on the front straight. The RS 457 is a straight-up stunner in the looks department. The headlights and body- work are derived from the undisputed beauty of the RS heritage. Components like the frame and swingarm have been carefully designed and ex- quisitely shaped by Aprilia's tastemakers. In this category of bike, where price-consciousness often outweighs styling, it is a masterpiece. Therein lies the rub, however. Since Aprilia insists on being the most premium option in the lightweight sportbike segment, this means that it is the most expensive with an MSRP of $6899. Whether or not it brings enough performance to the table to justify the price tag is open for debate. The Kawasaki Ninja 500 KRT SE ABS edition has a higher horsepower figure—a claimed 51 hp compared to the RS's 47 horse - power—and comes with a lot of similar techni- cal features for $500 less (or the base model for $1000 less). The KTM RC 390 may not be as powerful as the other two but does come standard with quickshifter, ride modes, ABS, TC and a TFT dash for $1000 less than the RS. The entry-level motorcycle market has matured, and Aprilia's timing is late but strate- gic as it focuses on the upper crust of riders. The RS 457 fills a niche in the model lineup for multiple global markets—an entry-level offer- ing in the U.S., an A2 tiered license option for Europe, and a big bike option in Asia. Most importantly, it is a breath of fresh air in a segment that has grown stale over the years with the same old offering. Small Ninjas and RCs are ubiquitous on American streets, but an Italian lightweight sportbike that looks like its racey older brother in the RSV4? That is motiva- tion indeed to put up the few extra dollars to stand out at the next bike night or trackday. CN 2024 APRILIA RS 457 ($6899) ENGINE: Parallel-twin, 4-stroke VALVETRAIN: 4-valve, DOHC DISPLACEMENT: 457cc BORE X STROKE: 69 x 61.1mm COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid MAX POWER: 47 hp @ 9400 rpm MAX TORQUE: 32 ft-lb @ 6700 rpm FUEL INJECTION: Electronic fuel injection system, twin 36mm throttle bodies EXHAUST: 2-1 TRANSMISSION: 6-speed CLUTCH: Wet, multi-plate, slip and assist ELECTRONICS: Three Riding Modes, ABS, Traction Control CHASSIS: Cast aluminum twin-spar FRONT SUSPENSION: 41mm inverted fork, adjustable spring preload REAR SUSPENSION: Monoshock, adjustable spring preload FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 4.72 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 5.12 in. FRONT BRAKE: Single 320mm disc, ByBre 4-piston radial monobloc calipers REAR BRAKE: Single 220mm disc, ByBre single-piston caliper FRONT TIRE: 110/70 ZR 17 in. REAR TIRE: 150/60 ZR 17 in. RAKE: 24.1° TRAIL: 4.04 in. WHEELBASE: 53.1 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 31.5 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 3.4 gal. WEIGHT (CURB): 385 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S