Aprilia Tuono 457: First Ride Review

The Visuals

Aprilia avoided slapping the same headlamp section as the bigger Tuonos straight onto the 457 with subtle changes. Instead, the company went back to the drawing board and came up with what looks like a bug face-inspired, profoundly radical front fascia, which I personally find visually admirable. Accompanying this are sharp tank extensions that blend neatly with the rest of the bodywork, which is almost identical to that of the RS457.

While design is a subjective matter, the Tuono should impress every onlooker in the quality department. The fit and finish shout Italian and look really premium for this class. Be it the finishing of its cast aluminium frame or the paint quality on its sculpted fuel tank, everything is opulent.

The Package

Stripping off the fairing should have ideally helped Aprilia shave off some weight from the RS457. However, at 175kg, the kerb weight is the same as its sportbike sibling, mainly due to the heavy headlamp section. While the fuel tank looks visually identical, it is 300ml smaller at 12.7 litres. As for the engine, it’s the same 457cc, parallel-twin motor with a 270-degree crank, which continues to produce 47bhp and 43.5Nm. However, the rear sprocket has one tooth extra for stronger acceleration, and most of the torque comes in at 3,000rpm.

What remains the same is the aluminium frame, which is suspended by USD forks and a monoshock, both of which offer preload adjustability. Similarly, it has the same braking setup with a 320mm and 220mm discs at the front and rear, respectively, along with dual-channel ABS. The seat height of 800mm has also remained unchanged.

Furthermore, the list of features is also identical on both 457s. There’s a five-inch TFT screen that shows a host of information. This display is Bluetooth-enabled and gives access to turn-by-turn navigation, music control, and SMS and call alerts. Moreover, there are three ride modes that alter the way power is delivered and tweak the ABS and traction control intervention. You can also select your choice of TC setting separately.

The Ride

As I hopped on the Tuono and got going, what impressed me instantly was the tractability this engine offers. It can do 40kmph in sixth gear without throwing any tantrums and pulls cleanly without requiring a downshift. This is commendable for an engine that’s focused on delivering thrilling performance. Making it further accessible and friendly are the super light clutch and the gearbox, which is not really slick but offers a satisfying mechanical clunk.

But this Italian twin truly comes into its element when you start getting generous with the throttle. There’s a strong punch right from 3,000rpm, and it revs to the redline too quickly for its displacement. You’ll constantly want to give it a handful of throttle while charging up a straight and advance through the gears vigorously, as all of it feels profoundly engaging. The engine sounds a bit gruff in the lower revs and lets out a loud and bassy growl after 4,000rpm, which makes the experience further entertaining. I couldn’t stop grinning every time I had the opportunity to go gung-ho on free sections of the road.

Then came the corners of Nandi hills, and I was further blown away by how willingly the Tuono drops into corners and holds your desired line without a hint of reluctance or twitchiness. And it’s not just the agility which is smile-inducing but also the bike’s tendency to forgive your mistakes and retain its composure. Be it long sweepers or tight hairpins, the Tuono feels equally predictable. Adding further confidence to push it around corners are the brakes. While the bite from the front caliper isn’t incredibly strong, there is enough stopping power to brake hard and late into corners without much hesitation. However, the front brake lever could do with more feel.

While the route charted for us was mostly smooth and well-paved, some of the small sections had broken tarmac where the suspension setup felt absorbent. Although the setup is far from being plush and has a hint of firmness, it mostly feels settled with minimal movement or kickback. We are glad that Aprilia has incorporated preload adjustment at both ends, as that should give riders some liberty to set the bike up as per their weight.

The seating ergonomics offered by the Tuono 457 might not be to everyone’s taste. The upper body settles fairly upright with a little crouch to reach the wide, tubular handlebar. However, since the footpeg position is exactly the same as the RS457, the rider’s knees are bent quite acutely, which caused me some inconvenience in the initial few minutes of riding. It started feeling more bearable and involving after I spent some time in the saddle, honing the bike in the hills.

Should you buy it?

For those who want a decently comfortable yet extremely sporty and entertaining multi-cylinder naked street bike under Rs. 5 lakh, there’s nothing like the Aprilia Tuono 457 in the market. If you can make do with the sporty seating ergonomics, the Tuono 457 will plaster a smile equally wide on both beginner’s and an experienced rider’s faces.

The engine delivers a tremendous punch in the mid-range while emanating a sweet bassy sound. And with its beautifully engineered chassis and hardware package, taking on corners is pure joy. Moreover, with a tractable engine and majorly comfortable ride quality, you won’t shy away from reaching for the keys of the Tuono 457 for your daily commutes. I just wish Aprilia was offering the quick shifter as standard, which, as of now, comes as an optional accessory for a staggering Rs. 20,050.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi