Interesting-looking Aprilia you got there.
It sure is. This is the Aprilia RS 457, Motociclista Scatola’s (MSI) newest addition to the local Aprilia lineup. It’s an impressive entry-level sportbike that’s got both the looks and power to boot. It’s got aggressive styling and looks like it belongs in the stable.
Entry-level Aprilia, you say? Not something you see often.
It’s really not. Apart from its small scooter, the SR GT 200, the brand has been known more for its bigger and more powerful offerings like the Tuono 660, the Tuareg, and the RSV4. This part of the segment is new for Aprilia and MSI. You can say it’s a gamble to try and compete in the entry-level segment, but I think they’re onto something here.
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How is the Aprilia RS 457 like on the road, then?
I never thought I’d say this but...it’s so much fun on the road. It’s everything you’d expect from a sportbike. It’s very nimble and easy to fling around. It’s very sharp through corners, too. Frankly, though, I wish I had more time to take the bike through proper twisties—it was pouring too hard to ride much during the days I had the Aprilia RS 457.
But despite that, I was still able to play around with it and fiddle with the tech. The ride modes in particular were a personal favorite. In the bike’s default setting, the 457cc liquid-cooled, four-valve, parallel-twin feels lively and very responsive. When you switch to Sport mode, it’s as if you’re making full use of all 47.6 horses and 43.5Nm of torque.
The Aprilia RS 457 has different ride modes, huh? Do tell.
That’s right. The bike features Aprilia’s MotoGP-derived ride-by-wire system, and it enables users to choose among three different ride modes. For even more customization, you can also adjust the bike’s power, torque, and traction control to your liking.
How’s the ride comfort, though?
Like I said, it’s everything you expect in a sportbike—that also goes the same for ride comfort. It can be tiring to ride, especially for a guy like me with a big belly. The ride is a bit on the stiffer side, too, but that’s to be expected.
Let’s not even talk about the pillion seat—it’s soft, but it’s narrow and looks like it won’t provide enough cushioning for the backride. The seat position for the pillion is also pretty awkward, too, just like in any other sportbike.
Perhaps if you’re young with a good enough back, this might be an okay bike for long rides. But for an overweight tito like me, this will probably only be fun during the first hour of riding, nothing more.
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What else does the Aprilia RS 457 have to offer?
Hmm. There’s quite a bit, actually. It has a five-inch TFT display where you get all the information you need. If you’re out for, say, a day at the track, you can use the built-in lap timer which is pretty cool. It might need some practice using it while on the go, but all the controls are on the handlebar so it should be easy once you get a hang of it.
The Aprilia RS 457 also has mobile-phone connectivity, though I wasn’t able to take a deep dive into that. And in case it needs mentioning, the bike also comes with ABS and traction control.
So...how much is it?
In case you still missed it despite our repeated reports...the Aprilia RS 457 starts at P348,000. You can choose to accessorize it further with some bits and bobs like a quickshifter, for example, but that’s the base price you’re looking at.
That’s pretty darn affordable.
It sure is. That’s what makes all this so darn impressive. I know for a fact that the market has taken notice. Best believe rivaling brands like Kawasaki, Honda, and CFMoto—those with models in this segment and price point—will be keeping an eye out for this one.
It might be Aprilia’s first foray into this part of the motorcycle market, but suffice to say the brand’s is off to a good start with a product as competitive as this. I won’t be surprised if we start seeing more and more of these on the road over the next year or so.
More photos of the Aprilia RS 457 2024:
