2024 Aprilia RS 457

Aprilia’s RS 457 is the newest entry into its sportbike lineup. It features a 457cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank, makes a claimed 48 hp and 32 lb.-ft. of torque, and weighs 386 pounds. Building completely new from the ground up, Aprilia followed the same design philosophy as the RS 660 for this lightweight sportbike: utilizing the engine as the main structure component of the motorcycle, but developing the RS 457 into a smaller, more accessible package that meets European A2 license requirements. Recognizing a gap in its lineup between its European-only RS 125 and the widely popular, Cycle World Ten Best–winning RS 660, Aprilia developed the RS 457 to fill this hole and join the 300cc–500cc segment, a highly popular segment that is getting a lot of attention right now. But as much as the Italian manufacturer recognizes the street-focused characteristics of competing models in this class, Aprilia prioritized track performance. After all, it is an “RS.” Engine Dual 36mm throttle bodies feed the 69 x 61.1mm bore and stroke inside the RS’ 457cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder parallel twin. This 270-degree-crank equipped mill makes a claimed 47.6 hp at 9,400 rpm and 32.08 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,700 rpm. The six-speed transmission features a slipper/assist clutch and can be fitted with an accessory bidirectional quickshifter. Aprilia’s newest offering utilizes a 457cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crank, making a claimed 48 hp and 32 lb.-ft. of torque. Aprilia Spinning laps around the tight racetrack, the engine’s impressive low-end torque pulls strongly off an apex. Aprilia says it tuned the engine to deliver 82 percent of maximum torque at 3,000 rpm, allowing riders to easily ride a gear high even on the tightest corners—of which this Italian circuit has plenty. Its ride-by-wire system provides a connected and intuitive response without any vagueness when metering the throttle. A strong and broad midrange easily carries the bike from one corner to the next with peak horsepower coming near the bike’s roughly 10,500 rpm redline. Looking at the engine’s dyno chart, the area under the power curve is extremely large, making the 457cc parallel twin flexible on the racetrack. Carrying third gear around the entire track only shifting to fourth and fifth on the straights was easily done on the 2.1-kilometer-long (1.3 miles) circuit. Ripping off an apex or shedding speed for a corner, the accessory bidirectional quickshifter with an auto-blip function worked flawlessly and added to the RS 457's racy spirit. Ripping off an apex or shedding speed for a corner, the accessory bidirectional quickshifter with an auto-blip function worked flawlessly and added to the RS 457's racy spirit.Aprilia We did not have an opportunity to ride the RS 457 off the racetrack but its bottom-end grunt, powerful midrange, and strong top-end lead us to believe the 457cc parallel twin will perform just as well off the racetrack. The 270-degree crank not only gives the RS 457 a strong, throaty exhaust note but also delivers the familiar engine pulses we have come to love from this engine configuration. Aprilia’s 457cc parallel twin is one of the best in class, delivering a surge of power at nearly every rpm. Chassis and Suspension Similar to the Aprilia RS 660, the 457's engine is the main structural piece. The cast aluminum frame (the only one in this class) mounts directly to the engine as does the steel swingarm, exhaust, and footpegs; all in effort to keep the sportbike compact, narrow, and lightweight. Aprilia has gained a reputation for developing a sporty, agile chassis in the RSV4, Tuono 1100, and RS 660. The RS 457 is no different. Chassis rigidity was tuned for track performance, providing razor-sharp handling. While loading the front end on corner entry and stressing the rear tire on corner exit, the chassis doesn’t flex or wallow. Aprilia’s RS 457 gives a firm and planted riding experience. The bike’s compact chassis allows the rider to easily change direction when flick