FEATURE - 2024 Aprilia RS 457

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Aprilia/PS Importers

Is there room in the LAMS market for another sportsbike? Aprilia thinks so, having just launched their RS 457 in Australia. Announced last year and previewed a few months back, the RS 457 is a premium product for the learner rider - and priced accordingly - but it justifies its pricing with a lot of features for the money.

Aprilia say the RS 457 has been created for a new, younger generation of riders, hence the LAMS eligibility. The new model just scrapes into being learner legal, though, as its 457cc parallel twin delivers 35kW in a machine weighing just 175kg wet (159kg dry).

Carrying the ‘RS’ name – as seen on the RSV4 and RS 660 – means the RS 457 has a lineage to maintain. That includes the RS 660’s mantle as Europe’s best selling sportsbike. Early reports suggest the RS 457 honours that heritage of performance, while still being usable as a daily ride.

“In recent years, the Aprilia brand has seen an intense burst of renewal, supported by continued progress in the racing world,” says Michele Colaninno, CEO of Piaggio Group (Aprilia's parent company).

“The recent introduction of the 660 family, with RS and Tuono first and Tuareg later, has expanded its target, creating a full and competitive range. We are now ready to take another step towards the future with an astonishing bike developed entirely in Noale, capable of stimulating and thrilling young people and opening up huge potential in new markets, near and far.

“[The RS 457] is a step closer to the globalisation of a brand that has always had the perfect combination of technology, fun, and looking to the future in its DNA.”

While the RS 457 was developed at Aprilia HQ in Noale, Italy, it’s built in India. The giveaways are the ‘ByBre’ license-built Brembo braking componentry and Eurogrip tyres; Indian brands seen on other motorcycles from the subcontinent.

Regardless of its place of manufacture, the Aprilia name means the RS 457 is built to a standard, not a price. A lot of equipment is built in as standard, too, like adjustable traction control, adjustable suspension, adjustable ABS and three riding modes. There are also touches seen on bigger and more expensive bikes, like backlit switchgear and a full-colour TFT instrument display.

In the Beginning…

While the RS 457 carries the style and ethos of the RS 660, that’s about all it shares with its larger sibling. According to Aprilia, the RS 457 started as a completely new project, not a downsized or de-stroked 660. They add that the engine, frame and most of the rider tech was developed exclusively for the new model.

It should be noted that Aprilia already offer the RS 660 LAMS, but at $22,500, it’s out of reach for all but the most well-heeled learner rider. The RS 457 undercuts that pricing significantly, but more on that later.

The Noale manufacturer suggests a “dual purpose” for the new arrival, as a machine to learn the basics on, as well as more advanced riding skills. More specifically, Aprilia sees the RS 457 as a bike that will accompany riders as they progress on road and track,

“The Aprilia RS 457 speaks the language of younger riders, of people who want to start riding faired bikes, exploiting all of the company's expertise to design and build a true sportsbike.”

457 Power

As the ‘457’ part of the name makes clear, the new Aprilia is powered by a 457cc engine, which in terms of capacity alone, elevates it above rivals like the CFMoto 450SR (450cc) and Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 (451cc). The liquid-cooled parallel twin produces 35kW at 9,400rpm - the maximum for LAMS legality - and slightly more than the aforementioned rivals. Peak torque is 43.5Nm at 6,700rpm. 

JUST BIKES has yet to ride the RS 457, but road tests conducted overseas have praised the bike's torque as much as its power. There’s lots of getaway ‘oomph’ from traffic lights and good midrange for extended highway riding, too. The engine is said to also be very usable at low speeds and doesn’t need the throttle pinned to deliver any sort of forward momentum.

That throttle is a ride-by-wire type, while three selectable riding modes – Eco, Sport and Rain – adjust the response to suit.

The transmission is a six-speed with a slip/assist clutch as standard, and while an up-down quickshifter is available, it’s an extra-cost option.

Low Weight, High Spec

Part of the reason behind the RS 457’s impressive performance figures is the use of lightweight componentry wherever possible. The dual-beam frame is aluminium, as are the 17-inch wheels, while the engine not only serves as a stressed member of the chassis, but also the attachment point for things like the swingarm.

Rarely seen on a bike in this class is suspension that’s adjustable for preload front and rear. The 41mm USD front end offers 120mm of travel and the monoshock rear offers 130mm, which is decent for a sportsbike and suits commuting on poorer quality roads.

Without testing the RS 457 ourselves, we can’t speak on the quality of the handling delivered by the suspension and steering geometry, but published reports have found no fault and say it’s in line with what one would expect from an Aprilia. That being said, those same testers advise fitting stickier rubber than the OEM Eurogrip Protorq Extreme for track days. While the Eurogrip is a fine and long-lasting road tyre, it isn’t ideal for exploring all the RS 457’s capabilities on a track.

Brake lines are quality braided units and the aforementioned ByBre calipers are of four-piston front and single-piston rear type, gripping a 320mm and 220mm disc, respectively. A single front disc on such a sporting model seems an anomaly, but Aprilia explain it was a deliberate choice, to reduce gyroscopic movement of the front wheel, thus increasing speed and agility when changing direction. There’s also the benefit of reduced weight with a single front disc. Smaller and less powerful machines have been released here with twin front discs, but that’s just one of the quirks of our LAMS market. Another oddity, at least for a sportsbike, is the switchable ABS, which can be selected to operate on both wheels or just the front.

More Tech

The RS 457 also comes with traction control as standard. This works with the riding modes, can be disengaged and is adjustable for three levels of intervention - an Aprilia exclusive in this class.

LAMS riders will appreciate the peace of mind that comes with this and the ABS safety tech, as well as the ability to reduce its intervention when their skill levels increase. It should be noted that neither the ABS or traction control is lean-angle sensitive, but adding this would add to the cost, and remember, we are talking about a LAMS bike.

Lighting is entirely LED, with the headlight’s central eye forming a funky ‘V’ that enhances the RS 457’s aggressive looks.

The final piece of the RS 457’s tech package is a 5-inch TFT instrument display. This colour screen is said to be easy to read and adjustable using the left-hand switchgear. Based on the image provided, the screen prioritises speed, gear position and riding mode, with smaller displays for things like fuel level, engine temp, ambient temp, odometer, clock and so on. A small cluster of warning lights are positioned to the left of this screen.     

All that Style

Just as any new Aprilia RS has a performance heritage to uphold, it also has an image to maintain. For the RS 457, the Aprilia Design Centre worked with Aprilia Racing to combine functionality with style. As such, much of the fairing was created to work aerodynamically, reducing the impact of wind on the rider at high speeds, while also being “beautiful”.  Elements of the RSV4 and RS 660 are obvious in the RS 457’s styling, but Aprilia have added some RS-GP aesthetic in there, too.

The tail is slim and tapered, contributing to the aggressive, ‘ready to pounce’ look.

The cross-section is narrow, suiting smaller riders, and while the bars are clip-ons, they’re level with the top of the forks, so riding position is somewhat commuter friendly. Seat height is 800mm and the seat itself is said to be well-padded and comfortable.

Three colour options for the RS 457 are being offered locally – Prismatic Dark, Opalescent Light and a (Racing) Replica that’s identified by bold orange stripes on the fairing and different treatments for the fuel tank, tail and wheels. The Replica carries a small price premium over the other two options.

A Big Outlay

As it’s only just landed in Australia, it's too early to tell how the RS 457 has been received by the local market. Introductory pricing is $12,540 rideaway for the Prismatic Dark and Opalescent Light colour options, while the Replica has a $12,940 rideaway price tag.

While the quality and performance of the RS 457 can’t be denied (and is a big part of its appeal), the challenge for Aprilia will be convincing LAMS riders to spend more than $12,000 on their first motorcycle, especially when rivals are priced under $10,000 – and in the case of the CFMoto, less than $8,500. Yes, you get features and tech on the RS 457 that aren’t available on its competitors. And yes, it’s significantly cheaper than the RS 660 LAMS, but $12K is still a big wedge for any young rider. Add in optional extras, like the quickshifter, adjustable levers, pillion pegs, USB charge port, tyre pressure monitoring and a taller windscreen, and the price gets even higher.

While it’s early days for the RS 457 in the Aussie market, I can see more buyers coming to this model if Jorge Martin takes MotoGP’s #1 plate to Aprilia Racing next year and starts lighting things up in 2025. The old ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’ mantra may be just what the RS 457 needs!