The sport bike segment, especially the sub-500cc performance motorcycle segment is catching up in India with the launch of the updated KTM 390 Duke, the soon-to-come RC 390, the Kawasaki Ninja 400, and the recently unveiled Aprilia RS 457. We have reviewed the new 390 Duke and since the updated RC 390 is yet to launch, this leaves us with two sport bikes in the segment — the Ninja 400 and the Aprilia RS 457.
The two fully-faired motorcycles are scaled-down versions of their larger siblings, the ZX-10R and the RSV4, designed to offer performance in a segment that is becoming popular in India. For those in the market looking for either one of them, here’s how they compare against each other.
Aprilia RS 457 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400: Design
Both motorcycles are sporty, and the Aprilia RS 457 draws its design inspiration from its larger siblings, the RS 660 and the RSV4. The fairings look identical, however, the underbelly exhaust is similar to the RS 660. The 457 gets the same split headlight design and the DRLs as its larger siblings, while the rider is tucked down, into the motorcycle, but not as aggressively as the RSV4.
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 looks identical to the 10R as well, in fact, all the Ninja series look identical with the recent facelift. The Ninja 400 features a dual headlight design with an aggressive front fairing and a side-mounted exhaust while offering a marginally relaxed rider’s triangle compared to the ZX-4R or the 10R.
Aprilia RS 457 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400: Engine specifications
Both motorcycles are tuned for performance, as mentioned earlier and they are both powered by a twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
| Specifications | RS 457 | Ninja 400 |
| Displacement | 457cc | 399cc |
| Power | 47bhp | 45bhp |
| Torque | 49Nm | 37Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Weight | 175kg (wet) | 168kg |
Comparing the two, the Aprilia has a larger displacement, thus making marginally more power and 12Nm of extra torque compared to the Kawasaki Ninja 400, however, the Japanese motorcycle weighs lesser than the Italian.
Aprilia RS 457 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400: Features and equipment
The Aprilia RS 457 gets adjustable USD forks, a monoshock at the rear, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, 17-inch wheels wrapped in 110 front and 150-section rear tyres, full LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT display, three levels of traction control, ride modes, and an optional quickshifter.
The Ninja 400 gets telescopic non-adjustable front forks, a monoshock at the rear, 17-inch wheels wrapped in 110-section front and 150-section rear tyres, a semi-digital instrument cluster, disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, and LED headlights amongst others. The Ninja gets no riding modes or traction control.
Aprilia RS 457 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400: Which one should you choose?
On paper, the Aprilia is more tempting as it has more power, better adjustability, better equipment, and electronic aids, however, more details will be known when we ride it. The Ninja offers old-school motorcycling with no aids and the twin-cylinder unit is an extremely reliable one.
So if one has to choose, it would come down to service, as Aprilia has yet to decide on the service network for the RS 457, while Kawasaki has a service network, but it is extremely unreliable, with most spares requiring a 15 to 20-day waiting period. So if you are to choose, we strongly recommend a test ride on both motorcycles first.
