UNLEASHING THE THRILL

The Aprilia RS 457 is the Italian stallion most of us have dreamt of and is a worthy product to carry the Aprilia legacy forward

- GAVIN RODRIGUES

Revving its way into the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts, the Aprilia RS 457 is a marvel on two wheels. From the moment we first saw this motorcycle at IBW, we’ve long awaited its arrival. The segment it will enter has been dominated by the KTM RC 390, which has yet to be dethroned. If that wasn’t hard enough, other competitors such as Kawasaki’s Ninja 400 and the Yamaha R3 are also relatively well renowned and reputed amongst riders. Aprilia knew they had to bring their A-game, and that’s precisely what they’ve done. This sporty and stylish motorcycle aims to combine cutting-edge technology, exhilarating performance, and Italian craftsmanship to deliver an exotic riding experience. We had the lovely opportunity of riding this Italian stallion at Kari Motor Speedway, where we found out if it’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of motorcycles.

Performance & Handling: A beastly engine lies at the heart of the Aprilia RS 457. Equipped with a 457cc twin-cylinder powerplant, this bike offers an exciting experience from the moment you get going. This motor produces the highest torque in its class and eagerly jumps off the line. I stuck to the lowest traction control setting for my track ride and turned off ABS. The RS 457 has three riding modes, which alter the throttle response, and I kept it in Sport mode for my test. The power delivery is immediate, and the motorcycle has quite a sense of urgency. It is a happy machine ridden on one wheel and will gladly pop wheelies off the line. Thanks to the healthy amount of torque, I found myself riding a gear higher than I usually would.