Divyank Kushagra Bansal 
The much-awaited Aprilia RS 457 made its India debut a few months ago and now it has been launched at the ongoing India Bike Week 2023 at ₹4.10 lakh (ex-showroom). It is an important product for the Piaggio Group company as it is the brand’s first locally-manufactured model in India. It will be made entirely at Aprilia’s Baramati plant in Maharashtra for local sales as well as export. The RS 457 has also become the most powerful made-in-India motorcycle that will take on the likes of the upcoming Yamaha R3, KTM RC 390, and the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
At the heart of the RS 457 lies a 457cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine that produces 47bhp @ 9,400rpm and 43.5Nm @ 6,700rpm. Power is sent via a six-speed gearbox equipped with a wet-plate slipper clutch. It offers a fixed 800mm seat height and a 13-litre fuel tank.
As standard, the RS 457 comes fitted with LED lighting, backlit handlebar controls, dual-channel ABS with anti-roll-over tech (two maps), three ride modes (Eco, Rain, and Sport), adjustable traction control, and metal-braided brake lines. The rider aids and other settings can be managed by a five-inch TFT instrument cluster.
Like the larger RS 660, the Aprilia RS 457 also uses a dual-beam aluminium frame (the only bike in its segment to use an aluminium spine). But at 175kg, the RS 457 is not the lightest bike in its segment. Suspension duties are managed by a 41mm upside-down (USD) fork and a rear monoshock. It is adjustable for preload at both ends. The suspension travel stands at 120mm and 130mm for the front and rear, respectively.
Aprilia is offering ByBre braking hardware on the RS 457, which comprises a single 320mm disc and a four-piston radial calliper at the front and a 220mm disc with a dual-piston calliper at the rear. The bike rides on 110/70-R17 (front) and 150/60-R17 (rear) TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres.
