[Ripcord09]

Aprilia RS 457

What you'll like:

• Mini-superbike looks with spot-on proportions and exciting colour schemes that grab attention
• Powerful 457cc twin-cylinder motor that produces a segment-best 47 BHP & 43.5 Nm is effortlessly fast and has a wide torque band with good rideability
• Easy-going nature with sport touring ergonomics, light clutch and positive gearshifts
• Excellent handling with a communicative and forgiving chassis, well-tuned and adjustable suspension setup and grippy tyres
• Touring potential with a 13L fuel tank, optional high windscreen, optional USB charging and provisions for strapping luggage
• Exudes quality - excellent paint finish, best-in-class 5" colour TFT instrumentation, aluminium dual-beam chassis and triple clamp upper plate, etc.
• Made in India. Pricing has been well-received and undercuts equivalent twin-cylinder rivals significantly

What you won't:

• Looks can be polarizing for a mature customer. No hint of subtlety with either the design or colour schemes
• Lacks the top-end rush of some rivals. Torque band is very wide and useable, but drops closer to redline
• Brakes could have better initial bite. Rear brake especially feels spongy, at least for track usage
• Lack of IMU/Cornering ABS. Few good-to-have features like USB charging, bi-directional quickshifter, TPMS, adjustable clutch and brake levers, etc. are offered only as accessories
• Aprilia's tiny dealer and service network is a concern

Review Link

KTM RC390

Launch Discussion

Kawasaki Ninja 400

Launch Discussion

Yamaha R3

Review Link

TVS Apache RR310

Ownership Review Link

BMW G310 RR

Launch Discussion

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[hikozaru]

Was the ground clearance for the RS457 published anywhere?

[VW2010]

The best bike would be the Ninja 400 at RC390 price. Now we know that is not happening so as a proper chapri bike owner I am choosing RC390. The smiles it gives every time you ride it are so infectious that I am never selling my RC390. The parts are cheap and getting the bike up and running even after a fall is not heavy on pocket and its a rocket. I have the shortest sprocket and it jumps at every opportunity. Love my RC390

[AtheK]

Nice comparison thread, but completely moot without getting a chance to ride the RS457. On paper RS457 is clear winner and maybe in reality also, but would be good to test ride and see what works the best for you.

The single cylinder bikes would be vibey compared to likes of R3, Ninja 400 and RS457 so probably a good compariosn will be to keep it between the twins and maximum throw the RC390 in the mix.

[vattyboy]

Voted for Others

RE 650 twins

Yes, this is a 650cc bike but the price is quite similar to the other bikes mentioned.

This 650cc engine is a gem, have a sweet whistle-like exhaust note and it is so smooth to ride.

I own an RR310 but if I am in the market today then I will buy RE 650 twins even when I am happy with my RR 310, as my age is going up my taste in bikes is changing.

[surjaonwheelz]

Voted for the Aprilia RS457

Heart says Aprilia RS457 but at the moment, a lot is grey for the RS, sales and service mainly!

Without the RS the Ninja 400 was the choice, a great bike but never value for money. A Ninja 650 pre-owned might make a better value statement. But with the new Ninja 500 in the horizon, which is a 452cc, this seems confusing! Go for pre-owned Ninja400.

R3 too late, too costly and under specced! Skip it.

If taking it to the track is the objective then a RC390 can be a good choice. Again the 2024 RC390 is not given the new 399cc mill from the 2024 Duke 390. It's a good year away so a pre-owned RC makes sense here too!

This is a confusing segment.

[antz.bin]

This is really a 2-horse race.

The RC390 at 3.2 lakh rupees is an excellent excellent bike. I was *this* close to getting one for myself when I got the Triumph.
Great handling, fast AF, so much value available to unlock in the used market. Truly great bike.
It will be even better once the Duke's 399cc engine comes to this eventually, addressing it's minor horsepower disadvantage.

On the other end, the Aprilia RS457 at 4.2 lakh offers a different flavour of sports bike that is different enough that the premium of 1 lakh could be justified. It's offering more than just the twin cylinder engine. The electronics package, the weight, the adjustable suspension, maybe the remap potential offered by the larger twin engine and the Italian flair all add value of their own.

The remaining motorcycles are either too under-equipped and still too pricey (Kawasaki and Yamaha) or not in the same ballpark as far as the horsepower is concerned (TVS / BMW twins) to pose a challenge to the leading pack.

There is also the Kawasaki Ninja 300 that is currently available in the market but India is literally the only place that thing is still being sold. Its value proposition is not too different from the Yamaha R3 but for 1.2 lakh less weakening the Yamaha's case further.

What this also shows is that the Japanese are losing the plot, at least in this segment and the Europeans (with some help from India) have products that can outgun them anywhere in the world. It's time they pull up their socks or lose the market to their European competitors.

[Manualpurist]

Why the Ninja 300 is nowhere to be seen? As of now it's still on sale but the lack of features make it less apealing.

[nbk.0707]

Voted for Others

Svartpilen 401



Given the inevitable mid-life crisis and a decade with the CBR250RAB, opting for the Svartpilen 401.

Reasons:
1. A KTM in a mature appearance.
2. Accessible After Sales Service Network.
3. The pillion seat is suitable for the better half.