Aprilia revealed the RS 457 supersport on September 8 at the company's headquarters in Italy. They now have confirmed that the new compact supersport will make its debut on September 20 in India. As the RS 457 is manufactured in India, the Italian manufacturer is expected to offer an attractive price tag to ward off its competition – the Kawasaki Ninja 400. However, the Aprilia RS 457 will be dearer in comparison to the KTM RC 390 (44bhp and 37Nm), which currently retails at a starting price of Rs 3.18 lakh (ex-showroom). So, it would be fascinating to see how Piaggio India set the pricing for their latest product since they have consistently positioned itself as a luxury brand. Also, it was once anticipated that the bike would be designated the RS 440; nevertheless, Aprilia has named it the RS 457. This superbike, which has roots in Aprilia Racing's storied history, gets an advanced liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine with a 270-degree crank and double camshaft timing. Power output stands at 48bhp. On offer is a 6-speed gearbox, which is expected to be accompanied by a slip-and-assist clutch as standard.
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Aprilia RS 457: Hardware
The India-bound Aprilia RS 457 features an aluminium perimeter frame, which is suspended with the help of a 41mm upside-down front fork with 120mm of travel and a rear mono-shock with 130mm of travel, both of which are preload adjustable. The braking hardware consists of a 320mm front disc and a 220mm rear steel disc with ByBre components. For additional safety, a dual-channel ABS system is offered. The RS 457 rides on 17-inch sports wheels wrapped in high-performance 110/60 front and 150/60 rear tyres. The Aprilia RS 457's dry weight of 159 kilograms (or 175kg weight when fully fuelled) makes a power-to-weight ratio superior to that of its competitors.
Aprilia RS 457: Features, Electronic Aids
On the feature front, the RS 457 offers a 5.0-inch TFT display, a ride-by-wire system with three riding modes, and backlit switchgear. There are also three traction control settings available to riders, which can be turned off entirely. Upon launch, a quickshifter will also be offered, but as an accessory.
Aprilia RS 457: Design
Design-wise, the production-spec RS 457 draws inspiration from the larger, middleweight RS 660. The RS 457 has a triple-LED headlamp with built-in LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and turn signals. The positioning of clip-on handlebars above the fork clamp is speculated to result in a sporty riding position. Besides, the motorcycle bears crisp sharp cuts and edges on its body, adding to its aggressive appearance. The signature double front fairing, underbelly silencer, and streamlined 2-in-1 exhaust system on the bike are other design highlights.
The Aprilia RS 457 is designed and developed at the company's headquarters in Noale, Italy, with the Indian team providing developmental inputs. The Aprilia RS 457 will roll out from Piaggo's plant in Baramati, Maharashtra.
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