It was previewed here a year ago and now Aprilia’s new LAMS-legal RS 457 is set to go on sale in New Zealand priced at $10,590 plus on-roads. Aprilia is offering a free quickshifter device for the first 10 units sold in the premium Racing Stripes colour. This comes at a $400 premium ($10,990 + ORCs). The RS 457 goes head to head with the likes of Honda’s CB 500 R, Kawasaki’s Ninja 500 and CFMOTO’s 450 SR.
Aprilia is offering a new generation of motorcyclists something sporty, stylish and attainable in its RS 457, following in the footsteps of the popular RS 660.
The 457 strengths are its light weight (175kg wet), ease of handling, and high level of tech. Ergonomics feature clip-on handlebars mounted above the upper steering plate. This is evidently a good compromise for a mix of sporty riding on road and day to day comfort.
Styling uses RS 660 cues. There’s a double fairing with three full LED headlights and integrated turn signals. A short two-into-one exhaust pipe ends in a stubby underbody muffler. Its tail section features two lateral winglets. The 800mm seat is slender along the sides for an easier standover. A single seat tail is available as an accessory.
A liquid-cooled parallel-twin powers the sporty LAMS contender. It creates 35kW at 9400 rpm and 44Nm at 6700 rpm. Power to weight is 132kW/tonne, comfortably inside the 150 LAMS figure. Over 80 per cent of torque is on tap by 3000rpm.
The engine features friction reduction techniques, while a multiplate wet clutch is servo assisted and has a slipper system.
A ride-by-wire throttle enables three ride modes. Eco is for daily riding, Sport for just that, and Rain for slippery conditions.
The RS 457 is the only bike in its segment with an aluminium frame. It consists of two lateral aluminium spars bolted together front and rear. The engine is used as a stressed element and provides a connection point for the steel swingarm.
Suspension comprises a 41mm fork and rear monoshock, both preload adjustable. Up front is a 320mm disc, slowed by a ByBre radial-mounted four-piston calliper. The brake lever is span adjustable. Wheels are 17-inch in diameter with a 110/70 tyre at the front and a 150/60 at the rear. Electronics, aside from ABS, include a three-level TC system that can be switched off.
A five-inch colour TFT display contains all the critical info while an Aprilia MIA app allows smartphone integration and navigation.
Aprilia RS 457 is available in three colours. There’s Racing Stripes in black, red, and violet, Prismatic Dark and Opalescent Light, essentially black and white, matched with red wheel rims. Amongst the many accessories is a quickshifter, racing pads, an oversized screen and a comfort saddle. There’s also Aprilia apparel on offer.
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