Aprilia RS 457: My thoughts after checking out the display bike

Whoever came up with the idea of putting 2 bikes on display in a popular mall in Bangalore, should get a bonus and a promotion!

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

A couple of TBHPians and I had the chance to check out the new Aprilia RS 457, which was on display in Forum Mall, Koramangala. A few thoughts

• Whoever came up with the idea of putting 2 bikes on display in a popular mall in Bangalore, should get a bonus and a promotion! The 2 motorcycles garnered a LOT of attention, even on a weekday, when the crowd is a fraction of what it is on the weekends. It wasn't only motorcycle enthusiasts who came to check out the RS 457 bikes. Young women, parents with young kids, and older gentlemen were all enquiring about the bikes and collecting details from the representatives.
• Given Aprilia's size (or lack of it) and reputation, I had tempered my expectations on the RS 457. At first glance though, the bikes just blow you away. This looks and feels like a properly premium motorcycle. You have to look really closely and really hard, to find some areas where the fit and finish could have been a tad better. More than 90% of enthusiasts won't find these, even if they were examining the bikes with a critical eye.
• I had fallen head over heels in love with the Opalescent Light scheme when the bike was first unveiled. After seeing the Prismatic Dark and Racing Stripes paint schemes, I am thoroughly smitten by the MotoGP-inspired Racing Stripes option. Honestly, you really can't go wrong with any of these colour schemes.
• The rider's ergonomics are very comfortable. You can move your bottom around the spacious seat quite easily. This has all the makings of the de facto sports tourer for discerning enthusiasts.
• The sculpted tank gives it a middleweight motorcycle vibe, in the best possible way.
• There is a suggestion of top-heaviness when moving the motorcycle. A test ride will let us know more.
• Something tells me that the quality levels are a bit better than the bikes that were shown to the media folks.
• The on-road price is expected to be Rs 5.38 L (as far as I can recall). Test rides should start on the 10th of March.
• Overall, it feels like the agonizingly long wait for the RS 457 has been well worth it. From the media reviews and my first impressions, it looks as though Aprilia's big gamble is going to pay off for them.

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