Meet the 2024 Aprilia RS 457. “What’s that?” you ask. Well, it’s Aprilia’s entry into the competitive lightweight sportbike class, capturing the hearts and minds of new riders by wearing the brand’s proven performance mindset and racing pedigree on its sleeve. That’s good news for those looking to cut their teeth on a sport machine or return to the riding fold, as the Noale-based brand’s newest RS-family member not only pulls direct inspiration from but also serves as the all-important step toward the impressive middleweight RS 660 and RSV4 superbikes.
Here’s the rub: The RS 457 is an all-new fully faired sport machine powered by a lively parallel-twin engine, boasting class-leading chassis design and rider aids that the marque hopes will put its competition on notice. That’s quite a bit to take in at the base $6799 MSRP, partially achieved by manufacturing the motorcycle in India.
Consider our attention piqued, but the question remains: Is the Italian firm serving a spicy meatball or limp linguini? To find out, we grabbed a set of leathers and headed off to the tight and technical 1.3-mile Autodromo di Modena about 30 miles northwest of Bologna to see what the littlest Ape is all about. Now, let’s get to the Fast Facts.
- The 457cc DOHC 4-valve parallel-twin aims to win. Aprilia’s firecracker of a mill delivers its engaging 48 horsepower at 9400 rpm and 32 ft-lbs of torque at 6700 rpm, displaying thorough on-brand sporting spirit. The fiery 270-degree crank—also employed in the RS 660—spools up urgently, imbuing the littlest RS with a lively attitude and exhaust note that riders from across the skill spectrum can sink their teeth into while chasing its ample rev range to the 10,700 rpm redline with ear-to-ear grins. Part of its commanding feeling is due to its broad powerband—82 percent of peak torque available at an easily accessible 3000 rpm. With palpable low-down and midrange grunt on tap, leaping from Modena’s technical apexes can be done even when carrying a gear too tall, speaking to user-friendliness that should perform just as well on the street as on the track.
- Top marks go to the gearbox. Tight, smooth shifts are part of the 2024 Aprilia RS 457. It isn’t uncommon to tap dance on the shift lever to keep it in the powerband when riding bikes in this class, though the abundant torque eases that trait. What is worth the investment is the well-tuned accessory up/down quickshifter ($399), which aids in breezing through the gears, as it’s an option particularly suited for aggressive riding.
- A competitive suite of electronics joins the lightweight ranks. The attractive five-inch TFT display has more than a few premium features in its menus, starting with three ride modes—Sport, Eco, and Rain—flanked rider aids such as three-level traction control and two-level ABS (standard and front-only). Given that this is the same Magnetti Marelli 11MP ECU found on its bigger siblings, we shouldn’t be surprised by the well-calibrated ride-by-wire throttle. All three maps offer full power, but get there a little differently. Sport provides an appropriately snappy response for the track, while Eco could take the edge off for total newbies or be suitable for urban riding. Rain mode further softens the throttle.
- Performance-focused lightweights are raising the bar concerning rider aids. Along with the KTM RC 390 and CFMoto 450 SR, the 2024 Aprilia RS 457 is one of the bikes shifting the conversation by providing adjustable traction control and ABS modes to entry-level offerings. Although we’re not dealing with an IMU-supported system, engineers have tuned the aids nicely, even when viewed through an experienced rider’s lens. Standard ABS has its place firmly on the road, while the track setting is more than open to dropping anchor at speedier paces with faint hints of intrusion—nothing that truly gets in the way. Meanwhile, the only-the-fly adjustable TC follows the same logic by only interjecting when needed in its lowest settings.
- The frame is no imposter—get ready for proper sportbike handling. In a class rife with flexy tubular steel frames that sap confidence and wallow when pushed, the RS 457 delivers “big bike” sensations, sparking memories of the RS 660 or RSV4. Its secret weapon is the lightweight twin-spar aluminum frame. The p-twin is a stressed member and features an engine-mounted swingarm, all of which net superior chassis rigidity over most of the competition (the RC 390 steel trellis frame is no slouch, either).
- The 2024 Aprilia RS 457 has the corner speed formula down pat. The front-end fosters trust while deftly diving toward apexes, feels secure mid-corner, and hooks up on exit. Meanwhile, the RS’s sheer agility, thanks to its light 386-pound curb weight, sporty 24.1 degrees of rake, and compact 53.2-inch wheelbase, make mincemeat of Modena’s many tricky transitions. New, old, or returning riders will be in good hands when they toss this thing on the edge of the tire.
- Spring-preload adjustable suspension is part of the program. The chassis design deserves a big hat tip, but we must also acknowledge the 41mm inverted fork and monoshock. Unlike many offerings in this segment that prioritize soft setups and compliance, Aprilia is once again pointing to its handling know-how by gifting the RS with sturdier springs and damping than we’d typically see used here—though by no means is it overly stiff and communicates feedback incredibly well. A good balance is being struck that resonates with riders from across many skill levels, with a fork that won’t wilt under hard braking and a shock that follows the same example.
- TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tires are standard, but we used Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SP rubber for the track. Engineers tapped Indian manufacturer TVS Eurogrip for its stock rubber aimed at street riding. We always want more grip on the track, so Pirelli’s Supercorsa tires were slapped on the 17-inch wheels and stuck like glue during our test.
- ByBre brakes join the fold. In the front, we have a radial-mounted four-piston ByBre caliper, clamping onto a sizable 320mm rotor with an axial master cylinder doing the heavy lifting. Given the engine performance levels we’re dealing with, a single-disc setup is more than adequate and doesn’t have the same gyroscopic penalties as dual-rotor systems—crucial on lightweight machines. There’s too much initial sweep in the lever before engagement, though the steel-braided lines improve feel over rubber hoses. Importantly, the bite won’t catch newcomers out when they find their footing; we opted for accessory “race” pads for additional stopping power at Modena. The 2024 Aprilia RS 457 is built to a high standard, and while the budget master cylinder fits the bill, it’s the only sore spot in its overall potency. Those looking to hit track days or start racing can easily swap it out.
- Sport casual describes the riding position. The design brief cited a middle ground between the Kawasaki Ninja 400’s sit-up-and-beg rider triangle and the conventionally aggressive KTM RC 390. To achieve that, clip-on style riser handlebars mount to the top yoke, propping us up and reducing weight on the wrists. This affords plenty of room to get aggressive at the track and will not become taxing on the street. Looking at our lower half, the impressively svelte RS pairs nicely with its 31.5-inch seat height, making it appealing to riders with shorter inseams. Meanwhile, the rearsets encourage a comfortable narrative without sacrificing cornering clearance. Front-to-back movement in the saddle is limited, though on par with compact bikes in the segment, and designers wisely carved out a notch in the 3.4-gallon fuel tank to help adult-sized pilots tuck their heads behind the bubble.
- The thoroughbred appearance is not a mistake, friends. It’s no secret that brands seek homogeneity within any product line, and the RS 457 takes quite a few pages out of the playbooks of its siblings, from the general design down to the LED lighting. Extra considerations are made for a feature specific to the little Ape—vents in the side panels redirect warm air from the engine down and away from the rider. Speaking of styling, Opalescent Light and Prismatic Dark are the base color options, whereas the Aprilia RS-GP Racing Stripe livery shown here is a $200 upcharge.
- Want some real performance out of a lightweight sportbike? Look no further than the 2024 Aprilia RS 457. Aprilia’s latest sport machine addresses the entry-level segment the only way it knows how—taking what it learns at the track and applying it directly to its production bikes, even those aimed at new riders. The RS 457 isn’t too hard-edged; it simply evokes those feelings and provides an excellent foundation to build their skills no matter where they are in their careers. The premium features, such as electronic rider aids, LED lights, mature styling, and quality fit-and-finish, are net positives. But that is not what gets me fired up: There is a touch of magic in the 457cc parallel-twin engine and its aluminum twin-spar chassis, making this an absolute blast to ride. And the verdict? Spicy, spicy, indeed.
Location photography by Alberto Cervetti, Gigi Soldano, and Marco Zamponi
RIDING STYLE
2024 Aprilia RS 457 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Parallel twin
- Displacement: 457cc
- Bore x stroke: 69 x 61.1mm
- Maximum power: 48 horsepower @ 9400 rpm
- Maximum torque: 32 ft-lbs @ 6700 rpm
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Fueling: EFI w/ two ride-by-wire 36mm throttle bodies
- Valvetrain: DOHC; 4vpc
- Transmission: 6-speed (quickshifter optional)
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slip functions
- Final drive: Regina 520 chain
CHASSIS
- Frame: Twin-spar aluminum
- Front suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable inverted 41mm fork; 4.7 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable shock; 5.1 inches
- Wheel: Cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 17 x 3.00
- Rear wheel: 17. X 4.50
- Tires: TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme (Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SP tested)
- Front tire: 110/70 x 17
- Rear tire: 150/60 x 17
- Front brake: 320mm disc w/ radially mounted ByBre 4-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 220mm disc w/ Brembo 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 53.2 inches
- Rake: 24.1 degrees
- Seat height: 31.5 inches
- Fuel capacity: 3.4 gallons
- Curb weight: 386 pounds
- Colors: Prismatic Dark; Racing Stripes; Opalescent Light
2024 Aprilia RS 457 Price: $6799 MSRP
2024 Aprilia RS 457 Review Photo Gallery
