When the Aprilia RS 457 was launched, the first ride event was held at Kari Motor Speedway. For a motorcycle from Noale, the racetrack was obviously the perfect choice. After just a few laps, we knew that we had something special at hand. Despite our time with the RS 457 being brief at the first ride event, it impressed us enough to get one. 

Not too long after, the Aprilia RS 457 became a part of the xBhp Garage. While we have ridden our RS 457 a lot and enjoyed every minute of it, we did not get to take it where it belongs. It was either out on public roads or resting at the MotoVilla. That was all set to change as we got an invite to join R.A.C.R. open-track days at the Buddh International Circuit. In addition to a few more machines from the xBhp Garage, taking our RS 457 there was a given! 

Now, as we mentioned earlier, our time with the RS 457 on Kari was limited, but here, we had no such constraints. Obviously, we could not ride it all day, but still, we got a substantial amount of time and a fair few laps of the BIC with the RS 457. Our trusted Dr Manan Chaturvedi/Shuttervedi was the one who did the honours. If we have to sum it up, it reaffirmed our belief that the RS 457 is indeed a very special motorcycle. 

It might just be a 457cc parallel-twin, but the RS 457 has a fair bit of grunt even for a racetrack like the BIC. It obviously did not overshadow the litre class rockets out there, but we did not expect it to either. Our goal was to push it to its limits and see how far it can go. And to be honest, we reached our limits before the motorcycle did. 

Talking about how it fared, the engine on the RS 457 is a gem. Riding on a big racetrack like BIC, we really came to appreciate the wide powerband of the RS 457. There is power almost everywhere in the rev range. The engine did especially well in the tighter sections where it offered us a ton of shove out of the corners. 

Our Aprilia RS 457 was shod with Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres. We have seen them work their magic on the roads but even on the racetrack, these tyres performed flawlessly. Truly one of the best, if not the best, in class.

But again, handling is where the RS 457 impresses the most. It is a surgical tool in that regard. It is quick in directional changes and quite planted even through longer and more flowing corners. The agility almost catches you off guard. 

Aprilia have always been known for making very well-handling machines and the RS 457 keeps that tradition up. In true Aprilia fashion, the chassis and geometry are bang-on! The suspension is not fully-adjustable, but even the stock settings worked just fine for our rider’s frame and offered enough confidence and support to really wring the RS 457 for all it has to offer. 

We can only imagine what a race-prepped RS 457 would feel like… all the extras shed, racing brake lines and brake pads, slick tyres, and all of the sorts. Come to think about that, we might give it a shot ourselves. Till then, we sign off and leave you with this: if you have an RS 457 and get the opportunity to ride it on a racetrack, DO IT and see what it feels like to #beARacer…