Ever since the Aprilia RS457 came to the Indian market, enthusiasts have wanted the naked sibling — the Tuono 457. Finally, we have it. First showcased at EICMA, the new Tuono 457 had mixed impressions owing to its design and its dimension compared to the RS457. Now, having ridden it, we need to say we are impressed, but with a few concerns. So here’s our first ride review of the Aprilia Tuono 457.
Aprilia Tuono 457 first ride review — First impressions and design
These are aspirational motorcycles and the design has a lot to do to impress buyers. That said, the Tuono 457 is a good-looking motorcycle. It has the right dimensions – not too big or small – and from the side, the new tank shrouds and the exposed frame make the Tuono attractive. The rear tail section is identical to the RS457 — narrow. The front …
Aprilia has moved away from the traditional Tuono design — a half fairing with split headlights. This gives the Tuono 457 a new look — good or bad, is subjective, but I would have preferred the half-fairing. The motorcycle retails an iteration of the split DRL design with the headlight stacked vertically. Overall, the design from the front is new and will take some getting used to.
Aprilia Tuono 457 first ride review — Ride, performance, and handling
This is where the new Tuono 457 sets a niche for itself. The motorcycle feels compact between the legs and at five foot seven, I felt the motorcycle was a perfect fit. There is plenty of room and the new handlebar gives the rider a more upright posture, while the foot positioning is still sporty, because it has been carried over from the RS457.
The exhaust note is something of interest and is sure to turn heads, and the motorcycle offers plenty of low-end grunt. Aprilia has gone with one tooth higher for the rear sprocket and the result is evident — the motorcycle has on-demand power at any revs. The motorcycle is brisk on straight roads and the 47bhp of power is delivered in a smooth but sporty manner.
Show the motorcycle some corners and it leans in like it’s on rails. Aprilia wants the Tuono 457 to be a great handling motorcycle and that’s been achieved. The suspension setup is the same as the RS457 and is set up on the stiffer side, but not too stiff to shatter bones. It takes in the road imperfections well, but large craters – something that Indian roads are becoming famous for – do upset the front.
| Engine specifications | Aprilia Tuono 457 |
| Displacement | 457 cc, liquid-cooled twin |
| Power | 46.9 bhp |
| Torque | 43.5 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-Speed |
| Ride modes | Eco, Sport and Rain |
Aprilia Tuono 457 first ride review — Electronics
Making the package whole is the set of electronic nannies the Tuono has to offer. There are four levels of traction control – including off – and three ride modes. The ride modes do not change the power output but alter the power delivery. Eco has the mellowest power delivery while Sport mode has a brisk response, but not as violent as the 390 Duke.
Our ride was around the twisty roads of Nandi hills and on a beautiful bright day — this means that there was extremely minimal to no intervention of the traction control system. Also, the TFT display is the same unit and offers phone connectivity and notifications along with navigation.
Aprilia Tuono 457 first ride review — Should you buy one?
The first aspect I really wanted to check was the brakes — while there has been an improvement, there is room for a lot more. The brakes always remain at the back of one’s head, killing the fun aspect the Tuono 457 has to offer. Aprilia says that the brake pads are now sintered compared to the organic pads that were previously used.
The next aspect that should be given importance is the reach for the brake and clutch levers. The levers are non-adjustable and the reach is a bit far. Now, Aprilia offers adjustable levers as an accessory, however, with a Rs 3.95 lakh price tag, these need to be standard.
With the niggles out of the way, should you consider the Tuono 457? The Aprilia Tuno 457 is a fast motorcycle and it handles well. However, it is almost a lakh more expensive than the segment leader, the KTM 390 Duke, which offers similar performance, extremely good handling, and all the electronic goodies the Tuono gets, along with a few extra — adjustable levers are standard and so is a bidirectional quickshifter.
That said, Italian motorcycles have always demanded a premium over their competitors and for a person who won’t mind shelling out some extra money for a fast street naked, the Tuono 457 cannot be the wrong choice. We strongly say get a test ride – which commences in March – and decide, because the Tuono 457 is fun.
