2024 Aprilia RS 457 First Look

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Pricing and availability have not been announced yet for Aprilia’s 2024 RS 457. (Aprilia/)

The RS 660 represented a pivotal factor in the evolution of the Aprilia motorcycle. Right now, the RS 660 is the bestselling sportbike in Europe, underlining the very fine balance that the bike incorporates in terms of performance, handling, and styling.

From the original fully dressed sportbike, the RS 660 has grown into a range of three models with the addition of the naked Tuono and of the Tuareg adventure bike. All share the same liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve 660cc parallel twin, properly responding to the expectations of a new generation of motorcycle enthusiasts. Riders who were driven away from the extreme world of high-powered superbikes but still want a lean and aggressive styling, a high level of tech, and manageable power.

Starting with data gathered from the RS 660 experience, Piaggio Group made an analysis of the potential that might hide in the crowd of younger riders, who seem to be more interested in their smartphones than in throwing a leg over the seat of a bike. They took all the ingredients that granted the RS 660 its great success and condensed them into a totally new, slim, and compact sportbike displacing 457cc, aimed at lighting the fire in the guts of a generation that has missed out on the pleasure produced by a sportbike.

Aprilia’s RS 457 will be available in the three color schemes. (Aprilia/)

Daring styling, sporty handling, and ample safety margins promise to make the open road an experience to be remembered. Aprilia’s new RS 457 is totally RS, from the aggressively sleek fairing to the aluminum frame to the liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve parallel twin.

Its claimed 47 hp should be more than adequate to propel the very light RS 457 to a good top speed with excellent acceleration. Thanks to a refined execution, the new RS 457 weighs in at 350 pounds dry and 385 pounds ready to go with a full tank.

A 5-inch TFT display and backlit handlebar switch gear give big-bike vibes. (Aprilia/)

The chassis is based on a state-of-the-art—and unique to the class—aluminum twin-spar frame with the compact parallel twin acting as stressed member for maximum rigidity and minimum weight. Suspension is a 41mm fork and cantilevered rear shock absorber—both adjustable in preload. The front wheel travels through 4.7 inches while the steel rear swingarm has 5.1 inches.

The cast aluminum wheels have a very elegant and light design and are shod by 110/70-17 and 150/60-17 radials. A single 320mm rotor teamed to a radially mounted four-piston caliper, by Brembo, does the front braking duty. At the rear a 220mm rotor is teamed to a floating two-piston caliper. The braking system is controlled by a twin-channel ABS system with two settings: both ends on and front brake only.

Maverick Viñales helped unveil the bike on the Thursday evening before the Misano round of MotoGP. (Aprilia/)

The electronics suite includes a ride-by-wire throttle that offers three riding modes and within that system there are three levels of traction control. A quickshifer is available as an accessory. The instrumentation uses a 5-inch TFT color screen while the entire lighting system is based on LED technology.

Thanks to the engine power limited to 47 hp, the RS 457 can be legally ridden by beginners in Europe and is a sweet spot with enough power to thrill without being overwhelming. This quality should attract more youngsters especially from the vast reserve of enthusiasts in relatively new markets around the world. The great look and sporty allure should light the fire together with a solid overall quality and excellent finishing. Aprilia’s racing image, especially WorldSBK and now in MotoGP, should also attract a new throng of buyers. The RS 457 very appropriately fills an empty spot at the bottom of the lineup, and we look forward to a full on-road and track test in the future.

Smaller-displacement bikes have become an important piece of the lineup for manufacturers, and Aprili’s RS 457 has the potential to once again redefine the Italian brand’s sales success. (Aprilia/)

Pricing, specifications, and on-sale date have not been announced.

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