Aprilia RS 457 vs. the competition

With the Aprilia RS 457 already in the Philippines, riders looking to acquire an athletic middle-weight bike have received another potent option to consider.

Notably, the Noale-based motorcycle company’s dashingly styled ride uses a 457-cubic centimeter (cc) liquid-cooled two-cylinder engine capable of producing up to 47.6 horsepower (hp) and 43.5 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. Its gearshifting, on the other hand, is done through a six-speed gearbox equipped with a multi-plate wet-type clutch fitted with a slipper system.  

The aforementioned powertrain goes along with a dual beam aluminum frame chassis equipped with a 41-millimeter (mm) adjustable upside-down fork and an adjustable monoshock rear suspension. Stopping power for the RS 457, meanwhile, is provided by 320-mm front and 220-mm rear discs with Brembo calipers. 

For its front end, the Aprilia motorcycle uses 17-inch x 13-inch aluminum wheels. The rear of the bike, meanwhile, uses 17-inch x 4.5-inch wheels. 

Other noteworthy amenities of the Aprilia RS 457 include LED headlamps, dual-channel anti-lock braking, an anti-roll-over system, traction control, a five-inch digital instrument panel, metal braided brake hoses, ride-by-wire technology, and backlit handlebar controls. 

Pricing for the RS 457 ranges from P348,000-P358,000 for the Philippine market. 

So, how does the Aprilia RS 457 compare to its similarly-sized segment rivals? Let’s find out. 

Kawasaki Ninja 500

One big rival of the red-hued Aprilia RS 457 is the black and green Kawasaki Ninja 500. 

At the maximum, the Japanese middle-weight sports bike’s 451-cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled mill can push out 51.3 hp and 42.6 Nm of torque. Gearshifting for the Ninja 500 is done through a six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch. 

Ride comfort and handling for the Ninja are provided by a telescopic front fork and a bottom-link Uni-Trak adjustable gas-charged shock. 

Other notable features of the Kawasaki model include anti-lock braking, a digital instrument gauge, 310-mm semi-floating front disc brakes, and smartphone connectivity.

Pricing for the Kawasaki Ninja 500 for the Philippine market starts at P353,000. 

Yamaha YZF-R3

Rivaling the Italian bike for Yamaha is the YZF-R3. 

For propulsion, the middle-weight Japanese bike uses a liquid-cooled two-cylinder 321-cc mill paired with a six-speed constant mesh transmission. At the most, the said engine can produce 41 hp and 29.6 Nm of torque. 

Regarding its clutch type, the Yamaha model uses a wet, multiple-disc setup. Handling and ride comfort, meanwhile, are governed by an upside-down telescopic front fort and a swingarm for the rear. The Yamaha model also uses disc brakes for the front and rear. 

Notable features of the YZF-R3 include a digital meter panel, anti-lock braking, and LED lighting fixtures. 

Price-wise, the Yamaha YZF-R3 is set at P291,000. 

KTM RC 390

Likewise facing the Aprilia RS 457 is the KTM RC 390. 

For power, the orange-colored motorcycle is propelled by a 373-cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, which is good for 43 hp and 37 Nm of torque. 

The said engine is paired with a mechanically operated anti-hopping clutch and six gears. The Mattighofen-based bike company’s sport bike also uses a monoshock rear suspension, as well as a fully adjustable open-cartridge type fork known as the AP Apex 43.  

Stopping power for the RC 390 is done by front and rear disc brakes. It is also equipped with cast aluminum wheels, a digital gauge, anti-lock braking, and clip-on handlebars.

For the Philippine market, the KTM RC 390 is priced at P300,000. 

Honda CBR500R

Another competitor of the Aprilia RS 457 is the Honda CBR500R. 

At the maximum, the CBR 500R’s two-cylinder, liquid-cooled 471-cc engine can push out 47 hp and 43.2 Nm of torque. The said engine is married to a six-speed gearbox, which is manipulated by a wet-type multi-plate clutch. 

For its front suspension, the Honda bike uses a 41-mm Showa inverted fork. Its suspension, meanwhile, is a Pro-Link monoshock with a 5-stage pre-load adjuster. Braking for the CBR500R is done by dual 296-mm front discs and a single 240-mm disc for the rear. 

The Honda model also has 17-inch front and rear wheels, anti-lock braking, a liquid crystal instrument cluster, an LED headlamp, and an LED taillight. 

 For the Philippines, the Honda CBR500R’s price is set at P389,000. 

Also read: 

Aprilia PH launches RS 457

PH-spec Aprilia RS 457 to be unveiled next month

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