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On the eve of Misano MotoGP weekend, Aprilia unveiled the newest addition to the RS family — the RS 457.
Renderings and speculation have been swirling on the internet about the lightweight sibling and finally the curtain has been pulled back on the production-ready model. Aprilia has a lot of ambition for this all-new motorcycle. It represents a significant opportunity in many markets and an Aprilia spokesperson stated that its arrival will make the Italian maker "a truly global brand."
What is the Aprilia RS 457?
The RS 457 is the latest lightweight addition to Aprilia's sport lineup, slotting in behind the middleweight RS 660 and the flagship RSV4. It is powered by an all-new engine platform from the Italian maker. A 457 cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin-cylinder engine, with double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, to be exact. Aprilia claims it makes 47 horsepower and torque figures are yet to be announced.
The new engine is housed in a "stiff aluminum frame" with the crankcase serving as a stressed member of the chassis (like its older brother, the RS 660), according to Aprilia. The RS 457 is also styled aggressively, like its race-replica brethren, with LED lighting, sharp bodywork lines, and winglet accenting.
Looking at the suspension, the new bike is outfitted with a 41 mm fork and a rear monoshock that are both fully adjustable. The RS 457 is equipped with a single 320 mm front disc with a ByBre radial-mount four-piston caliper and 220 mm single disc at the rear. Both have ABS.
Aprilia brings cutting-edge technology to the lightweight sport class with three different ride modes enabled by the ride-by-wire throttle. The three modes are Rain, Eco, and Sport, and an Aprilia spokesperson shared that each mode modulates traction control and power delivery, but leaves peak horsepower in place. A five-inch TFT color display and handlebar cluster jogs through the electronic menus with ease.
What the RS 457 means
The RS 457 will undoubtedly shake up the lightweight sport bike scene. It is a handsome-looking motorcycle that faithfully captures the exotic good looks of the RS line. Adjustable suspension, ride modes, a performance-driven chassis, and the cachet of "European hauteness" elevate the RS 457 above the competition. The attention to detail in the shapely swingarm, sleek two-in-one exhaust, and the fancy TFT dash, all suggest a premium motorcycle that is uncommon in the 400-to-500 cc category. Aprilia wants a piece of this "entry-level" market, but is clearly not willing to compromise on the brand's image to do so.
That may mean a compromise elsewhere. If Aprilia won't budge on its quality, then surely this cost will be passed on to the customer. In a market where the cheapest price often wins, it will be an interesting experiment to see how the RS 457 performs in sales. Aprilia was tight-lipped about MSRP at the unveiling, though they were cajoled into a potential price range. A spokesperson said the intended price point will fall somewhere between $6,500 and $7,500 in the U.S. market. That is a wide range for such a price-conscious group of buyers, and already $1,000 above the popular and well established Kawasaki Ninja 400. Will buyers in the lightweight sport bike category be willing to pay up for the additional features the RS 457 brings to the class?
The RS 457 also plays different roles in the various global markets. European markets seem keen on the 457 cc bike as it will fit neatly into most tiered licensing systems, where its 47 horsepower and light weight will make it one of the most appealing performance packages for riders with an A2 license. The emerging Asian markets are also poised to eat up the new snack-sized Aprilia, where it will be a premium model. The U.S. market, without license restrictions, is another question. Riders may gravitate toward the larger and faster RS 660, but that bike starts at $11,499. Here, the RS 457 may be more about providing a more accessible entry into the Aprilia line.
Speculations
I think it's a bold move on Aprilia's part to enter a category meant to be "cheap" with so much panache. Perhaps it is a sign of how much the lightweight segment has matured. Sport riders used to lust after marques like Ducati or Aprilia, hoping one day their skills and wallet would grow to the point that those machines would become attainable. It would now appear that the wait is non-existent. Newer riders can satiate the urge for an Italian sport bike much sooner.
As an Aprilia spokesperson explained to me at the debut, the company is going on a "full product offensive to win over a new generation of enthusiasts." Encouraged by the success of the RS, Tuono, and Tuareg 660 models, Aprilia now sets its sights on new riders and global expansion.
There is only one thing standing in its way — finding out if the RS 457 performs as good as it looks.
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