Test rode the Aprilia RS457: My initial impressions after a short ride

I saw the bike so closely for the first time and it is a beauty. It looked super compact to me and feels like it will wrap around you.

BHPian abhi_tjet recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

My rendezvous with Aprilia RS457

I happened to visit Baner recently(twice) and grabbed the opportunity to check out the RS457.

The showroom is hardly 5km from my place but the metro work made sure that I do not dare venture that side. This end of calendar year holiday season helped me to muster courage and pay them a visit.

Observations

I saw the bike so closely for the first time and it is a beauty. It looked super compact to me and feels like it will wrap around you. It’s light and very approachable with the low perch helping a lot. Even the pillion seat is quite friendly.

It’s still my dream to own a multi cylinder faired bike with clip-ons! I loved the riding posture. I had the clip-ons fitted on my Adreno-FX and that was my first and last hurrah(I am not counting the P180 clip-ons).

The screen is nice and would not look out of place in even my Multistrada. Riding mode adjustment is pretty straightforward with a dedicated button.

Test ride -
I squeezed a quick test ride on my second visit which was for quite a small duration and distance. I suppose, it lasted around a km and half at max! In this test ride , I took a couple of u turn and found the bike surprisingly nimble in that aspect. Suspension felt plush but the road didn’t had any major potholes.

Engine is responsive and power delivery is linear. The sound is just right and I am quite neutral to that. I have no idea about top end and high speed behaviour since I wasn’t able to test that. I suppose, it will be good tool to flick around in city. The sporty position thanks to clip-ons and a high set foot peg will make every ride special.

The key won’t look out of place in a Godrej lock

The gear console

What’s with the empty space where the swingarm starts?

The beautiful clipons. Compare this with the one on newer Daytonas

The tyre looks more like 140 section. I would have preferred 120 front/160 rear. But hey, at least replacement costs will be in check .

On-road price is ₹4.95L and it still doesn’t comes with extended warranty. Standard warranty is 3 years and delivery can be done in flat 3-4 days after booking.

Ride safe guys!

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