Small Cap Aprilia RS457 – Aprilia say that the eventual race series is designed to offer an entry point to motorsport whilst keeping the costs of racing to a minimum. As such, the bikes will feature basic changes from standard including race-ready bodywork, an SC Project exhaust system, and revised suspension componentry.
Aprilia already produce a larger RS660 Trofeo to compete in a one-make race series, which uses the standard 99bhp 660 as a base, and it’s likely that the smaller 457 version will have no internal engine revisions – with the SC Project system providing a marginal lift.
The revised suspension appears to consist of a fully adjustable Öhlins shock, plus updated internals within the standard 41mm blacked out fork tubes. The bodywork, meanwhile, is dressed in a MotoGP inspired livery and features no slots for road going essentials like mirrors.
The seat has been stripped away to a thin piece of foam – further-harnessing its competition quality.
Aftermarket rearsets should assist with bigger lean angles, with a subtle engine protector visible on the bottom half of the right-side casing providing some security in a fall.
Oddly, despite its racing disposition and Pirelli stickers on the front mudguard, the bike seen at Eicma features a pair of basic TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme tyres – unlikely to provide the performance needed in a racing setting. The ABS sensors also appear to be in place but will almost certainly be removed for racing.
A design so unique that it seems hand-drawn.
The full LED front headlight features the signature lighting style of the latest Aprilia generation, complete with integrated turn signals. The instrumentation uses an effective 5-inch TFT colour instrument while the handlebar controls are backlit.
Lightness, ease of riding and technological equipment are the strong points of the new Aprilia RS 457, capable of exalting every rider, both on the road and on the track. The grit of the new RS 457 is in fact that of the legendary RS range: the super sports bike model that made motorbike history.
Three colour schemes
The RS 457 heralds the arrival of three colours that celebrate the very essence of the RS.
The contrast of red details against the dark background of the Prismatic Dark option is a homage to Aprilia’s fascinating history. With its iconic combination of red, black and purple, Racing Stripes is clearly inspired by MotoGP, finished with a nod to the RS-GP in the form of the word “Aprilia” emblazoned on the front win.
The revolutionary and instantly recognisable Opalescent Light conceals the innate aggressive attitude of the RS beneath an elegant shade of white.