Aprilia RS 457 2025 Review

Not content with the sales success of the rowdy RS 660, Aprilia has gone and created a new entry-level parallel-twin to gobble up even more of the small-capacity market. While the RS 660 impressed us mightily, the one mozzie in the mayonnaise is its relatively high asking price for an entry-level machine. Plus, buying the electronically limited LAMS RS 660 is a bit like ordering a double gelati but only getting to eat the top scoop. The 457 addresses this gap in Aprilia’s learner-legal range, but is this a lightweight warrior worthy of the legendary RS badge? 

What does the 2025 Aprilia RS 457 cost?

At just $12,540 ride away, the 457 is significantly cheaper than its 660 sibling, but comes in above rival featherweights like the $9,095 KTM RC 390, $10,042 Honda CBR500R, $9,199 Yamaha R3, $8,978 Kawasaki Ninja 500 and $9,290 CFMoto 450SR S. Optioning the RS with ‘Racing Stripes’ paintwork increases the price tag to $12,940.

What powers the 2025 Aprilia RS 457? 

In terms of architecture, the all-new 457cc parallel-twin is effectively the front bank of the mighty RSV4 donk, rebored and retuned in order to meet stricter Euro 5+ emissions regulations. With such a pedigree you’d expect the heart of the 457 to beat with a certain Italian fervour and it doesn’t disappoint, boasting the best power-to-weight ratio in its class with 35kW at 9400 rpm. When you give the RS a fistful it certainly sounds the part, emitting an urgent baritone warble through its underslung exhaust before getting slightly thrashy at the top end. 

On the move it feels surprisingly responsive, helped no doubt by the fact that 82% of its maximum 43.5Nm is available from just 3000rpm. The fuelling is smooth, and it picks up strongly from closed throttle before tailing off slightly at around 8000rpm. I was surprised to find out at the end of the day the 457 also has cylinder deactivation technology, morphing into a single cylinder thumper when the throttle is closed above 2500rpm (i.e. when coasting and braking). The effect is literally not noticeable whether you’re riding flat out or tootling around town, beyond the fact that the 457 is easily capable of squeezing 300 kilometres from its 13-litre tank between refills. 

What equipment does the 2025 Aprilia RS 457 have?

Aprilia has done its best to ensure the 457 isn’t too watered down despite being an entry-level motorcycle. While the rear subframe and swingarm are steel units, it’s the only sportsbike in the 500cc and under category to feature a proper aluminium dual-spar frame, maintaining optimal stiffness whilst keeping wet weight down to just 175kg. 

Suspension duties are handled by a 41 mm inverted fork with 120 mm suspension travel at the front, and a monoshock with 130 mm wheel travel at the rear. Both ends feature adjustable preload. Braking is taken care of by ByBRE, Brembo's more affordable sub-brand, which is fast becoming staple equipment in this segment. The system features a 320 mm single disc with a radial-mounted 4-piston calliper at the front and a 220 mm disc with a single-piston calliper at the rear. ABS is standard at both ends, though the rear ABS can be deactivated. 

What electronics and safety features does the 2025 Aprilia RS 457 have?

This is an area where Aprilia trumps much of its entry-level competition, with the 457 featuring traction control that can be fully deactivated and ride-by-wire with three riding modes including Rain, Eco and Sport modes. All these parameters can be adjusted on the fly via backlit switch block buttons and a beautifully intuitive and clear 5-inch digital TFT dash screen. The traction control cuts in quite early in Rain mode, with the power delivery also heavily curtailed in the lower rev range. In Eco mode the power is noticeably more enthusiastic, though the electronic nannies still step in pretty quickly to curtail slides. In Sport mode I didn’t notice a lot of electronic intervention at all, and all 47.6 horses are allowed free reign whenever you like.

The TFT dash also gives you access to your trip, vehicle and fuel information, and you can even access a lap timer. Full multimedia connectivity with your smartphone is available with the optional Aprilia ‘MIA’ module. 

What is the 2025 Aprilia RS 457 like to ride?

Reading the pre-event run sheet, I was somewhat taken aback that we’d be flogging the 457 around a go-kart track for the first half of the day, but what better way to really test the chassis’ handling capabilities? The 457’s 17-inch rims are shod with Indian-made Protorq Extreme rubber that I hadn’t sampled before, but they worked just like black sticky hoops ought to, warming up quickly and allowing the 457 to be thrown from side to side with serious intent. 

At the circuit the firm suspension worked beautifully, keeping the chassis nicely composed regardless of what lean angles and trail braking shenanigans were thrown at it through the circuit’s tortuously twisty confines. Such stable sure-footedness means you can really concentrate on your technique and lines, making it great fun for more experienced riders but also perfect for newer riders who might be trying to build up their confidence. On the road the ride is unapologetically stiff, but Aprilia has created this bike for riders who want a machine that can handle spirited use, and the 457 definitely fulfills that criterion. 

In terms of riding position, the 457 is sporty but not spine-tormenting. The bar sits higher than the triple clamps and the rearsets are far enough forward so that your hips won’t be screaming for mercy, but you can still adopt a proper racing crouch when you’re pushing on. Large knee indentations on the tank allow you to grip the bike with your knees tenaciously, another RS trademark that’s appreciated when attempting to emulate Maverick ‘Top Gun’ Vinales levels of lean.

On the downside, the front brakes feel a touch wooden and the rear anchor is slightly doughy. The front ABS also intruded a little earlier than I expected a couple of times at the track but the ByBre setup coped with repeated heavy applications without fading. A front calliper that bites with the force of a meth-addict pitbull when you apply the lever probably isn’t ideal for newer riders anyway. Aprilia offers optional racing pads for those that do want a more aggressive feel.

The gearbox and lever mechanism feels suitably snickable but tight, though that’s probably due to my 457 having only just been run in. It worked fine, but the optional quickshifter would improve cog-swapping activities when the going gets hectic.   

Should I buy the 2025 Aprilia RS 457?

Comparing today’s entry-level motorcycles to the crotch rockets I did my motorcycling apprenticeship on, the 457 is extremely capable, and I would hazard to guess it would also outpace its modern-day competition. It’s a well balanced, sporty package for riders who want to grow their skill sets on the road or track, and while it may cost a price premium over its main competitors, when you factor in the 457’s sophistication, Noale styling and athleticism it still represents decent value. An RS Aprilia should handle, go, look and sound like a thoroughbred Italian machine, and while the 457 may be less hardcore than featherweight Aprilia sportsbikes of the past, it’s a worthy addition to the lineage.

ENGINE
Type: 2 parallel forward-facing cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, liquid-cooled with Ride-By-Wire
Capacity: 457cc
Bore x stroke: 69 x 61.1mm
Compression ratio: 10,5:1
 
PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 47.6hp/35 kW at 9400rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 43.5Nm at 6700rpm
 
ELECTRONICS
5-inch TFT Dashboard, 3 Riding Modes, Traction Control (adjustable on the fly), Quick Shift Optional, APRILIA MIA Optional / Smartphone connectivity* Dual channel Bosch ABS system
 
TRANSMISSION
6-speed gearbox (optional Aprilia Quick Shift “AQS” up and down)
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Multi plate wet clutch with assist and slipper system
 
CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Aluminium alloy plates billet machined, with rear swingarm mounting plate
Adjustable spring preload
Rear suspension: Mono shock absorber, Travel 130 mm. Adjustable spring preload
 
BRAKING
Front brakes: 320 mm Floating disk, 4 pistons ByBre calliper, radial mounting attacks.
Rear brake: 220 mm disk, 2 pistons ByBre calliper
Tyres: 17-inch 110/70 front; 17-inch 150/60 rear
 
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 24 degrees

Trail: 102.4 mm
Claimed wet weight: 175kg
Length: 1982,5 mm
Seat height: 800mm
Fuel capacity: 13 litres