The sub 500cc sport motorcycle segment consists of the KTM RC 390, Kawasaki Ninja 400 and the recently unveiled Aprilia RS 457.
The KTM RC 390 is soon to get an update with a larger engine as seen on the KTM 390 Duke.
This leaves the new Aprilia RS 457 and the Kawasaki Ninja battling it out to see which is the better motorcycle in the segment.
The new RS 457 borrows its design style from the larger RS 660 and the RSV4 and gets an underbelly exhaust and clip on bars.
The Ninja 400 gets its styling cues from the larger ZX-10R, with a split headlight design, clip on bars, and a side-mounted exhaust.
The Aprilia gets adjustable USD forks, a monoshock, 17-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT dash, traction control, and dual-channel ABS.
The Ninja 400 gets telescopic forks, a monoshock, 17-inch wheels, LED lighting, dual channel ABS, and a semi-digital instrument console.
The RS 457 is powered by a 457cc, liquid-cooled twin cylinder engine that makes 47bhp and 49Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
The Ninja 400 gets a 399cc, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine that makes 45bhp and 37Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
On paper, the Aprilia is more powerful and has more features compared to the Ninja, however, the Ninja is popular around the world as an entry-level sport bike.