Aprilia’s Rocket and Race Ready RS 457
Aprilia has targetted youngsters and those on A2 licences with a gorgeous, race-ready track bike that delivers in looks, performance and handling. Italian styling and gleaming colours combine to give you a desirable machine that carries through when you ride one.
Although the Aprilia RS 457 is costly, it is a premium motorcycle worth the investment and brings plenty of joy. The Aprilia is an excellent sports bike in its own right. It shares the same DNA as the powerful RSV4 and RS660. This bike is impressive in its beautiful styling and paintwork, sophisticated electronics, and colour dash. Most importantly, it performs and handles precisely as an Aprilia should. The highest compliment one can give.
The motorcycle's powerful new parallel twin-cylinder engine delivers a smooth, solid, easily accessible linear performance. Although its rider aids may not be necessary on a hot racetrack with sticky tyres, they can be helpful safety aids for new riders and in challenging conditions. The motorcycle steers effortlessly and handles corner speed with aplomb. Additionally, it boasts powerful brakes that inspire confidence.
The RS457 is a fantastic bike for both new and experienced riders. Aprilia has designed it to be lightweight and powerful within the A2 license regulations, with a weight of 175kg when wet and a 457cc parallel twin-cylinder engine that delivers 47bhp—creating a power-to-weight ratio that is the best in its class, making the bike incredibly enjoyable. It's easy to ride at high speeds and can teach you everything you need about cornering, which is essential for small-capacity sports bikes.
An aluminium frame helps reduce the bike's weight, and its handling is exemplary, similar to the RSV4 or RS660. Aprilia has always been known for making bikes with excellent handling, and the RS457 is no exception. It manoeuvres smoothly through corners, offers ample ground clearance, and navigates chicanes effortlessly with its narrow 110-section front tyre and sporty chassis geometry.
Although the bike's front end can sometimes feel too light with a lack of grip when taking corners, this is a minor issue in a non-competitive racing environment.
Adjusting the ride height and preload could improve this, but it won't be a problem for everyday riding.
The bike offers plenty of feedback when exiting corners before it's time to lean forward, tuck under the low screen, and accelerate down the next straight.
A low seat allows smaller riders to reach the ground comfortably, while its spacious riding position with clip-ons mounted above the top yoke enables taller riders to move around quickly.
The all-new 457cc 270-degree crank parallel-twin engine produces 47bhp; it feels quick, even on the open expanses of a racetrack and even faster on the road.
Aprilia claims that their motorcycle can reach a top speed of 118mph. The newly designed engine boasts a smooth and user-friendly power distribution and a deep and satisfying exhaust note. The bike has enough torque to accelerate swiftly, even at low revs. Additionally, the gearbox is exact and benefits from using an accessory quick shifter.
The same Marelli 11MP ECU controls ride-by-wire electronics found in the RS6650 and RSV4. This enables riding modes, traction control, and ABS. We're using maximum power, the least TC, and ABS with the rear disabled.
Despite being a single-disc setup, there's only the slightest hint of electronic intrusion hard on the throttle and impressive brakes.
Aprilia has priced it in the ballpark of its closest race rep A2 rivals, the £6499 CFMoto 450SR, £6699 Honda CBR500R, £5999 Kawasaki Ninja 500, £5899 KTM RC390 and £6505 Yamaha R3.
The Aprilia sports bike handles well and has an impressive appearance. The bodywork has beautiful attention to detail, with aero slots, vents, and scoops. The paint finishes are also superb, especially the black version, which has metallic flecks that glow green and pink in sunlight. The bike has LEDs, a 5-inch colour dash, and a 13-litre tank. With a claimed 69mpg, the tank should give a handy 197-mile range, making it an excellent choice for long rides.
New £6,500
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