2025 Aprilia Tuono 457: Observations after a day of riding

The engine's versatility shines on the open roads. 100 km/h in sixth gear comes at a relaxed 5,000 rpm and the Tuono 457 can cruise at these speeds all day long

Like most of the motorcycle, the engine is also a straight lift from the RS 457. The 457cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin puts out 47 BHP @ 9,400 rpm and 43.5 Nm @ 6,700 rpm, making it the most powerful and torquiest engine in its class. The only difference here is the shorter final drive, courtesy of one extra tooth on the rear sprocket.

The highlight of the powertrain is its strong low-end performance. Almost 80 percent of the peak torque kicks in at 3,000 rpm and the motor continues to pull cleanly to 9,000 rpm. Thanks to the shorter gearing, the Tuono 457 is quick to shoot off the line. The other advantage of having strong low-end performance is tractability. To test how good it is, I completely rolled off the throttle before a steep hairpin, let speeds go as low as 7-8 km/h in second gear and yet the engine would pull ahead without an ounce of resistance. Out on the open roads, the engine pulls cleanly from as low as 50 km/h in sixth gear. While we didn't get to ride it in city conditions, it is safe to assume that the motorcycle can easily chug around in third gear all day long.

The three riding modes alter the throttle response. Eco mode offers a soft response that is well suited for city conditions and relaxed touring on open roads. Sport mode spices things up with a significantly sharper throttle response. It seems like Aprilia wants you to use this mode the most given the motorcycle starts in Sport mode by default. But, be careful with your throttle input, especially when getting out of corners, or the rush of torque can catch you by surprise. Rain mode is best reserved for when the road conditions are wet.

The engine's versatility shines on the open roads. 100 km/h in sixth gear comes at a relaxed 5,000 rpm and the Tuono 457 can cruise at these speeds all day long. Also, there is more than enough power in reserve to make a quick overtake. The clutch is light to operate and gearshifts are precise for the most part. Given the overall characteristic of the motorcycle, emptying your wallet a little more for the quickshifter wouldn't be a bad idea.

The Tuono 457's engine is rev-friendly, but the motor is happier in the mid-range than it is closer to its 10,500 rpm redline. Redlining the Tuono 457 doesn't feel as rewarding as its Austrian or Japanese rivals.

Refinement & NVH

The Tuono 457 remains smooth and vibe-free throughout its rev range, except near its redline. A slight buzz kicks in through the pegs post 8,500 rpm; nothing that would make it a dealbreaker. The 270-degree crank gives the Aprilia a characterful exhaust note. It sure grabs a lot of attention. That being said, the subtle pops and bangs of the Yamaha MT-03's exhaust sounded more pleasing to my ears. That's just personal preference, though.

Suspension & Handling

The suspension hardware on the Tuono 457 is the same as the RS 457, with 41 mm USD and a mono-shock. Given the upright sitting posture, there is now more weight towards the rear. Hence, the rear suspension of the Tuono 457 gets a slightly softer setup compared to its faired sibling. The suspension travel remains the same with 120 mm and 130 mm travel at the front and back, respectively. Our test route mostly comprised of good quality roads, hence it is difficult to comment on the ride comfort over bad roads.

What I can tell you is that there is no compromise on the handling front. The wider handlebar helps make quick direction changes in corners and the motorcycle remains stable at lean angles. The Tuono 457, just like the RS 457 is forgiving and amateur friendly. At the same time, it can be quite a fun tool in the hands of an experienced rider.

Braking

Braking hardware on the Tuono 457 is supplied by ByBre, Brembo's budget brand, and comprises a 320 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc. The initial bite and stopping power from the brakes is fairly strong. There were multiple reports of the front brake fading on the RS 457 after 3-4 laps at the Kari Motor Speedway during the first rides last year. The issue is difficult to replicate on normal driving roads, and we didn't face any during our time with the motorcycle. However, the overall performance of the brakes is average at best. They could've been better in terms of bite force and progressive feedback.

Closing thoughts

In our brief interaction with the Aprilia Tuono 457, it impressed us on multiple fronts. It is essentially the RS 457 in a more comfortable package; one that can be used for the daily commute, long-distance touring and spirited riding in the hills. The cherry on the top is that it is Rs. 25,000 cheaper than its faired sibling. That being said, its primary competitors boast a strong price advantage, so it's a tough pick in this segment.

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